Are you planning an engagement party? If so, congratulations! Few things in life are more exciting than saying “Yes” when the person you love bends a knee. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness together!
But there will be plenty of opportunities for the two of you to spend quality time together later. For now, let’s talk about the party! Want to put together the best, most chic engagement party ever? Well, it’s going to take some work, but don’t worry – we’re here to help with some pointers courtesy of The Knot.
Fresh Arrangement
What’s an engagement party without flowers? Not an engagement party we’d want to attend, that’s for sure. Yes, flowers are a must have, but how should you display them? Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to put them in a vase, though that’s certainly a great option. For something a bit more hip and modern, you can use a glass ice bucket or another fashionable homeware good.
Set up the Bar
The other engagement party must-have you should keep on ice? Drinks. Everyone is going to want to raise a glass (or three) and toast to the happy news, so you’ve got to get the bar set up just right. Don’t have a full-blown bar? Not to worry, you can substitute with a serving tray topped off with the tools and ingredients for making whatever cocktails you want to server. Put it on display on your counter or a windowsill. Want to go a bit fancier? Get some elegant glass decanters to pour the liquor into.
Cocktail Station
The cocktail station is sort of an add-on to our last tip. Whether you have an actual bar or are just going with a tray, you should get some cocktails ready before the first guests arrive. This will keep you less stressed during the party and give your friends an excuse to immediately grab a drink and start mingling with each other. What sort of cocktails should you make? Whatever you like!
But if you’re looking for an idea, try herbal citrus martinis (half ounce of simple syrup, four divided sage leaves, one-and-a-half ounces of gin, an ounce of St. Germain and half an ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice) and orange maple whiskeys (two ounces of whisky, two tablespoons of maple syrup, orange bitters, orange wedge, orange peel as a garnish and club soda).
Cheese Board
Fact: everyone likes cheese. Everyone. OK, so not everyone – we hear you, lactose intolerant readers. But most people love cheese, so a killer cheese platter is a great idea for an engagement party. Try serving up one hard, aged cheese like parmigiana, a soft blue like gorgonzola dolce, a semi-hard cheese like Gouda and a goat cheese like Humboldt Fog. Put it all on a grain cutting board and toss in a few fruits like apple slices to fill it out, cut through the richness of the cheese and add a pop of color to the presentation. Finally, lay out some copper-handled soft and chard cheese knives to really pull it all together.
Dessert Bar
The drink bar isn’t the only one you’ll need. Add something sweet with a dessert bar. After all, how can you have a proper engagement celebration without ending things with some tasty treats? One great way to go is a naked cake piled high with fresh, delicious berries.
Gift Tray
Gifts should never be required at an engagement party, but they should always be accepted as a welcome surprise from those who choose to bring them. Place a nice stainless steel serving tray or a large basket out before the festivities get underway to give guests a place to drop off any gifts they choose to bring.
Remember, There’s Still a Wedding
It’s easy to get all caught up in the excitement of your engagement party, and, by all means, go ahead and have a great time with it and make it special. But keep in mind that the main event is yet to come. By following these tips you can have a fun and chic engagement party, but don’t go so crazy that you risk upstaging your wedding day. Try to keep the two as different as possible. For instance, if you’re having a destination wedding, then throw a home-cooked meal dinner party for your engagement celebration.
Cubic Zirconia Engagement Rings
One thing you won’t want to forget no matter what is to show off your shiny new engagement ring. You probably won’t have any trouble remembering to do that, as you’ll naturally want to, and everyone will be asking to see it anyway. The engagement party is by its very nature the perfect time to break out your engagement ring and show it off.
Certain other times, however, might not be so ideal. If you’re traveling or going to be doing some sort of physical activity that you’re worried could result in the ring getting damaged or lost, don’t wear your diamond ring. Instead, wear an affordable and elegant cubic zirconia engagement ring and keep your diamond ring safely locked away.