Engagement Parties & Destination Weddings

We are having our engagement party in a couple of weeks. A couple of people have asked if they should be bringing gifts. We've told them no, that gifts aren't required but then they ask "but what is everyone else doing?". We have no idea. My dad sent out the invites for this since he's hosting and they did not mention our registry on the invites (no big deal). We are also having a shower in late November (the girls insisted)

 

I honestly have no idea what to expect at the engagement party. My cousin insists that people will give us cash and presents but i see this as pretty unlikely considering how much the trip cost!

 

It doesn't matter to me either way, but i won't lie...gifts would be fun lol

Engagement parties are to celebrate the happy occasion. Guests are not required to bring gifts but some may do it anyway.

I was going to ask the same thing-- we are having an engagement party in December, some of my friends asked about gifts, I told them they were not necessary, but we didn't mention it either way on the invites. I am not expecting any, since I have never brought gifts to engagement parties before myself.

That's what I thought...I logged into our registry though and almost 80% of the stuff is gone! We didn't ask for a lot anyways but I was in shock. My brother actually said "you have a small registry"...I didn't want it to seem like we were being greedy.

 

Anyways, i am super excited that someone purchased my kitchenaid mixer!!! yahoo!

The words gifts should never be mentioned on an invitation. I read that in this past issue of Brides. =)

 

That being said, it's up to the couple. We had our engagement party in March '09 and everyone (all 70) came with a gift. Average amount was $100 per couple; we got a few figurines, photo albums/frames, and champagne. But mostly money which is what we needed to get our feet on the ground.

 

I know things are different in various states and countries, but here in NY (Long Island/NYC) you don't go to a party empty handed. Just my opinion!

We had half of our guest come with gifts and half didn't. Most of the guest who planned on going to the DW didn't bring a gift. If people asked I told them not to bring a gift but most people looked on our website and checked the registry. I'm actually writing thank you cards right now! lol.....

Older bride here been married before and has now combined homes with FI... I do not want any gifts, DW gifts, Bridal Shower or AHR.... No Gifts please... people have asked and I have been quick to say "thank you but no thank-you.

 

Having said that, if I was going to an engagement party or an AHR for a young couple starting their life together I would bring a gift. I would include young couples getting married for the first time and couples that have been living together aswell. I just think the old fashion way that this is an opportunity to help them get their start in life.

Well said about the new young couples. I only plan on doing this once and we need all the help we can get. We didn't register in time for the engagement party on purpose...that way we got money instead, a nice amount too...which is going ALL to the wedding.

Desipte it being a destination, this wedding is costing around 18K, better than 50K here in NY but still a lot for us.

My mom, sister (MOH), bridal party and Future MIL are thowing my shower and that's what we are registering for. =)

We're having our engagement party in November, we've been asked where we were registered so we rushed out this past weekend to register somewhere. My FI feels wrong with registering... he doesn't want to be greedy. I'm not expecting gifts, but I'm also not telling people were registered unless they ask.

 

We're also planning our own engagement party because our families are far away. Does anyone have any good ideas for engagement parties?

We did ours in March. It was at the hall attached to a firehouse, called the Vamps Club. We had 70 people, that we catered for and supplied beer, wine and soda at the bar.

 

The favors were luggage tags and the centerpieces were oval trays with sand, starfish and shells surrounding three off-white 5 inch pillar candles.

 

We got a DJ for the 4 hour party and it was GREAT!

 

Color scheme was brown, turquoise and cream.

 

I order the plates/napkins from Party Supplies, Birthday Party Supplies, Birthday Parties, Kids Parties, Wedding Supplies, Pinatas and it was a GREAT price.

 

And the favors from www.weddingfavordiscount.com for another great price.

 

And attached were our invitations =) done by a friend.

 

 

engagement invites.pdf