Backyard engagement party!

So if your parents are hosting, I'd recommend that you & FH be guests and allow your parents to handle everything for you. Most engagement parties I've been to have been very casual like you described (with the exception of one) so just relax and enjoy yourself. You'll probably tell your engagement story more times than you'd like but such is life when you are the bride.

It's usually handled by the parents but if they are wanting help I would ask what they want help with. It's usually pretty laid back.

Thanks! My mom & I are very close & she wants me to plan it with her because it's just more fun for us that way! I definitely will try to lean more towards just being the guest, though.

My parents hosted ours. I helped them with cleaning up after and food prep before and did volunteer to bake my own engagement cake...surprisingly emotional! It was just food, mingling, and fun. I didn't get enough time to spend much with the people I wanted to get to know better; time flew. Enjoy it!

Yeah normal the hosts are in charge of all that but if you want certain things go ahead and voice them and see what everyone agrees on? We did one at a brunch outdoorsy place and just had that I-do woohoo balloon bouquet in the middle with some ring confetti.. Then just our date banner and it was simple but perfect! Every picture had a cute accent in it but not overdone.. Maybe some flowers in mason jars? Super cute!

My friends hosted our engagement party in a backyard! They made is super cute and used a bunch of picnic tables, flowers in mason jars, and put beer in a wheelbarrow full of ice!