Ideas for Engagement Party & asking Bridesmaids...

On the drive home today I was thinking about our upcoming wedding. May 24th will officially be the One Year Countdown! (Can you believe we've already been engaged almost a year??)

Anyways, I have really been wanting to have an Engagement Party but no one has really stepped up and offered to throw one so I was thinking heck why don't we just go ahead and throw it for ourselves? We're already thinking out of the box with the whole DW thing, right?! May 24th falls on a Saturday this year and will also mark the last day of Maymester classes. So I was thinking of inviting all of our friends out to a restaurant to celebrate the countdown. We were going to host a BBQ around then but we are soooo busy with school, work, selling our house/looking for a new one... (you know, life in general ) that I figured why not just do this instead?

Here's my idea. I've already come up with my list of bridesmaids. 4 of my close girlfriends - 2 are somewhat conservative and 2 are kind of on the other end of the spectrum. I figure this will balance me out nicely being the Gemini that I am I've actually already mentioned it to two of them and they both said yes but I'd like to officially invite all of them. One of them that I haven't asked has been my BFF for the last few years. The other one is a relatively new friend that I met last year but we've grown really close (it will come down to one of these 2 for MOH - read on). Annnyyyyways, I thought of having the dinner and then towards the end tapping each of these girls on the shoulder and asking them to join me at the bar where I'd have a girly shot for each of us. Then I'd hand them each a card asking them to be my bridesmaid.

One thing - I'm not really ready to say who my MOH is yet. Of course I always thought it would be my BFF but she hasn't really seemed very into the whole wedding thing so I'm kind of worried if she would live up to the responsibilities. However she is very level headed (probably the most out of the 4). I want to see first how she reacts to being asked to be a bridesmaid. Is that ok??

Also I don't want to hurt any of the other girls at the party's feelings. This isn't a huge issue but still something to take into consideration. That's why I figured I'd take the selected girls aside at the end and ask them.

SO what do y'all think?

I cannot believe we're actually going to get married!!!!!!! AAAHHHHHHHH!!!

Jamie,

well, i think if no one is stepping up you should totally throw an e-party celebration and May24th is a perfect day to do it! F tradition and the haters!

2nd - as for asking the girls - if everyone is friends with eachother, why don't you ask them to meet up for cocktails or wine a week before the party and ask them?

if they are not all friends with eachother, then what about lunch individually or drinks or something like that?

i am not a big fan of pulling them to the side at a party, especially if you are hosting - i think it might get awkward and you will be stressed about finding the 'right time' four or more times LOL

I think it's fine to throw yourself an engagement party. Our family is all out of state and we are eloping...so there isn't anyone to throw us one. I think we will have a small party at our house this summer as our egagement party.

As for the BM / MOH idea. I love the shot idea. I, however, would gather all 4 at the same time to do the shot and pass out the cards...but that's just more my style. Also who says you have to pick the MOH right away. You can take some time to think it over more and see how all the girls react to the invite...or who says you can't have 2 MOH?

Well Jamie, if that is what works for you then do it - maybe you could ask them to get there a half hour early and do it privatley?

So if no one has offerd to throw you an engagement part its perfectly fine to throw your own. I wasnt vreative when I asked my bridemaids I just aked. But one of my girlfreinds is getting married. She ahd all of the bridesmaids over for a get togther the night before the E- party for a girly sleep over. She handed out really cute cookies shaped as brides. And then tied a note asking each one of us to be her brides maid, maid of honor, flower girl etc... It was super cute.

I think throwing a party for yourself is a great idea. And the shot idea with all 4 of them is perfect, I would love being asked that way!

So, I mentioned the Engagement Party to one of my potential bm's (one I haven't asked yet) and she BEGGED to help throw the party!! She is sooo into it and she doesn't even have a clue that I want her in my bridal party. This made me feel really good considering no one else (including friends I've known for years) has shown much interest.

So it looks like you'll have help with the engagement party...cool! I like your ideas for asking them, that will be fun

All but one of mine live out of town/state so my asking wasn't as cool. I called each one and said "We're getting married and I want you to be a BM/MOH". My MOH was driving and had to pull over because she was so excited...lol

Have fun with your friends,...you are lucky they live so close to you