Engagement parties aren’t supposed to empty your wallet; they’re supposed to be an intimate celebration with your closest friends and family to honor you and your fiance – don’t forget that in the midst of all the planning! We’re here to help you save money for your big day, so we put together a list of the most important things to consider when you want to throw an engagement party on the everyday girl budget.
Stick your budget – it’s not the time to go overboard!
Save the extra cash for the ceremony and reception – it’s inevitable that you’ll overspend along the way, so don’t blow the budget early on with the engagement party. Check out different vendors, price out different food, drinks, and rentals, and add everything up ahead of time. Factor in some unexpected and hidden costs so you don’t get blindsided by a surprise fee. But most importantly, come up with a figure early on in your planning, and remind yourself how crucial it is to stick to it!
Keep the invite list small.
The best tip to keep an intimate engagement party low-cost is to simply keep it intimate. Don’t go crazy with the guest list – you can do that later! Keep it low-key and personal, since the whole point of an engagement party is to bring the two families together ahead of the wedding. Not only will you save money on food and drinks, but you’ll also have a much more special affair, since everyone will be able to mingle and get to know one another before the big day.
Skip the open bar.
No matter how fun you want your celebration to be, there’s nothing fun about the price tag that comes along with an open bar, so keep the drink menu simple. Select a few signature drinks beforehand, and avoid over-the-top cocktails that are more hassle than they’re worth. Forget the fussy ingredients and go with something classy that everyone will enjoy like a fresh and fruity sangria!
Skip the three course menu, too!
Simplify your food just like your drink menu! You should have a little something for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you need to offer a fancy sit-down meal of everyone’s choice. Go with something effortless like finger foods that you can keep dishing out throughout the evening. We just came up with an awesome list of fresh new apps here.
Save the florals for the big day.
You don’t need vase upon vase of fresh flowers at your engagement party, so save the flower budget for the ceremony. Instead, thrift some fun centerpieces for a shabby chic vibe. For a really romantic look, use soft string lights and simple wood accents. You can totally DIY your engagement party decor, too! But remember – for an intimate party like this one, you don’t have to go over the top in your decor or in your budget.
