Celebration etiquette for small wedding?

I think having a engagement party is okay just because your having a smaller wedding doesn't mean your wedding should be less celebrated go have an engagement party and have fun

Also wanted to add I would not be asking for nor expecting gifts from this!

Engagement parties are not usually gift-giving events, so you're in the clear here. You want to avoid a bridal shower with anyone not invited to the wedding though.

Since we don’t drink, we invited my family and friends for lunch in a restaurant, and those friends were people we hang out with and wouldn’t be able to come to our elopement because of the location of the elopement. And that was fine with everyone. As long as your guests understand that you are having a small wedding, and not included in it, there is nothing wrong with engagement party.

Hey I had a bridal brunch and I had a minimony with three guests. I did not ask for gifts but they were given. My MOH and I funded it and had food and drinks. Also, since they are throwing it for you then you are for sure in the clear. If people want to give you gifts that is on them. I am against the mindset or rule that couples cannot have any type of celebration pre wedding because they choose to have a small one. I can agree asking for gifts in any situation is rude but you do deserve to have some pre wedding happiness.

It is traditional that when all people giving a party know they will all not be invited, and they choose to give a shower anyway, usually with only one group gift, or token gifts from all , $5-10, not expecting the kind of gifts a closer friend might give, this is fine. And I cannot see why this would be so different. Like my coworkers, and my quilting group, I also had one from my parents neighbors. Mothers whose kids I played with or babysat, whose farms I worked as day labor. And the hometown librarian and innkeeper who gave me my first jobs. Whether you call it a late engagement party, or a club shower bu those not attending, you are not building false hopes, or accepting things of great value. Seems fine to me.

In areas where they are common, it's rare to not bring a gift to an engagement party but everyone understands they are optional. But as anyone can host the engagement party except the couple, that is fine. Anyone except the couple can also host a shower in your honor, regardless of being invited..as is common among churches, coworkers and social groups.