| You Have Found That Special Someone! Now | | | | 3. Your guest list should include the two families |
| What? | | | | and close friends, but it shouldn't include |
| The stars have aligned. The day has arrived. The | | | | out-of-town relatives, as you will be asking them |
| moment is perfect. You've found that special | | | | travel for the wedding. |
| someone with whom you want to spend the rest | | | | 4. Gifts are sometimes given by immediate family |
| of your life and you've decided to get married! | | | | members upon hearing of your engagement, but |
| Now what? How do you let everyone know that | | | | not generally at the engagement party. If guests |
| you are getting married? Should you have an | | | | do bring a present, ask them if you can open it |
| engagement party? Who do you invite? Do you | | | | after the party so you don't offend any of the |
| give it to yourself or do you leave it to someone | | | | other guests. |
| else? The thrilling rush has led to a thousand | | | | 5. For more engagement party etiquette |
| questions and a sudden sense of panic! Relax, | | | | guidelines, go to |
| take a deep breath, and we will walk through it | | | | a-to-z-of-manners-and-etiquette.com |
| together! | | | | engagement-party-etiquette.html. |
| Announce Your News to the World! | | | | A Simple Favor Goes A Long Way |
| Once you are officially engaged, the planning for | | | | An important guideline to consider when planning |
| your wedding begins and the first step is | | | | the engagement party (as well as any invitations |
| announcing your news to your friends and family. | | | | and announcements you send out) is that you |
| Many couples choose to send out announcements | | | | should keep in line with the style you would like to |
| to family and friends rather than have an | | | | have at your wedding. If you are having an |
| engagement party. Wedding Announcements or | | | | extremely formal wedding, your engagement |
| Save the Date cards come in a variety of | | | | party or announcement should be similarly formal. |
| different styles. Some choose the traditional card, | | | | You don't have to have your wedding completely |
| while others look for something a little more | | | | planned, but some subtle details can ensure |
| distinctive. If you are looking for a more traditional | | | | continuity between your engagement party or |
| announcement, try The plethora of choices | | | | announcements and your wedding. If you are |
| available for announcement cards might throw | | | | looking forward to a beach wedding, maybe you |
| you a bit, but such variety gives you the | | | | can have your party at a restaurant overlooking |
| opportunity to find something that really fits your | | | | the beach or, if that isn't possible, find beach |
| personality as a couple. A new trend in Save the | | | | wedding favors that will let your friends and |
| Date cards is to send magnets with your | | | | family know what they can look forward to at |
| information on them. From polar bears that are | | | | the wedding. Favors can often be used to |
| bear-ly ever apart, to couples sailing into the | | | | establish a theme or idea and has a diverse |
| sunset, has a multitude of designs that can be fun | | | | selection of items that are sophisticated and |
| and casual or elegant and stylish. | | | | heartwarming. Choose from elegant silver ribbon |
| Engagement Party Etiquette | | | | design picture frames, cute sandcastle candles, |
| If you choose to have an engagement party, | | | | and more. |
| there are a few key factors to remember. There | | | | Whether you decide to have an engagement |
| is an old fashioned rule that the parents of the | | | | party or you simply want to send out |
| bride host the engagement party, but that is | | | | announcements, make sure you remember a few |
| certainly not always the case and it isn't a hard | | | | key details. First, remember to choose a theme |
| and fast rule. Some rules that you may want to | | | | that works for both of you! Second, give your |
| follow are: | | | | guests enough notice of your upcoming wedding |
| | | | to make adjustments to their personal schedules |
| 1. Do not invite any guests that you will not be | | | | if needed. And finally, always keep in mind that |
| inviting to the wedding. | | | | this is about the two of you and just enjoy the |
| 2. Never expect (or ask for) gifts. | | | | moment! |