Engagement Parties

My friends had one. I have only been to one, though. It was close friends and family, really. There were no gifts at the engagement party, just food, drinks, and a few speeches. I think if you can afford it, go for it! One more reason to get together with friends and family and have a few drinks =)

Just went to one two weeks ago and have another one in August. I am Italian so maybe it is an Italian thing lol!!

I think it's for the more traditional people. My DD friend had a nice simple one not long ago. They are not established yet; young, both in school, don't live together. Maybe it's becoming 'old school'.

I've only heard of them on tv/movies.

Mostly out ... too costly esp when couples are paying for their own weddings.

I tried to have one when I got married 10 years ago but not many people showed, it was still fun but it seemed to not be of much importance to a lot of people. The last time I personally was invited to one was 3 years ago, but it was in a different state so I couldn't get time to go attend. However, I've noticed that more and more couples are sending "save the date" cards a few months before the actual wedding date. I've received them on magnets for my fridge, I recieved one that was a christmas ornament and just recently I got another one that was just a small card announcing the engagement but not necessarily stating "save the date". I don't know, wedding trends seem to be changing more frequently than they used to. I hope not all traditions are lost though:)

I enjoy an engagement party. Perhaps the reason we don't see them much anymore is most couples have already established a household before becoming engaged.

Blessings....

The only people I have ever known who had them were upscale, well-to-do families that could afford a big, extravagant party and then a big, extravagant wedding as well. I don't think they are too common.

I don't think they are very common. I've been to several weddings & only one engagement party, and that bride's parents were very well off.

I think it's nice, but it can get very costly for attendees - this means you have to buy an engagement gift, bridal shower gift, AND wedding gift in some cases. It's a bit too much, IMO.

I think they are in. I think couple's parties are fun, more of a cookout so it is informal and more fun.

I was to one several years ago. The proposed bride and groom were planning a long engagement and a wedding that might take place in a different country. And, there was lots of money on both sides...

Guess what, the wedding never happened.

My husband's family still has this tradition. I know many, many Italian families that still do this. All of the first-generation Italian families I know including my own family take part in the tradition.

There's no registry, It's just a big, fun party introducing both sides of the family to each other officially. Many or most of the guests bring engagement gifts which they would have sent to the engaged couple anyway. These are people who would also attend the wedding and may or may not attend the big bridal shower (as opposed to the personal shower that includes only the bridal party).

I should also add that we're not wealthy or well to do. The parties are always during the summer when we can have these parties outside so that they're casual. They're BBQ and partially catered so that there's a ton of food, and being Italian many of the guests bring some food to contribute. It's just an excuse for family to get together and celebrate.

come to think of it...i've never been to one, been invited to one, heard of one...ever. might just be us bumpkins but i don't think people do that...although i don't suppose there's any reason not to, just to celebrate the fact. i assume that we're not talking about gifts and registries etc?

My best friend had one a few years ago and everyone I knew of getting married around the time I did, had one as well (but that was 18 yrs ago). But we were all still living at home with our parents so I think that most of the weddings now are those of couples already living together so they aren't as common.

I would think that if you are already living together maybe have an engagement celebration and maybe forgo gifts because I think that the purpose of the engagement party is to prepare you for your home together not give you nicer stuff for the home you already have. I'm not trying to sound caddy, just being honest.

In fact, I am going to one tomorrow night...this will be the second engagement party I've been to my whole life (the first one I went to was a looooong time ago). I never had one before I got married and I know most of the people I know didn't have one.

When our son got engaged last year we took them out to dinner along with her parents and a few relatives who were in the area. A few weeks later, her parents had a BBQ at their home and invited about 50 friends, family & neighbors to celebrate the engagement. No gifts, just fun.

I don't think it's a matter of being "in or out". My aunt and uncle hosted one at their home for my now husand and me. It was lovely and my family and close friends were invited. My parents are hosting one for my cousin at their home - family BBQ. It's an excuse to have a party and a special way to start the celebration. How casual or upscale - is up to the one hosting.

I had never heard (other than on TV/movies) of people having them until I met my husband who is first generation in the US from Sicily.....that being said we didn't have one. My SIL asked us when we got engaged "when is your engagement party?" I had assumed it was like a shower where you don't plan your own so I just said, "well, I don't know if anyone is having one." That was the last I heard of it for us!!
My husbands family does typically have them though - "just family" which means 100 or more people.......but at someones house and the matriarchs of the family typically spend a couple of days cooking pasta and other foods for it!

My nephew just had a "pantry party" in honor of his engagement. Just a BBQ with gifts relating to pantry (food) and kitchen (dishes/utencils). We put together a mixing bowl with spoons and cake mixes.

My fiance (now DH) & I were given one 18 yrs. ago by a dear friend. The purpose was for the families to meet prior to the wedding. We were not living together and our courtship was very short before our engagement (1 1/2 months). It helped our families mesh and the love and support we felt from them was tremendous. No gifts; just a brunch and time together. The ones I hear about today are similar -- low key family gatherings with no gifts.

My brother in law had one....and didn't invite us. So, I have no idea what in thre world that is all about!

I had one. My brothers both had one. My bro-in law had one. The purpose is usually for the family to meet the fiance and for the families to meet and mingle. And to potentially announce the date. Also maybe so those planning showers, parties and such can share ideas/dates (but really low key) maybe even just exchange emails to help the upcoming planning process. But I think that since now a days people get engaged and don't get married for years and years it is very akward to announce their engagement when there are no immediate (or even semi-immediate) plans to get married.

Still in! I had two engagement parties one hosted by my parents and another by family friend! They are a great reason to celebrate the event. Anyone who gets married in my family still has one. In fact, my friends still have them too and we have all lived with our hubbys before marriage. I don't think it has anything to do with living together or establishing a household. That implies that you only want "gifts" and that is not the purpose of an engagement party. It can be as formal as you want or super casual but the purpose is to celebrate the couple and the impending nuptials. It's too bad our society has become to casual. Take care!

Updated

Still in! I had two engagement parties one hosted by my parents and another by family friend! They are a great reason to celebrate the event. Anyone who gets married in my family still has one. In fact, my friends still have them too and we have all lived with our hubbys before marriage. I don't think it has anything to do with living together or establishing a household. That implies that you only want "gifts" and that is not the purpose of an engagement party. It can be as formal as you want or super casual but the purpose is to celebrate the couple and the impending nuptials. It's too bad our society has become to casual. Take care!