So, you’re engaged! YAY! But…now what? If you just can’t wait to show off your new bling, it’s time to celebrate with an unforgettable engagement party. Whether you’re into a lowkey at-home get-together or an all-out bash, knowing how to plan an engagement party is key to making it a night to remember (just like your wedding, eek!!). From choosing a theme to selecting the best engagement party finger foods, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

Not sure where to start? No worries! We’ve got you covered with engagement party ideas, menu tips, and advice like whether hiring an engagement party planner is the right choice for you (hint: it’s not necessarily necessary!). Okay, that’s enough chit chat. Time to dive into the step-by-step process of planning an engagement party that sets the tone for all your wedding celebrations!

Step One: Set Your Budget

As with everything wedding-related, you need a realistic budget in place before you can start planning! Determine whether or not your engagement party will be included in your full wedding budget, or if you’ll host a smaller gathering without all the bells and whistles.

This budget will determine your venue (if you’re going that route), so make sure your dollar amount matches your engagement party vision!

Step Two: Pick Your Venue

Arguably the most exciting part of learning how to plan an engagement party is selecting your perfect venue. The location sets the tone for your whole event, so you’ll want to choose a space that reflects you and your partner’s style, guest list size, and budget (ugh, there’s that word again!).

Popular Engagement Party Venue Ideas:

• At-Home Celebration: For a cozy, intimate vibe, host your engagement party at home! Dress up your backyard with string lights, order a few pizzas, and set up some seating for a budget-friendly and casual atmosphere.
• Restaurant or Private Dining Room: Many couples choose to host their engagement party at their favorite local restaurant to avoid catering and cleanup stress.
  Bonus tip: Find a space that offers a private dining area for a more exclusive experience!
• Outdoor Garden or Rooftop: Let’s say you’re envisioning a romantic, airy setting. A garden or rooftop venue stands as the perfect backdrop for all those IG photos! These spaces (whether a friend’s apartment with rooftop access or a chic open-air bar) work beautifully with fresh floral arrangements and soft lighting for that dreamy ambiance.
• Event Hall or Banquet Space: For larger celebrations with room for entertainment and dancing, an event hall is a great choice. This option offers more flexibility for decor and activities.

Step Three: Create Your Guest List

What’s a party without all your favorite people?! Sit down with your partner and create your guest list—for an engagement party, it’s typically your immediate families, closest friends, and maybe a few extra relatives that you want to celebrate your major milestone with. It certainly doesn’t have to be as robust as your full wedding guest list, unless of course you want it to be!

Once you have your list finalized, start sending those invites. Ideally, you’re giving your guests at least 4-6 weeks’ notice before the event, but if it’s a smaller gathering you don’t have to be quite so formal. Bonus tip: Save some money with digital invites or even a simple text!

Step Four: Plan Your Menu

Of course, no celebration is complete without yummy food and drinks! When creating your engagement party menu, consider all of the above: your venue, guest list, and overall vibe. Whether you’re hosting a sit-down dinner in a private restaurant dining room, a casual gathering in your home, or a cocktail-style event, engagement party finger foods are always a crowd-pleaser (we’re looking at you, pigs-in-a-blanket!). They’re easy to eat, mess-free, and ideal for mingling!

Engagement Party Food Ideas by Venue:

• At Home: If hosting your engagement party at home, try setting up a DIY grazing table with tasty charcuterie bites: cheese, fresh fruit, and a cracker variety. Some other easy-to-serve engagement party finger foods include bite-sized Caprese skewers, shrimp cocktail, mini tacos, and (our fave) spinach and artichoke dip. Don’t forget the drinks! Transform your bar cart into a self-serve drink station with pre-mixed cocktails and mocktails or just pop some bubbly!
• At a Restaurant: Many restaurant venues offer prix-fixe menus, (that’s a pre-selected, multi-course meal determined by the restaurant), but if you prefer a more social dining experience, inquire about engagement party finger foods like mini sliders, sushi rolls, bruschetta, and stuffed mushrooms. (OMG, we’re drooling!). Pair these with a signature cocktail or champagne toast to keep things festive!
• At an Outdoor Venue: If you’re celebrating outdoors or on that super-cool rooftop, think about light and refreshing bites your guests can enjoy while standing and socializing. We love hors d’oeuvres like prosciutto-wrapped melon, smoked salmon crostini, and cucumber tea sandwiches (ooh, how elegant and delicious!). For drinks, a champagne bar or sangria station can add to the laid-back atmosphere.
• At an Event Hall: For that chic, upscale vibe, maybe you want sophisticated small bites like gourmet meatballs, crab cakes, mini lobster rolls, and fancy deviled eggs. Take the drink menu up a notch with signature cocktails or a prosecco wall for a stylish touch.

Whatever you choose, don’t forget any dietary restrictions—either for you, your partner, or your guests! Be sure to offer vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly options so all guests can enjoy the celebration.

Step Five: Choose Your Activities

This one will really depend on your venue and you and your partner’s energy. If you love getting everyone involved and have the space, why not plan a few games? We love things like “Who Knows the Couple Best” or “He Said, She Said.”

Maybe you’d rather just relax and yap with your friends and fam—then throw on a killer playlist and let the music work its magic.

Step Six: Capture Your Memories

Your engagement party will be full of memories you won’t want to forget any time soon. Consider a welcome sign with a fun hashtag for social posts or set out some Polaroid or disposable cameras to relive your night over and over. Bonus tip: find a venue with a photobooth to really add to the charm!

Do You Really Need an Engagement Party Planner?

One of the biggest questions couples ask when figuring out how to plan an engagement party is whether they need to hire an engagement party planner or if they can handle everything on their own. TBH, that answer depends on your budget, guest count, and how much time you have to dedicate to planning.

When You Might Want to Hire an Engagement Party Planner

Sometimes, you just want to go above and beyond—hey, you only get engaged once! If you’re picturing a super huge or highly detailed event, hiring an engagement party planner can take the stress off your plate. Here are just few reasons hiring a planner might be the right choice for you:

• You’ve Got a Busy Schedule: If your work demands and life in general leave little time for planning, a profesh can handle all those tricky logistics, from booking your venue to coordinating catering.
• You Want a High-End Event: Maybe you’re going all-out with an extravagant theme, live entertainment, or custom décor. A planner can bring your vision to life all while ensuring everything runs smoothly.
• You’re Hosting at a Large Venue: Say your engagement party is being held at an event hall, rooftop, or luxury venue. Planners can help with vendor coordination, seating arrangements, and timing (all while you relax).
• You Just Want to Chill: Rather than stressing over last-minute details, why not relax and enjoy your party while your planner manages the behind-the-scenes work? Sounds like a win-win to us!

When You Can Do It Yourself

Not everyone is an over-the-top type of party planner. If you’re hoping for something more casual or are comfortable handling the details yourself, skipping an engagement party planner can save money and time. A DIY approach makes sense when:

• You’re Hosting at Home: If your engagement party is a simple backyard gathering or held at a restaurant with catering included, you may not need a planner to handle the little things.
• You Just Love Event Planning: Hey, we get it! If organizing and decorating is your thing, planning your engagement party can be a fun, creative experience, no professional necessary!
• You Have Help: If your family and friends are willing and able to lend a hand, assigning tasks like setting up decor, organizing food, or managing RSVPs can be a total gamechanger (and you don’t have to pay them!).

Final Thoughts: How to Plan an Engagement Party That’s Totally Unforgettable

Now that you’re a total pro on how to plan an engagement party, start bringing your vision to life! Whether you’re throwing an intimate gathering, booking a fancy restaurant, or going above and beyond with a seriously lavish event, the key is to choose a theme, venue, and menu that reflect your personalities as individuals and a couple. From selecting the perfect engagement party finger foods (no really, we’re still thinking about that spin dip) to deciding whether you need an engagement party planner, thoughtful planning ensures a fun and stress-free celebration—and the start of your lives together!

If you’re dying for even more expert planning advice, trend reports, and exclusive wedding inspiration, joinPearl by David’s today and get insider tips to make every event leading up to your big day absolutely perfect.