Are engagement parties done in the USA?

When I was married the first time, many moons ago, I had an engagement party and gifts were brought......

I then had a couple of showers with misc themes.......

I think my family just LOVES to throw parties and what a better reason than a marriage.....

My cousin who lives in Florida ( I am in Chicago) also had an HUGE engagement party, with a rodeo/cowboy/western theme....

If you want one and someone wants to throw it, HAVE it !!!!

I am away at school, and was during the engagement, so didn't have a party..although we went back home and went out to dinner with my family and FH (plus a lot of my friends are scattered other places at school and jobs and stuff)..i think the engagement party here really depends on teh circumstances..however bridal parties seem more standard :-) although thats just my experience!

Thanks. I guess if I have to throw it it will be an extra expense & effort & given that my wedding is only 6 months away maybe I need to put everything into that. It's a tradition at home & I thought I could have one when I go there in February but now that I'm engaged I might have to cancel that trip to use the money for the wedding.

I had a engagement dinner and a few people brought gifts but also my fiancee mother is trowing a bridal shower for us so there could be both

A dinner sounds more simple. Thanks.

I think a diner sounds like a good idea! We didn't do anything special...no engagement

party or dinner, but it is common here.