Seeking Engagement Party Ideas/suggestions

Updated on February 23, 2010
V.H. asks from Elmwood, IL
6 answers

Hi Moms:
I'd like your input on a party that I am hosting. A fellow friend and I are throwing an engagement party for one of our best friends that is getting married for the first time at almost 39 years old. My husband and I set her up on a blind date of sorts with this wonderful guy (divorced with 3 kids) and they have been together for almost 2 years. He proposed to her on NYE and their wedding is set for October. Anyway, we are having a cocktail party for them in March and about 50 of their friends and her parents will attend. We are having it at our local country club and are serving h'orderves and adult beverages. Starting time is 7 pm. I am looking for any unique ideas for a few "fun" things to do at the party. Our friends do not want any sort of bachelorette/bachelor party, so I have to be VERY careful not to turn this into that sort of "theme". I did have a picture of them blown up to an 8 x 10 and bought a mat and frame for around it. I will have all the guests sign the mat with a "well wishes" or "congrats" of sorts. I also thought it would be fun to have index cards at a table and have the guests write some "marriage words of wisdom" on them and later in the night read them out loud to the engaged couple. What other ideas or suggestions do you have that we could do at our party? Any responses would be greatly appreciated! Thanks Moms!

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Use a camcorder to record everyone's wise marriage advice and compile it into a DVD for them to keep.
I love the matting of the photo--what a great keepsake that will be.
Also, you could compile photos from their childhood and put a show together with meaningful background music. His love: pics of her growing up, Her love: pix of him as a kid and his kids, Their love: pix of them together.
It can be shown on a continuous loop at the party or maybe before a toast by the hosts?

1 mom found this helpful
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G.

answers from Chicago on

I believe you have enough time to do this if possible and it gets everyone involved. Gather pictures of each of them from the time they were born until now, don't forget to include his children in this. But make a DVD of their life up and to the day of the party. You can then tack on the other suggestion of videoing everyone at the party too. Try to include some of their special friends or moments in the DVD. I know for us we included pictures of those that couldn't be there with us, grandparents, or close family and friends and that makes the ones we care about a part of their day even though they cannot be there in person.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.R.

answers from Reno on

I just did a Bridal Shower for my daughter. We also bought the picture frames but we are going to use them for the wedding reception instead of a guest book. The index cards with advise is a great idea. We did that too. My daughter plans on using them to scrapbook with once she is married. Another idea for this same theme is to have a shirt made with "Advise for the Groom" and "Advide for the Bride" put on them at at t-shirt shop (not expensive) and let people write on them with permenant markers. Another good game is "How well do you know your Bride and Groom." We asked 50 questions about their dating life, the proposal, their personal lives, etc. The person with the most correct answers won a prize. We also did a word scramble game (the words chosen had to do with their wedding). A great place to do that without much problem for you is Puzzlemaker.com. You just put in your words and they scramble them for you. You can put a theme on the party, such as - Kitchen gadgets, or Bedroom Fun or Living room Decor. Just make it fun and care free for the Bride and Groom.

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K.C.

answers from Chicago on

What a wonderful thing u and your husband did for your friends. 1 thing I wouldnt do is read the index cards cause really reading 50 index cards can take a while and I don't know how long u will have at the country club! Also 7pm is around supper time so think about having quite a bit h'orderves and listing that is all you are having so people prepare themselves! I would also suggest having disposable cameras at all the tables, depending on how many are sitting at the table, maybe 3 at table so every moment is being captured. I just love that idea. Also make sure u let the parents talk as well as his children talk if they want to. Talk to them and see if they want to say something (if they are attending or not)! Good Luck with the party, u guys are doing a great thing for your friends.

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

You could play a version of the 'Newlyweds' game. Fun questions like, 'what color is the groom's toothbrush?', 'What is the bride's favorite perfume?' 'Does the bride own a curling iron?', 'What is the bride's true hair color?'
I'd stay away from dating specific questions that bring in past relationships. There could be topics that they haven't discussed or don't want to.

Since its at a country-club, you could ask them to set up two cooking stations and then have a guys vs girls cooking competion.
Or maybe who can make the best cocktail?
M.

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L.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

One of the nicest gifts I received before I got married was a "Forgiveness Glass". It was a nicely decorated wine glass with a statement attached to it about marriage and never going to bed angry, etc. It also stated that this glass was to be used any time either the husband or wife wanted to ask for or grant forgiveness for the inevitable disagreements that all marriages experience.

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