anyone planned or planning an engagement party??

quackquack · 03-13-2008, 01:33 PM

I am currently planning my own engagement party and need some help. We are doing it at our home cocktail party style. I will probably have it catered with bar and h'orderves. I need some ideas for favors, type of food and games

Helen_S81 · 03-13-2008, 02:15 PM

I planned an engagment party for my daughter and her fiance.

The theme was Mexican Fiesta, so we served mojitos and corona beer as guests arrived. We had salsa, and other dips with chips, and nuts set up in various locations. We played salsa music.

We bbq'd beef, chicken, chorizo sausage and shrimp, all on skewers, we had two large bowls of salad, Mexican rice, and vegetable trays.

We had a cake made that had a Mexican theme, and we had fresh fruit, ice cream, and cheese and crackers.

I put together a quiz type of game which was great and got the many different groups of people interacting. It was basically a list of questions that I asked the groom ahead of time, then asked the bride the day of the party. Guests had to guess if she's know the answers or not. The rest of the questions were related to weddings and customs around the world. I can figure out a way to post it as an attachment if anyone is interested.

You can see some pictures here Engagement Pictures from Cheryl pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots

It was a lot of work, but I'm glad I did it. Chris (the groom) and my other daughter's boyfriend, are both trained chefs, so that helped alot. I would be glad to answer any other questions you might have.

Maura · 03-13-2008, 02:28 PM

ummmm helen can you be my mom? haha, you are so awesome!

Helen_S81 · 03-13-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mauraw

ummmm helen can you be my mom? haha, you are so awesome!

That is such a nice compliment to get! Made me feel special. Thank you.

I really wanted to do an engagement party for lots of reasons, but the main one was that I knew that Katie and Chris wanted to plan their own wedding and I am such an organizer and can be very controlling once I get into something and knew we could end up in a conflict. So I asked them to let me do the engagement party my way and I'd do my very best to let them do the wedding their way.

It was a negotiation process and I'd say we're still working on it! :)

quackquack · 03-13-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helen_S81

I planned an engagment party for my daughter and her fiance.

The theme was Mexican Fiesta, so we served mojitos and corona beer as guests arrived. We had salsa, and other dips with chips, and nuts set up in various locations. We played salsa music.

We bbq'd beef, chicken, chorizo sausage and shrimp, all on skewers, we had two large bowls of salad, Mexican rice, and vegetable trays.

We had a cake made that had a Mexican theme, and we had fresh fruit, ice cream, and cheese and crackers.

I put together a quiz type of game which was great and got the many different groups of people interacting. It was basically a list of questions that I asked the groom ahead of time, then asked the bride the day of the party. Guests had to guess if she's know the answers or not. The rest of the questions were related to weddings and customs around the world. I can figure out a way to post it as an attachment if anyone is interested.

You can see some pictures here Engagement Pictures from Cheryl pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots

It was a lot of work, but I'm glad I did it. Chris (the groom) and my other daughter's boyfriend, are both trained chefs, so that helped alot. I would be glad to answer any other questions you might have.

Thanks Helen
I love the idea of Mexican fiesta! It will go great with having a wedding in Mexico. Why didn't I think of that

I am going to talk it over with my FI to see what he thinks. I wish you were my Mom too! Really haven't had much help with planning. I also love the game, I will definitely use it for my party

I am so excited. can't wait to hear mor ideas

Ana · 03-13-2008, 04:39 PM

Our friends threw us our enagement party at their apartment. They kept it quite simple, despite the fact that there were over 30 people there. There were no favours or gifts (this was my request because I always find it awkward to open gifts in front of other people). Our friends have an old 18th century apartment so its already pretty romantic, they decorated by putting tall candles all around the apartment and dimming the lights. They served wine, champagne and appetizers. It was really fun, and everyone talked about how great it was. I was nice to just enjoy a quiet evening with all our friends without any other distractions.

Maura · 03-13-2008, 04:48 PM

helen if you PM me your email address, i will email you and you can send me the attachment for the quiz game and i will post it for you! sounds like fun, i want to pass it along to my friends throwing my shower!

ErinB · 03-13-2008, 06:04 PM

There are a few books at Barnes and Noble (or any other book seller) called "How Well DO You Know Your Groom/Bride". They are fun little trivia questions that each of you fill out to start discussions. Like "Whose relationship does your bride most admire?" or Has your groom ever had a crush on a teacher?" My mom got those for our stockings at Christmas. That might be a fun thing to do at the party!

We had a really small family party and I gave out my travel brochures to introduce everyone to our destination and gave luggage tags as favors. The brochures were free from the travel agent.

Yari · 03-13-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamaicaBride062108

There are a few books at Barnes and Noble (or any other book seller) called "How Well DO You Know Your Groom/Bride". They are fun little trivia questions that each of you fill out to start discussions. Like "Whose relationship does your bride most admire?" or Has your groom ever had a crush on a teacher?" My mom got those for our stockings at Christmas. That might be a fun thing to do at the party!

I saw this book, it looked like fun!

Agape Gems · 03-13-2008, 10:42 PM

My FMIL threw us an engagement party, and despite the fact that she made it a luau themed-party and we are getting married in Jamaica, it was really nice.

She had people make toasts, since most of her family can't come to the wedding. And we played a game where they blind folded me and had 5 or 6 guys roll up there pants leg and I had to guess which leg was FI's leg. Also did a questions game where she asked me and FI a list of questions ahead of time about our self then at the party we had to answer the question about the other person. I got all the ?s correct about FI, he got 9/10 wrong about me.... hmmmm....go figure.

She also had a photog friend of hers come and take pics which everyone had a good time posing for. She gave out favors, but i can't remember what they were, if it comes to me i'll repost.

I think as long as the food and drinks are good people will have a good time!