| Following tradition it is the bride's parents who organise | | | | informal surroundings, hold an "open house" party. |
| and host the engagement party. And it falls to the | | | | Decide what day you want to hold your party and |
| brides father (or sometimes the fiance) to give the | | | | then invite your friends and family to "drop in". This |
| toast formally announcing the engagement. However, | | | | might be the best option if you know a lot of people as |
| the grooms father may also have an opportunity to | | | | the invite can be loosely based on an afternoon |
| toast the couple. | | | | through into the evening. After all, that's the nature of |
| The event can take any form that you choose. A | | | | an open house - Anyone who knows you can drop in |
| lunch, a buffet, a dinner party or even a special trip, it | | | | and wish you well. |
| doesn't matter as long as you're comfortable with the | | | | Finally, if your personality is more exuberant, a fancy |
| arrangements. | | | | dress party can be a fun and novel way to celebrate. |
| Invitations can be made face to face or written | | | | Outdoors |
| according to the level of formality of the event. As a | | | | If your get engaged during the summer, there are |
| point of etiquette, only invite people to your | | | | plenty of opportunities to take your celebrations |
| engagement if you intend to invite them to your | | | | outside. What about a barbeque, or a beach party? Or |
| wedding. | | | | even a barbeque on the beach. Alternatively, if you |
| Sometimes the party is organised so that the | | | | have a swimming pool or know someone who does, |
| announcement is a surprise to most of the guests, in | | | | you could hold a pool party. |
| which case, the invitations would have to be more | | | | Out On The Town |
| general in nature. | | | | For many people, celebrations = champagne. So a |
| If you don't want a traditional engagement party, | | | | champagne engagement party fits the bill perfectly. |
| there's an unlimited number of ways to celebrate. You | | | | And there are so many types of vintage available, |
| engagement celebrations can be as simple or as | | | | there should be one to suit your budget. |
| elaborate as your imagination and financial position | | | | On a similar theme, you might choose to organise a |
| allow. Here are some ideas; | | | | cocktail party. And as a centrepiece to this elegant |
| Indoors | | | | and glamorous party, why not concoct a special |
| If you would like to mark the occasion with a formal | | | | cocktail named after you and your partner. |
| celebration, why not opt for an intimate dinner party. | | | | Finally, you might want to consider a themed party. If |
| Invite your closest friends and family to enjoy this | | | | you're going out on the town, most options revolve |
| highly personal way of announcing your big news. This | | | | around the type of food on offer at your chosen |
| option is tailor made if you want to announce your | | | | venue. Anyone for chinese, indian, mexican, italian, |
| engagement with a formal toast. | | | | french etc? |
| Alternatively, if you want to celebrate at home in more | | | | |