Engagement Party. Is it necessary?

See I was always told you throw your own , a few friends of mine that recently got engaged threw their own. I choose not too I didn't understand the point of it plus it's more unnecessary money you have to spend.

We hosted a dinner at our house for our parents and siblings to be able to socialize together. Not an engagement party, just really an excuse for both our immediate families to be able to see each other.

It's considered bad form to throw a party in your own honour, which is why it's best not to throw your own.

The engagement parties I have been to have been hosted by the couple, and were not gift giving events. If you want to have one or someone wants to host one, I would say do it within the year. But, as others said, it's not necessary or even necessarily expected.

Nope. We did not have one, and I don't regret it. The wedding calls for showers, bach/bachelorette parties, all that stuff, people have to travel enough already even JUST for the one event (the wedding), I think it is excessive.

Becky. I see you said that if no one offers to do an engagement party, then you don't get one. Well my question is...why does Wedding Wire have it on the checklist? Or am I just weird to wonder about that? LOL. I don't know.