You’ve been hinting at him to pop the question for as long as you can remember. And now, he finally did it. He proposed! Yay! With all the excitement and celebrations surrounding you, you’ve barely wrapped your head around the fact that you have countless events to plan – aside from the Big Day. We don’t want to bum you out, but it’s time to hit pause on the dream and to get your head in the game. After all, if you want to create soirees like never before, you’ve got to show everyone your A-game, don’t you think?

With that in mind, the first event you should probably start preparing is your engagement party. After you’ve announced to the world that you’ll soon be Mrs. X, there’s one thing and one thing only you should focus on: show your guests a little preview of what’s coming on your wedding day. Lucky for you, we’ve got the perfect little tips to make this first step a whole lot easier – and lighter – than it sounds. Bride-to-be, sit back, relax and let us guide you through your fabulous engagement party!

1. So it’s your first wedding-related bash…how will you kick-start the celebrations? First things first; decide who’s actually hosting the engagement party. Traditionally, it’s the bride’s parents, but since we’re in the 21^st century, anything can happen! Once you get that figured out, you’ll be able to plan according to your budget more freely.
2. Pick a theme and a date for the soiree. Should it be a wintery one in preparation for a summer wedding or should it be a summery celebration with beachy vibes? Once you pick the theme, you’ll know approximately which date would suit you best.
3. Now let’s talk guest-list. Don’t go all out by inviting everyone you’ve come across in your life. Let’s put it this way: if you don’t want them at your wedding, there’s no point for them to be present during your engagement party. Also, keep in mind that this particular party should be rather intimate and you don’t have to make it very grandiose.
4. Now that you know approximately how many guests you’re inviting, you can probably think of the venue. The choices vary between indoor, outdoor or beach-related locations. After picking your venue, make sure you organize everything from the menu to the DJ and finally the decorations.
5. Finally, pick out a dress that best suits your style and the theme of your engagement party! Don’t forget, you’re the star of the night so shine bright as always!

Article Written by Cindy Menassa