The world was on pause for the last few months, but now many nations are slowly starting to open and relax guidelines around social distancing. Throughout Canada, people are getting into the groove of enjoying outdoor seating at restaurants and meeting with friends in small groupings. Though countless couples had to postpone or cancel weddings due to the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, those who decided to get engaged before or during the quarantine are looking at their futures in a more practical way. One thought on many of their minds: how to start planning for an engagement party.
While you might not be able to host a large gathering at the moment, this doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about what you’d like to do down the line. Consider these tips and be sure you have all the information you need to plan an event you can throw at a later date.
What Does It Look Like?
Engagement parties are not a tradition for many. In fact, having this type of preliminary event is a fairly recent trend. The decision to have one falls entirely on the couple, as does what is requested of guests. Be considerate of several things in this regard. Having this type of event and encouraging gifts can be a bit presumptuous, especially considering the guests will provide gifts for the wedding itself. You might find it much more appealing to have a relaxed event without formal pretense or the need for typical traditions.
As you imagine your perfect engagement event, try to think about the reason for the gathering. You likely already announced your engagement, so this party is more about celebrating the decision. This means you should keep it as modest as possible, saving the real money for your nuptials. Though many people state you should not wait longer than a few months after the proposal to throw this type of party, those cultural norms flew out the window the moment the novel coronavirus decided to sweep the globe. Do what works for you and seems reasonable to request of your guests.
Who Should Be There?
Unlike a wedding, which can easily err on the side of a large crowd, engagement parties are typically small affairs. According to etiquette, you should only invite people you intend to invite to your actual wedding. It can be considered a great insult to invite a friend to the engagement party and not to the event itself, barring some tiff between you and the individual that would cause a serious divide. Try to only include the friends you plan on having in your wedding party or who have been with you for many years.
Whether you have the party in your home or at a local restaurant, it will cost you some amount of money to host this gathering. Keep the guest list simple and you’ll have a much easier time saving your funds for what comes later.
Who Pays for This?
Since this is not a tradition in the same way the wedding is, paying for the event depends largely on familial or cultural customs. The most popular belief throughout Canada and the United States is that the family of the bride should pay for the first gathering associated with the wedding. Since this is normally the engagement party, many people turn to the bride’s parents to cover the costs. This is not a widespread practice, however, and you should fully expect to pay for this event yourself if you plan on throwing it.
An engagement party might not be totally possible at the present moment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be ready for when the world opens back up. Take time to plan and learn how you can find the right path for your future.