5 Reasons Why You Should Throw an Engagement Party

So you might have read my article about why engagement parties are… not really my thing. BUT it’s my goal to be more positive or whatever so I’m doing my very best to see the other side. So here it is: why you SHOULD have an engagement party–from someone who hates engagement parties.

But First…

Here’s what an engagement party is in the traditional sense. A party, held in the first few months of an engagement, to celebrate the occasion and kick off the wedding festivities. It also can help wedding guests to get to know each other before the actual big day. It’s traditionally held by the parents of the folks getting married, but most couples nowadays choose to throw it themselves or have other loved ones host. Engagement parties can span from being very formal to more casual.

Gathering the Facts

I was a little confused about the appeal of engagement parties, so I decided to watch some YouTube videos to see what it was all about.

First, I watched Rachel Autenrieth’s engagement party video from her wedding series. The first part of the video details travel, outfits, and Rachel’s life. The actual engagement party content doesn’t kick in until 11:51, if you want to skip ahead. The couple’s friends hosted the bash in the their hometown. It was filled with food, family, friends, and games. I was in love with the intimacy of the event and how the influencer chose a more low-key vibe instead of going all out.

Next, I watched Natalie Muñoz’s video; the whole thing was shot on the day of her engagement party. It was a larger scale than the party in the other video (honestly, it looked like a gorgeous wedding). While it was a bigger production, the values were the same–bringing together loved ones and starting the process of blending two families.

5 Big Reasons to Do It

So I’ve looked at the influencers and done some extensive research. I can now definitively claim some of the reasons why you should have an engagement party.

1. Your People WANT to Celebrate

The people you love are so excited for you right now and want to do something ASAP. Giving them a game plan on how and when to celebrate y’all is honestly going to lessen the feeling of being pulled into a bunch of different directions.

2. See if You Have What it Takes

Do you have what it takes to plan a wedding? You’ll see after you set up this shindig. Work out some of the kinks in planning, see how you and your partner can support each other when making these kinds of decisions, and maybe even test out a caterer you’re interested in.

3. You Can Do Whatever You Want

People have very few expectations about what an engagement party should look like (unlike a bach party or wedding ceremony). Yes, you’ll probably want to provide food of some kind, but otherwise the world is kinda your oyster. Set the tone for your wedding or use it as the place to get your informal wiggles and jiggles out.

4. People Will Recognize Each Other at the Ceremony

There is probably no world where, without an engagement party, your spouse’s childhood friend and your second cousin are meeting before the wedding. This will help people feel less awkward at the ceremony and liven up the reception. Plus, getting to know people is a process. Maybe you and your fiance’s parents have met a few times, but it never hurts to build the relationship further.

5. Parties Are Fun!

You have an excuse so… throw one! This is like one of the #1 most sentimental times in your life! You getting married doesn’t come around every year.

Maybe I’m not totally sold on the extravagant engagement party, but I think I have a better understanding of why a person might consider throwing one. For more content on rethinking traditions and putting your own spin on things, check out 6 Wedding Traditions to Ditch…and 3 to Keep.

Planning

6 min

The First 5 Things To Plan For Your Bachelorette Party

By Aisha Ozaslan

The bachelorette party is the last fling before the ring, so let’s plan the damn thing! Whether you’re partying the night away with penis-shaped paraphernalia or more of a besties, wine and in bed by nine types of girls, we’re here to help you plan an unforgettable bachelorette party perfect for your bride’s personality. We asked the experts at Bach to Basic, a party planning service for bachelors and bachelorettes, to share the first five things brides or their maids of honor should check off their list.

It’s a DATE

The most important step in the planning process? Booking a date on the calendar that works for you and all your besties. We recommend picking a date or a couple of options for dates so you can see how many people are available! Additionally, this gives ample time to open up the invite to anyone outside your wedding party if you want too! The more heads up you can give to your “I do crew” the better… you might be surprised at how far ahead people’s calendars are booked, especially during the wedding season!

Pick a Place to Party

Once you’ve settled the business of the date, dive into the fun part — picking a destination! Make sure the bride is included in this conversation! Ask her what kind of vibe she’s looking for… as it may be different from your ideas. Once you have narrowed down your options, do some research to find the perfect spot.

Going Local?

Sometimes the best places to celebrate are just down the road. Save some money on travel and have a stay-cation! For the low key bride, a good old fashioned sleepover or movie night is always a blast. There’s nothing like enjoying your favorite places with your favorite people, you could do brunch at one of your favorite places or an afternoon at a brewery/winery. A day of pampering at a spa could be just what the doctor calls for for a stressed out bride.

Since you’re saving money on location, put that money towards something you’ve always wanted to do – like a paint-and-sip event or a cooking class. Turn a familiar spot into a new destination with a little extra planning and decoration, like unique lighting to transform your venue.

Prefer a Destination Party?

Think of your bride and her style when you think about a location. What are her favorite things to do? Does she prefer a busy city or a quiet countryside? Would she prefer an all out trip to Vegas or a Malibu beach house? Remember to consider the date you picked and the weather of the location as well. Some of the most popular bachelorette destinations include Los Angeles, New York City, Nashville, Miami, Austin, Texas and Scottsdale, Arizona. However, don’t be afraid to go outside the norm, remember it’s all about how the bride wants to celebrate!

“We recommend checking out apps like Google Flights to find the best deals if you plan on flying out. Lose the overwhelming list of prices and options by narrowing down your search to your budget. Why fly somewhere for $600 when you can have an equally great time flying for $300?”
Allison from Bach to Basic

Budget Up!

Don’t skip this one! We get it — it’s not fun, but if you don’t figure out where everyone stands, it might lead to some awkward conversations down the line.

If the Bride Wants, What the Bride Wants…

Make it clear to the group so they can opt in or out early on. Maybe it’s important to you to fly out to an expensive getaway for the weekend or book a spot at a world-class hotel. Whatever the reason, let your guests know ahead of time if the high price isn’t something they can pay or you can cover. Brides will also want to consider expectations for airfare and if they’re willing to cover or share the cost of your bridesmaids’ flights if it’s a pricier trip.

If You Want Everyone to Attend…

Find out what price ranges your party is comfortable with so you have a starting point to work with. Additionally, offering the option to pay in installments overtime could make all the difference to some.

Bachelorette gifts — Image Credit: Blissful Haze Photography

Lastly, it can help to leave a little room in your budget for any unexpected needs — or wants — at the last second, like an Insta-worthy decor piece or tickets to a fancy dinner performance. Clear up expectations early on so that everyone is on the same page and aren’t surprised by any changes. When it comes to keeping track of who owes who for purchases like dinner or groceries, we recommend you download the app Splitwise! The app allows you to input any purchases made and then at the end of the trip settles up what everyone owes. There’s no right or wrong to a budget — as long you communicate it!

Look For Lodging

This is the next biggest piece to the bachelorette puzzle. Do you plan to be out all day and just need a place to crash, or are you splurging on a luxurious getaway experience? Are there things to do nearby, and if not, is there transportation available?

Staying in a mountainside cabin versus a hotel downtown in a big city will massively change what your itinerary can look like. We recommend looking into Airbnb or VRBO for bigger groups as it will likely be more cost effective than multiple hotel rooms and gives the option for you to cook your own meals.

This will most likely be one of, if not the biggest budget items to account for. Depending on what you imagine as your perfect bachelorette weekend, accommodations might take up very little of your budget or eat up a big chunk.

Don’t Start With Decor and Details

We know — one of the first things on our list of what you start with…is not decorate?! The fun of focusing on the details might even be the best part of planning your bachelorette, but trust the experts when we say: save the best for last.

If you’re so focused on what your Insta pictures are going to look like in your matching outfits, you’ll forget you have a whole weekend to account for. Start by organizing the itinerary for the whole weekend and avoid missing out on the important things — plus, avoid having any disgruntled guests!

Once you’ve sorted out the big pieces, dive into the details. Without the weight of everything else to plan on your shoulders, you can take your time with it and have fun!

Have Fun!

Make party planning a fun team event with your BFFs or delegate the task to a professional like Bach to Basic to plan stress-free. Whichever you decide on, starting with these five tips will help you plan the perfect bachelorette party for your personality.