You said yes, and now it’s time to celebrate. But how best to honour this extra-special occasion? With an awesome party of course. Your friends and family will just want to pass on their love and best wishes, so the details are up to you – and should reflect your relationship. Whether you want a big event with a formal dress code or a quiet get-together, here’s how to create a fun engagement party that feels personal.
1. Celebrating the Sparkle
Forget the venue, your outfits and even yourselves – the star of the show is on your hand! You’ll be sharing the story of your engagement all night, so make sure your ring gets the attention it deserves.
Why not book an engagement photoshoot and use the pictures in your event invitations? This is a fun way to provide a peek before they see you in person and will add a sense of grandeur to the occasion. Alternatively, save it as a big reveal and treat yourself to a manicure so your whole hand looks its best. Consider a professional cleaning so your ring sparkles bright in the light!
A subtle way to celebrate your ring is to echo the style in other elements of your party planning. For example, halo engagement rings with multiple diamonds scream glitz and glamour which you could pick up in a Great Gatsby theme, while sapphires suit something more sophisticated. Whether you go subtle or dramatic, your engagement ring should feel central to the celebration.
2. Setting the Budget
Excitement can lead to big ideas, but before you commit to anything, decide how much you’re comfortable spending. After all, you’ll want to save your money for what matters most – the big day and your future together.
Analyse your earnings and outgoings and assess how much you can reasonably put towards the party, ensuring all essential costs and regular savings payments aren’t disrupted. Use this to guide your decisions and be strict about staying within your limits – the memories you’ll make are worth far more than fancy touches! Prioritising what matters most whether this is a big guest list, live music or great food, means you’ll get your dream experience regardless of whether you splash the cash.
You should also look for ways to be creative with how much you have to spend. For example, ask close friends and family to bring dishes for a potluck buffet rather than hiring a caterer, or use decorations to transform an ordinary space into an extraordinary one.
3. Choosing the Theme
A strong theme pulls everything together and helps to ensure guests are comfortable and having fun from the get-go. This involves thinking beyond colour palettes: focus on less tangible factors such as the kind of energy you want the party to have to identify your core themes.
Picturing a relaxed evening? Invite a limited number of friends for cocktails in a chic lounge bar or for a meal in a local restaurant. Looking for something more energising? A barbecue in your back yard or an afternoon of organised games is more likely to fit the bill.
Try to tie the theme to something meaningful rather than making it all about the aesthetic. You could celebrate a joint passion, recreate the setting of your proposal or have fun with fancy dress centred around your favourite characters, musicians or actors. The best engagement parties aren’t just visually spectacular – they give you an idea of who the couple are and invite you to share in their unique story and future.
