If you have recently had the question popped, it’s time to kick off the wedding festivities with an engagement party. At Barlens, we know great parties live on forever and we have been supplying quality party hire equipment for events all over Canberra since 1965. Are you ready to start planning your engagement? Here are a few things to consider to help you throw an unforgettable engagement bash.
Choose a Date
Traditionally, engagement parties should be held no later than 3 months after the initial announcement, that way you can pick a date while the news is still fresh in everyone’s minds – and before the real business of wedding planning starts to set in. But if you’re having a longer engagement or don’t have time to organise an event straight away, a slight delay is no problem, as long as none of your other pre-wedding events have taken place yet.
Decide on a Venue
Your choice of wedding venue will be influenced by both the formality and the theme of your event. Engagement parties can be as big or small and as formal or informal as you’d like, giving you lots of flexibility when it comes to venue. For a more casual affair, a party in your parents’ backyard or a public space like a park or by the beach are great options. For something more formal, a private dining room at your favourite restaurant or small function venue is the perfect way to go. No matter which type or style of venue you choose, you may need to consult with your local party hire company for a marquee, chairs, tables or extra décor pieces to create the perfect atmosphere for your party.
Create the Guest List
Generally, anyone who makes the guest list for your engagement party must also be invited to the wedding so you should spend some time to carefully consider your invitees. If you aren’t sure if you will end up having a big or small wedding, try to keep the engagement party more intimate and invite only those you know will definitely be at your wedding as well.
Plan the Menu
No matter how formal or casual your engagement party is, the right food and beverages, and plenty of them, is a key factor in creating a memorable night. Organise your menu and drinks well in advance, and if you’re hosting the party yourself, source extra catering supplies from a party hire specialist to help with cooking and serving food. For an evening of cocktails, you could opt for canapes or a platters of cheeses, meats, and crudités. For an informal event, a gourmet barbeque will fill the tummies of your guests and for something a bit out of the box, why not choose a food truck or two to get your guests talking.
Set the Scene
The theme and decor can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. The focus is on celebrating your exciting news with those closest to you, so decorate in a way that is unique to you as a couple. There’s so many options when it comes to décor and styling from sleek and modern black and white to rustic country or traditional elegance. Once you have picked a theme, start to gather your styling pieces, you don’t need to spend a small fortune, variety stores and discount outlets have candles, vases, string lights and many other things to decorate your space. If you’re celebrating in a space that’s already decorated, don’t worry about adding your own touch - embrace the existing ambiance.
Engagement parties are the beginning of a very exciting time of your life so there’s no better way to celebrate than with a fabulous party. For party hire Canberra locals know and trust, you can’t go past Barlens. We have over 50 years’ experience in the party hire industry and we do our utmost to ensure every event in which we are involved is memorable for the right reasons. Browse our range online or visit our conveniently located Canberra showroom today.
