Should You Have an Engagement Party? Here’s What to Know.
- afrindesigns
- Jul 30
- 2 min read
When you're newly engaged, it’s tempting to jump into full celebration mode (and we totally get that). That post-proposal glow is real. But before you dive headfirst into planning every event under the sun, you might be asking yourself: “Should we even have an engagement party?”
Here’s our honest take: it depends. Let’s break down the pros and cons, and take a peek at a stunning engagement celebration we recently designed that shows how to do it right.
THE PROS
1. You get to celebrate without the wedding pressure. An engagement party lets you bask in the joy of this new chapter without the formality and intensity of the wedding day. It’s a chance to celebrate with loved ones in a more relaxed setting.
2. It sets the tone for your wedding style. From florals to color palettes, an engagement party is a great space to dip your toes into design and showcase your personality as a couple.
3. It creates momentum and memories. Especially if your wedding is more than a year away, this event builds anticipation and lets family and friends start celebrating with you sooner.
4. It helps pace your ideas. As wedding and event designers, we often see couples try to pack every Pinterest dream into one event. An engagement party can help you spread out your vision, saving standout details for the wedding day (like Sarah & Dylan did—more on that below).
5. A local celebration. If planning to have the other wedding events out of the country or out of state, an engagement party is a great way to have a local event (especially for guests who may not be able to make the other events).
THE CONS
1. Budget considerations. More events = more costs. Engagement parties can quickly add up, so it's important to be realistic about how it fits into your overall wedding budget.
2. Planning fatigue. If you’re already feeling overwhelmed, it might be worth skipping the extra logistics and saving your energy for the big day.
3. Timeline juggling.With so many dates to coordinate (bridal showers, pre-wedding events, and travel), an engagement party may feel like another moving piece on a long list.
OUR TAKEAWAY?
If you have the capacity and desire to host an engagement party, then go for it! But know that it doesn’t have to be “everything.” Think of it as chapter one in your celebration story. Keep it intentional, beautiful, and reflective of where you are now… knowing there’s more magic to come.