11 Engagement Party Ideas | Themes To Celebrate The Big “Yes!”
These are the best engagement party ideas, themes, etiquette, and more.
An engagement party is the perfect way to kick off all the wedding festivities with your closest friends and family.
Best Engagement Party Ideas
Engagement parties are one of my favorite parts of the wedding journey. These parties happen early in the wedding planning process, which means less stress and more celebration.
It’s all about soaking in the excitement of your engagement and sharing that with those closest to you before the whirlwind of wedding prep begins.
Whether you want something low-key or more upscale, we’ve put together this guide to help walk you through everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable celebration.
By the end of this post, you’ll have the best ideas for engagement party ideas, themes, menus, who to invite, tips, venue ideas, and more.
What Is An Engagement Party?
First things first—if you’re curious about what an engagement party is… to put it simply…it’s a pre-wedding celebration to announce and celebrate a couple’s decision to get married. Think of it as “She said yes!” and now it’s time to party!
An engagement party is a chance for the couple’s families and friends to meet (if they haven’t already), toast to the engagement news, and share all the excitement before diving into everything that comes along with the wedding planning process.
Who Throws An Engagement Party?
If you’re looking to be super traditional, the bride’s parents are the ones to host an engagement party. However, today, anyone can host an engagement party…even the soon-to-be newlyweds themselves.
In fact, my husband and I hosted our own engagement party for our close family and friends. An engagement party can be thrown by the couple, one set of parents, both families together, or even the couple’s close friends.
Some couples even choose to have more than one engagement party—especially if their families or close friends live in different areas and they want to celebrate with them.
When Does An Engagement Party Take Place?
The timing of an engagement party really is up to the couple. That being said, it’s best to host an engagement party before all the wedding planning begins.
So, typically the engagement party will take place shortly after the proposal…anywhere from a few weeks to a few months after (depending on the length of the engagement and the type of party).
However, there really is no strict timeline, and it’s up to the couple. If you plan on having a long engagement, there is no rush. Also, if you have a lot of family or friends out of town that you want to attend the party…coordinating dates with them can come into play and determine when the engagement party will take place.
Who Do You Invite To An Engagement Party?
The engagement party guest list typically includes close family, the wedding party (if already chosen), and a few of the couple’s closest friends.
A good rule of thumb is to only invite people who will also be invited to the wedding. This helps avoid any awkwardness later on. The guest list for an engagement party is usually a lot smaller than the wedding itself, so don’t feel like you need to invite everyone you plan on inviting to your wedding.
Engagement Party Ideas
One of the things I love most about engagement parties is that there really is no right or wrong when it comes to how to celebrate. It can be low-key or upscale…it all comes down to personal preference.
If you’re looking for ideas on what type of engagement party to host, here are some favorites to help get you inspired:
Casual Backyard BBQ
A backyard BBQ is a relaxed, fun, and affordable way to celebrate the engagement. It’s perfect for summer. You can include classic lawn games like cornhole or giant Jenga!
Champagne Brunch
Host a weekend brunch with bubbly. Include brunch foods like waffles, bite-sized bagels and smear, and even a coffee bar.
Beach or Lake Party (if you live near a beach or lake)
Great for evening engagement parties, especially if you live near a lake or the beach. This is a cozy and romantic way to celebrate!
Winery Picnic with Charcuterie
Host a wine tasting at a winery, the park, or even at home. Include a variety of wines as well as small bites!
Cocktail Party
Host at a fun venue, rooftop bar, or even your home. You can serve small bites and signature drinks. It’s fun to name a drink after the soon-to-be newlyweds!
Game Night with Couple’s Trivia
A couple’s game night is a fun and relaxed way to celebrate their engagement! Especially when you add a little friendly competition.
Themed Dinner Party
Having a theme can add to the fun! Consider themes like “That’s Amore” (serve Italian food) or “Taco ‘Bout Love” (turn the engagement party into a fiesta).
Mini Destination Weekend
A mini trip with close friends and family can be a special way to celebrate. Depending on time, budget, and number of attendees…you could do a cabin weekend, beach house, or visit a vineyard. There are numerous options for memorable weekend celebrations!
Potluck Dinner Hosted by Family
A potluck is a great way to celebrate and bring families together. Consider having guests bring their favorite family recipes!
Your party can be as fancy or as laid back as you want. The most important thing is that it reflects you and your future spouse. After all, it is a celebration of your love and journey to the altar!
Engagement Party Themes (11 You’ll Love)
A themed engagement party makes planning easier (and in my opinion…more fun!). It helps guide your ideas for invitations, decorations, dress code, food, and even music choices. Here are 11 of our favorite engagement party themes:
1. Cheers To Forever
Glamorous and bubbly. Think gold accents, sparkly signage, and a champagne tower.
2. I Do BBQ
Relaxed and romantic with string lights, picnic tables, cozy blankets, and of course, delicious BBQ!
3. Love Is Brewing
This Love Is Brewing theme is perfect for beer-loving couples! Consider hosting at a local brewery or serving craft beers at home.
4. Taco ’Bout Love
We love this fiesta theme! You can include a DIY taco bar, bright décor, and margaritas.
5. He Popped The Question Movie Night
Show your favorite rom-coms outdoors with a popcorn bar! Include lots of blankets and lawn chairs for guests to enjoy an evening watching love!
6. Brunch & Bubbly
This brunch and bubbly theme works great for engagement parties as well as bridal showers. It’s the perfect morning celebration with mimosas and a waffle bar.
7. Garden Party
A garden party is a lovely way to celebrate an engagement. Consider using floral table settings, tea sandwiches, and vintage decor.
8. Rustic Romance
Think farmhouse-style charm for a rustic romance engagement party. Include wildflowers, wood signs, twinkle lights, and mason jars.
9. Love on the Lake or Beach
An engagement party on the lake or at the beach is a cozy and romantic way to celebrate the start of the couple’s wedding journey!
10. Black & White Cocktail Party
If you’re looking for chic and modern…a black and white theme is a great way to go! You can keep all decor black and white and encourage guests to dress the part.
11. Let Love Glow
Perfect for an evening engagement party! Light up the party with twinkle lights, neon signs, glow sticks, and fun cocktails.
Engagement Party Decorations
Decorations can help to bring your theme to life! The right decor also creates a beautiful atmosphere. Whether you’re keeping it simple or going all out, these are some engagement party decor ideas to add to the party ambiance.
Balloon garlands or archways
Having a balloon archway or garland is an easy and cost-effective way to decorate the space.
“She Said Yes” sign
A she said yes sign is always a cute addition to an engagement party.
Fairy lights or Edison bulb string lights
If you’re looking for a romantic or rustic vibe…including fairy lights is a must!
Photo display of the Couple
I always love this at engagement parties—a photo display is the perfect way to see the couple together and their relationship leading up to their engagement.
Personalized drink stirrers or cocktail napkins
Having something simple like personalized drink stirrers can make the party feel even more special.
Engagement ring confetti
Confetti is the perfect way to dress up any table setting!
Neon signs like (“Better Together,” “Forever Starts Now,” etc.)
Having a cute sign like “Better Together” is great for photo ops and can also make a special keepsake for the couple.
You don’t need a huge budget for incredible decorations! There are numerous DIY pieces, rentals, and printable signs that look amazing!
Engagement Party Venues
Choosing a venue option for the party sets the tone and can add to the theme you choose. Here are some of the best venue ideas to help you select the perfect location:
- Your home or backyard
- A friend or family member’s house
- Restaurants with private rooms
- Winery, brewery, or distillery
- Park or garden
- Beachfront property or lake house
- Rooftop or loft spaces
- Event halls or clubs
Tip: When you’re choosing a venue, be sure to keep in mind the number of guests that you plan on accommodating.
Putting Together The Engagement Party Guest List
When creating your engagement party guest list, the number one rule that I always say to follow (as I mentioned earlier in this post): Only invite people you plan to invite to the wedding. Otherwise, things can get awkward.
An exception to this rule would be if you plan to have a destination wedding with just immediate family and friends. You just want to avoid any awkward conversations or interactions later on in the wedding planning process.
Here’s who to invite to your engagement party:
- Immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
- Close extended family
- Best friends
- Your bridal party (if chosen)
- Out-of-town guests (if that’s an option)
Engagement Party Food (Menu Ideas)
Regardless of the theme you choose…having good food and drinks makes the party. You don’t need a full dinner (unless that’s your plan). Just supply enough food and drinks to keep your guests happy and celebrating!
Food ideas:
- Grazing table, including things like charcuterie boards, veggie and fruit trays, etc.
- Taco bar or build-your-own bowls
- Sliders, flatbreads, or skewers
- Mini sandwiches or finger foods
- Sweet treats like cupcakes, donuts, or cake pops
- A themed cake, dessert, or candy bar
Drink ideas:
- Champagne or prosecco
- Signature cocktails (name them something cute and wedding-related!)
- Beer or wine
- Coffee & tea bar
- Mimosa bar
- Non-alcoholic beverages (iced tea, lemonade, sparkling water)
What to Wear To An Engagement Party (The Dress Code)
Here is the 411 on what to wear to an engagement party. The dress code should reflect the tone of the event. So, if you’re having a casual, laidback celebration or an upscale event, what you wear should match.
It is an excellent idea to include the dress code on the invitations. That way, all of your guests will know what to wear. This is always appreciated and eliminates any guesswork.
DRESS CODE For the Couple:
A white dress or jumpsuit for the bride-to-be (always classic!) This can be casual or dressy depending on the style of party.
Dressy-casual is a good rule of thumb for the groom. Again, it depends on the style of the party. Shorts and a polo may fit the vibe as well.
It can be fun for the bride and groom to subtly match the theme of the party (floral prints for a garden party or glam for cocktail hour, etc.)
DRESS CODE For Guests:
Casual: Sundresses, polos, jeans + nice top
Dressy casual: Midi dresses, button-ups, loafers
Cocktail: Little black dresses, suits, or statement pieces
Themed: Floral prints, beachwear, or black and white, depending on the invitation.
Do You Need a Registry for an Engagement Party?
Gifts are not expected at an engagement party…but some of your guests may bring one. Personally, I don’t like the idea of including a registry for an engagement party. Especially with all the gift giving that leads up to the wedding—and the wedding itself.
That being said, it’s okay to create a small engagement registry or wish list if you’re asked. Guests may want to bring you something, and having a registry can help them to gift something they know you will enjoy.
If you do receive gifts, make sure to send thank-you notes afterward to show your appreciation!
Final Thoughts | Best Engagement Party Ideas, Themes, & More
An engagement party is the first big celebration of your journey to the altar together! So whatever style theme you choose…make it one that reflects the two of you and your relationship.
Whether you’re toasting with champagne at a brunch and bubbly or grilling in the backyard with your favorite people, the most important part is celebrating the beginning of your forever.
I hope that all of these tips, engagement party themes, and ideas have been helpful!
