Engagement

Engagement Party Yay or Nay??

We are not having/planning to have an engagement party. We have been engaged now for almost 7 months and hopefully will tie the knot sometime next year (no date set). However, I have always thought it would be fun to go out and eat with some friends and call it "our engagement party".. But we'll see.. I think you should do whatever YOU want to do!!! An engagement party would be nice with maybe just a few friends, like something I was thinking and just go out to eat. Nothing extravagent. Just simple and fun!

We're having it at this bar/grill place that has a private party room upstairs. I mean the food is super simple, pizzas, burgers and stuff like that. Nothing super fancy. I would just invite people to our house and cook myself but we don't have the space for 30-40 people (big families!)

Whatever works for you!!  ;)  Sounds fun!

It sounds like it would be a lot of fun to have one! My fiance and I had one and we had already been together for a few years. But the celebration is nice. Be sure to make it about you and your FH and share the joy with everyone there.

okay, I can TOTALLY relate!
I've been engaged for a while too, so alot of people made comments when I mentioned a party too.  We decided not to have one,,
But here's my advice:
1. Honestly, if you wanted 3 engagement parties, a cocktail party, an english tea, and a brunch in the honor of your wedding, and you were paying for it, then its no one else's business but yours!!!
Whoever told you its tacky, needs to back off. and I promise, the comments like that dont stop. I get things all the time like: "I hope you're not going cheap on favors" etc.
Dont let them sway how YOU two feel. and just because that friend thinks its tacky, doesnt mean everyone else will too. engagement parties are normal, lots of people have them.

If you want to be safe, though, if you want to make sure your guests dont feel like youre trying to get stuff out of them, send out the invites with a cute quote like:
"NO PRESENTS, just your PRESENCE is appreciated." (make sure you dont mix them up!LOL!) It means no gifts, just come!
You can even say, the only thing wed like you to bring is a smile!

So they know you're just trying to celebrate the occasion.

Which brings me to my number 2.
2. The reason I decided against having an engagement party, is it all became ALOT. People knew we were engaged, and months later, we were going to see our families for Easter. So we got lots of hugs, and congrats on that day. It feels like a HUGE waste of money to me. I mean youll have a bridal shower, a bachelorette party, a rehearsal dinner, etc. and plenty of time to see family before the wedding. If you dont need an engagement party, I say, opt out and save the money for a better honeymoon, or gorgeous shoes!!

Either way, remember that the choice is no ones other than YOU and your man. You're a family, before youre extended one is concerned, and it's how you feel, and what YOU want. Especially if you are paying for it!!

PS Congrats on the babies!! My daughter is almost 4, and time goes by SO fast!!

Thanks everyone! We decided to go ahead and have the party like we planned. Everyone is really excited and upset when we thought of cancelling. My bridesmaids even threatened to throw us a suprise one even tho we hate surprise parties lol but we're gonna call it a celebration party instead! Just celebrating the engagement my birthday FH starting grad school aand the official opening of my store. That way its more in celebration of our blessings and not just the wedding! And micaylax it does go by fast! Thanks again!