15 Beautiful Engagement Party Invitations + Guide To Engagement Party Etiquette And Tips!
Aside from actually saying yes when he pops the question, a great engagement party is the beginning of an adventure complete with LOTS of good times to come!
We’re sharing a few wedding planning tips like:
- How to send your engagement invites;
- Etiquette advice; and even
- Gifts at an engagement party!?
Plus, we’ll show you a few of our favorite to provide you with some serious inspiration. But before we get there, we’ve got a bunch of suggestions to help you put your party together for maximum fun and minimal stress!
Engagement Party Invites – How, When, And Why to Send Them
After some planning has happened and you’ve set a date for the party, it’s time to send out invites!
Here are a few words on etiquette and some answers to commonly asked questions about engagement invitations:
When Should You Send Out Engagement Party Invitations?
As soon as a date has been set and planning is underway! Ideally, invitations should be sent out at least a month in advance, though six weeks would be even better. This gives everyone ample time to RSVP whether they’re able to attend or not.
How to Word an Engagement Party Invitation
Regardless of the embellishments, engagement party cards should be worded to communicate the details. If you’re looking for examples of engagement party invitation wording specifically coming from a friend, family, or whoever is hosting, we’ve got some great examples in our article on How to Word Engagement Party Invitations.
What Should Be On the Invitation?
Always include the newly engaged couple’s names, the host’s name, the party’s date and time, the location of the party, and the RSVP information. RSVP info should include either the host’s phone number, email address, or both, and the date by which to respond.
If the party is hosted in a setting that isn’t particularly car-friendly, or you live in a neighborhood where parking is tricky, include parking directions on the invitation.
How to Address an Engagement Party Invitation
There’s no need to get formal about addressing engagement party invitations unless you’re hosting a formal party. Usually, first and last names are just fine (for example, “John and Jane Doe”). For more formal invites, it’s customary to include titles, too (for example, “Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Doe”).
Top Engagement Party Invitation Picks
With all of that advice in mind, take a look at some of our favorite engagement party invitations below! From modern to retro, we think you’ll find one that is perfect for your party.
1. Simple Celebration Photo Invitation
by Minted
A flat square card is a great canvas to display a fave photo from an engagement shoot. The style is simple but so pretty. This one is available in three color themes and two silhouette shapes to create a specialized aesthetic.
Dimensions: 5.25″ x 5.25″ inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
2. Arrows and Photo Invitation
by Minted
This design proves that the smallest of details can create a completely stylized invitation. We love the modern layout here! Choose from five color themes and five silhouettes.
Dimensions: 5″ x 7″ inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
3. Kiss Me Invitation
by Minted
The sweet vibe of this rustic engagement party invitation creates such a unique photo card. It’s available in three color themes and four silhouettes for you to choose from.
Dimensions: 7″ x 5″ inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
4. Tiny Hearts – Watercolor Invitation
by Minted
This card is so playful! We love the font- it’s so elegant yet relaxed, and that splash of watercolor embellishment is perfect. Six color themes and five silhouettes provide you with plenty of room for customization, too.
Dimensions: 5″ x 7″ inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
5. Watercolor Heart Invitation
by Minted
A little bolder than the previous watercolor invite we chose, yet still subtle. If you like watercolor-style designs, this one is a fab choice. You can get it in four pretty color themes and six silhouettes (including tag).
Dimensions: 5″ x 7″ inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
6. Geometric Diamonds Foil-Pressed Invitation
by Minted
Glittering gold foil makes the bold geometric designs on this card pop. There’s something so classy about foil-pressed stationery, and we think this invite would be perfect for an evening cocktail engagement party. It comes in your choice of six color themes.
Dimensions: 5″ x 7″ inches
Printing: Foil-Pressed
Card Type: Flat Card
7. Tartufo Bold Modern Invitation
by Minted
Simple but definitely not boring! The structured design punctuated with a smattering of unique text flourishes makes this invitation special. It’s available in six color themes and five silhouettes.
Dimensions: 7″ x 5″ inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
8. Love Letters – Modern Engagement Invitation
by Minted
This black and gold invite really stood out to us; it’s definitely got a black-tie sort of feel. If your engagement party is on the sophisticated side, this card would certainly represent the aesthetic! It comes with three color options and four silhouettes. Note: This card has gold embellishments but does not feature gold foil.
Dimensions: 7″ x 5″ inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
9. Time For…Engagement Party Invitation
by Minted
Modern but not too serious, we really like the graphics of the little clock and contrasting fonts on this engagement card. It’s available in three color themes and two silhouette shapes.
Dimensions: 5.25″ x 5.25″ inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
10. Engagement Cocktails and Music Invitation
by Minted
This cute card reminds us of old advertising posters from the turn of the century, but with a modern twist. It’s a neat way to get the word out that a celebration is coming! You can order them in three color themes and five silhouette options.
Dimensions: 5″ x 7″ inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
11. Two of a Kind Invitation
by Minted
We love the vintage look of this engagement invitation, and the contrasting color theme really shows up beautifully. If you have a couple who loves to cycle together, it’s a neat option! Comes in three color themes and two silhouettes.
Dimensions: 7″ x 5″ inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
12. Paris Lights Invitation
by Minted
When we saw this invitation, we immediately thought of a rustic-themed backyard party complete with fairy lights and simple floral embellishments. Sounds like a magical setting for a gorgeous gathering! Comes in three color choices and six silhouettes, including tag.
Dimensions: 5″ x 7″ inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
13. Retro Party Invitation
by Minted
We’re seeing more and more invitations with these cute, colorful designs, and we couldn’t be more in love with them! Little guests dancing the night away- is there a better way to let everyone know you’re celebrating such a joyous event? Three color themes and four silhouette shapes help create a specialized look all your own.
Dimensions: 7″ x 5″ inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
14. Weber Grill Invitation
by Minted
The perfect card to announce a backyard barbecue-themed party. It’s got so much personality, and with three color choices and six silhouettes, the aesthetic options are plentiful. You’re sure to get a confirmed RSVP.
Dimensions: 5″ x 7″ inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
15. Caipiroska Invitation
by Minted
Retro cocktails have never looked cuter; this invite is the perfect combo of classy and whimsical! The fonts are just as interesting as the illustrations, too. Pick from four color themes and five silhouettes.
Dimensions: 7″ x 5″ inches
Printing: Standard
Card Type: Flat Card
Engagement Party Planning, Tips & FAQ
So what’s the purpose of an engagement party, and who came up with the idea, anyway? Who’s in charge? Should there be gifts? Should it be a formal thing, or can we go casual? So. Many. Questions.
We’ll answer them, but here are a few tips up-front to keep in mind:
- Host the party somewhere intimate enough that the happy couple can greet and speak to the guests personally. Chances are, there will be lots of questions about the wedding, how they met, how he asked, etc. Be ready to address questions about any impending children, too. Not everyone’s gotten the memo that those questions are kind of awkward.
- When speeches are given, be sure to raise a toast to the host of the party (if that isn’t you) and anyone else who has helped make it happen.
- Try to thank each person for coming at some point personally.
- Don’t invite people who aren’t invited to the wedding.
- Make sure the bride and groom’s parents have already met before they come.
- Have fun.
- Don’t stress about throwing the perfect engagement party.
- Send out thank you notes after the party.
Ok, now that’s out of the way, here are some answers to those burning questions:
What is an Engagement Party?
An engagement party is a gathering held to celebrate the recent engagement of the happy couple. It serves a couple of purposes, actually. It’s not only a fun way to kick off the race to the altar, but it’s also an easy way for the future in-laws and wedding guests to mingle and get to know one another.
A Short History of the Engagement Party
The history of the ritual is long and actually pretty interesting, as are the origins of the concept of getting engaged.
Records of the tradition of engagement can be traced back to the first century BC, where the couple’s parents often negotiated an engagement with, or sometimes without, their input on the matter. Negotiations of the bride’s dowry followed.
As the rules of engagement have evolved, so has the nature of the engagement party.
Sometime after arranged weddings fell out of fashion in most parts of the world, but before the modern engagement party has evolved into what it is today, engagement parties were events where the bride’s parents announced the couple’s betrothal as a surprise to friends and family from both sides.
Cool, right? Not sure why most modern engagement parties have pretty much abandoned that neat tradition, but it’s all good. They’re still fun.
The Modern Engagement Party
Usually, these days, the party celebrates the happy couple after they’ve already let everyone know they’re tying the knot. It can be either an informal affair held at the home of family, friends, at the couple’s home, a restaurant, or a formal event hosted at a venue. Speeches are usually made and toasts raised to the soon-to-be newlyweds.
Who Normally Throws the Engagement Party?
Traditionally, the bride’s family is expected to host the party, but if other family and friends would like to pitch in, all the better. Modern parties are often hosted by a good friend or even by the wedding party. As long as everyone is there to have fun and celebrate!
When to Have the Engagement Party?
Ideally, it should be planned as soon after the engagement as possible. If it’s possible for the couple to surprise everyone and announce their engagement at the party, awesome! But that may prove difficult due to social media and the lack of a good excuse to throw a party where all those friends and relatives would gather in one place.
Who Should Be Invited to the Engagement Party?
Etiquette says traditionally, guests invited to the engagement should be close friends, family, and those also invited to the wedding. Current wedding trends can skew this traditional etiquette, however, depending upon the circumstances.
For instance, if the couple is throwing a micro wedding or smaller destination wedding, the engagement party guest list can expand to include those who may not (or may not be able to) attend the wedding but would like to celebrate the coming nuptials in person.
If the upcoming wedding is planned as a larger, more traditional wedding, the engagement party can include a shorter guest list in a more intimate setting.
Should People Bring Gifts to an Engagement Party?
Traditional etiquette states that gifts are not required or expected at the party. The purpose is to celebrate in a meet-and-greet setting, with gifts to come later at the wedding. If guests express the desire to bring gifts, the couple can begin their registry in advance, and the bride’s parents can verbally direct them there. That information shouldn’t be included on the engagement party invitations.
In an informal party, it’s likely your guests will show up with a hostess gift like a bottle of wine or flowers. To that, we say: awesome! You can never have too much of either.
What’s the Engagement Party Dress Code?
The sky is the limit for this one. If the couple would like to have a themed party, state as such on the invitation. Doing a daytime garden brunch? Mention that too and suggest seasonal dressy/casual. If it’s an evening affair, perhaps casual cocktail attire.
Or you could always tell the guests to come as they are. It all depends upon how traditional or casual you’d like to go with it.
How to Decorate for an Engagement Party
Again, this one’s highly dependent upon the circumstances. If it’s at someone’s home, decor can be as simple as a nice table full of hors d’oeuvres, some candles, and some flowers. Or it can get more involved with a photo backdrop, paper lanterns, balloon arches, etc.
Regardless of how fancy or casual the gathering, incorporating elements of the couple’s story into the decor is a great idea. We’ve seen customized cocktail napkins, fairy lights with photos clipped to them, and decorated guest book tables featuring photos, cards, and scrapbooks.
Here’s to Love! (and Libations)
Everyone loves a good party, and there’s no better cause for celebration than a couple of lovebirds preparing to embark on the adventure of a lifetime!
Whether you’re hosting a fancy cocktail party for the happy couple or just doing a little research after the engagement announcement, we hope our guide has helped you get an idea of what an engagement celebration is all about.
Go forth, get social, and make a toast to the newly-engaged couple (with an adult beverage, of course!) Cheers!
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