The Perfect Time for Your Engagement Party: Don’t Make This Common Timing Mistake!
Congratulations—you (or someone you know) just got engaged! The excitement is real, and soon enough, you'll start wondering when to kick off the celebrations. If you're unsure about the timing of your engagement party, we're here to clear up the confusion. Whether hosted by the couple, their parents, or a close friend, the engagement party is a special occasion for loved ones from both sides to meet and celebrate the upcoming wedding. So, when’s the best time to throw an engagement party? Keep reading to find out the ideal timing and everything you need to consider before setting a date.
When Should You Have an Engagement Party? The perfect time to host an engagement party is typically two to three months after the proposal.
This timing is based on the typical engagement length, which averages around 15 months for most couples. It allows you to savor the excitement of being newly engaged for a few weeks while still leaving plenty of time for crucial wedding planning tasks like venue shopping, menu tastings, and honeymoon arrangements. If your wedding is less than a year away, it's best to hold the engagement party within a month of the proposal. In that case, the celebration might be smaller and more informal to fit the tighter timeline.
Things to Consider About When to Have Your Engagement Party
There’s no rush to celebrate right away...
Unlike most other prewedding events, the timing for engagement parties is flexible. While there is a recommended window for hosting your engagement party, it’s perfectly fine to take your time planning the event, especially if your wedding date is still far off. Whether you’re envisioning a casual backyard gathering or a formal, fully-styled affair, giving yourself extra time to coordinate the details can ensure your party turns out exactly how you want it to be.
...But it's best to host the party before diving into wedding planning.
After three or four months, you or the engaged couple will likely be deep into the wedding to-do list. To avoid adding extra stress, we recommend celebrating the engagement before fully immersing yourself in wedding planning. Remember, there are other prewedding events to follow, like the wedding shower and bachelor or bachelorette parties, so it’s important to leave enough time for those as well.
Decide who will host and who will be invited.
When planning an engagement party, the timing can depend on who’s hosting. If you, as the engaged couple, are organizing the event yourselves, you might prioritize it and finalize the details quickly. However, if a friend or family member is hosting in your honor, they may need additional time to plan while managing their own schedule. It’s helpful to review the basics of engagement party etiquette to guide your approach and ensure everyone is on the same page.
Consider your guest list when planning your engagement party. If many of your guests will need to travel from out of town, they’ll require extra time to make arrangements. It’s a good idea to send out engagement party invitations at least a month in advance, with additional notice for those traveling. Also, keep in mind that you should only invite guests who are also likely to be on your wedding day guest list.
Consider the Season:
The time of year you get engaged might influence when you want to celebrate. For instance, if your partner proposes during the holiday season, but you dream of a spring garden party, it might make sense to wait for warmer weather. Additionally, certain dates, like holidays with strong family traditions, might not be ideal for an engagement party. While a New Year’s Eve bash sounds fun, some guests may already have plans.
Think About the Location:
Your engagement party wouldn't be complete without your closest friends and family. If many of your loved ones live far away, it's wise to plan the event a few months out to give them time to make travel arrangements. In some cases, you might even consider a destination engagement party—a fun weekend getaway where both sides of the wedding party can meet.
Determine If Multiple Parties Are Needed:
Depending on where your friends and family live, you might need more than one engagement party. If you have friends in your current city but family in other states, you’ll want to celebrate with each group. The first party could be a small gathering with local friends shortly after the engagement, followed by a more elaborate event with extended family a month or two later.
Plan Your Budget:
Having multiple engagement parties can impact your budget, especially if you’re covering the costs yourself. Traditionally, whoever hosts the party pays for it, whether it’s the engaged couple, their parents, or a group of friends. If you’re also saving for the wedding, you might prefer to have the engagement party sooner to start focusing on other wedding expenses.
