Engagement dinner is one of the most exciting events in the journey towards a wedding. It is a chance for the couple to celebrate their upcoming nuptials with their loved ones. However, before you start sending invites to everyone on your contact list, it is essential to understand who should attend an engagement dinner. Knowing the appropriate guest list will help you plan the event more effectively and efficiently. In this blog post, we will explore who comes to an engagement dinner.
The Guests
The guests who typically attend an engagement dinner include immediate family members (parents, siblings, and grandparents), close relatives, and friends. Close relatives can be defined as aunts, uncles, and cousins who have a meaningful relationship with the couple. Friends can be defined as people who are close to the couple, and the couple values their friendship.
One critical thing to keep in mind when deciding on who to invite to your engagement dinner is your wedding guest list. It is recommended that you invite the same guests to your engagement dinner as you plan to invite to your wedding. This is because an engagement dinner is a prelude to the wedding, and it sets the tone for the rest of the wedding festivities. It would be awkward to invite some guests to your engagement dinner but not invite them to your wedding.
The Purpose of the Engagement Dinner
The engagement dinner serves a few purposes. Firstly, it is an opportunity for the couple to announce their engagement formally. Secondly, it is a chance for the couple’s parents to meet and interact with each other, especially if they have not had the opportunity to do so before. Finally, it is a chance for the couple to celebrate their upcoming nuptials with their loved ones in a more intimate setting than the wedding reception.
The Venue
The venue for the engagement dinner depends on personal preference and budget. It can be held at home or at a restaurant. A home-cooked meal can add a personal touch to the event, while a restaurant can take the pressure of cooking off the couple. If the couple decides to hold the engagement dinner at home, they can opt for a casual or more formal approach, depending on their preference.
The Invitations
The invitations for the engagement dinner should be sent out a few weeks before the event. The invitations can be sent by mail or email. The invitations should include the date, time, venue, and dress code (if any). It’s also a good idea to include an RSVP, so you know how many guests to expect.
Conclusion
In conclusion, an engagement dinner is an opportunity for the couple to celebrate their upcoming nuptials with their loved ones. The guest list for an engagement dinner includes immediate family (parents, siblings, and grandparents), close relatives, and friends. The purpose of the engagement dinner is to announce the engagement formally, give the couple’s parents a chance to meet and interact, and celebrate the upcoming nuptials with loved ones. The venue for the engagement dinner depends on personal preference and budget. Finally, the invitations should be sent out a few weeks before the event, and they should include all the relevant details, including an RSVP.
FAQ
Does the maid of honor throw an engagement party?
Traditionally, the maid of honor is not responsible for throwing an engagement party for the newly engaged couple. The responsibility of hosting the engagement party can fall on a variety of people, such as the couple themselves, the bride’s parents, or even close family friends. However, the maid of honor can certainly offer to help with the planning and preparations for the engagement party if she wishes to do so.
It’s important for the maid of honor to communicate with the couple and their families to figure out who is taking charge of the engagement party. If the couple has already decided to host the party themselves or if the bride’s parents have offered to take on the responsibility, the maid of honor should respect their wishes and not interfere with their plans. On the other hand, if the couple or the bride’s parents are open to the maid of honor’s assistance, she can offer to help with the guest list, decorations, or food and drink arrangements.
In general, the maid of honor’s main responsibilities typically start after the engagement party. She will help the bride with the wedding planning and preparations, offer emotional support and advice, and of course, stand by the bride’s side on her wedding day. Additionally, the maid of honor traditionally gives a toast at the wedding reception, which is a great opportunity for her to express her love and support for the newly married couple.
While the maid of honor isn’t expected to throw an engagement party, she can certainly offer to help with the preparations if the couple or the bride’s parents are open to it. However, the maid of honor’s primary role is to support the bride throughout the entire wedding planning process and on her big day.