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Just Said Yes February 2020

Engagement party, who pays?

Jarred, on December 16, 2018 at 10:28 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 12
Are engagement parties still very common? If so, will my SO and I be expected to pay for everyone’s meal if it’s at a restaurant? (We don’t have family that will be helping financially.) Also who attends?

12 Comments

Latest activity by Andrea, on December 17, 2018 at 6:46 PM
  • Aiesha
    Dedicated November 2019
    Aiesha ·
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    I have the same question. I am paying for my entire wedding so I am wondering if someone else throws our engagement party or how that works.
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  • B
    Beginner November 2019
    Brittany ·
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    As far as I know if someone offers to throw you an engagement party then you can have one. But I always heard that it's frowned upon to throw one for yourself. So I guess if you did have one for yourself you'd probably be expected to pay for it? But I don't really know, that's just my thoughts

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  • J
    Just Said Yes February 2020
    Jarred ·
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    View Quoted Comment
    Thank you!
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  • Kelly
    Champion October 2018
    Kelly ·
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    Usually an engagement party is hosted by someone other than the bride and groom and the host would pay. I don’t think they are very common.
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  • Lostforest
    Dedicated September 2019
    Lostforest ·
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    Yeah, traditionally one or more of the parents throws the engagement party, and should pay for most of it.

    In our case, we didn't really want one but my mother insisted. But then when the time came to actually set up for it and do it, she gave us the money for food and decorations but we had to do the setting up lol.
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  • M
    Devoted May 2019
    Meg ·
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    Engagement parties aren’t as common now since weddings are becoming much more elaborate and expensive. My family threw a surprise engagement party the night we got engaged and we didn’t have a real meal just heavy hors d’ouvres and desserts. I got to hug everyone just 20 minutes after FH proposed so I was kinda of on a happy love high. It was nice because I didn’t have to call them to break the news. But typically I’ve only seen engagement parties if they are the day or night off or within a few days of the proposal. Bride and groom typically wouldn’t host
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  • Melissa
    VIP September 2019
    Melissa ·
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    I’ve only had 2 people I know have actual engagement parties, which I find actually annoying. Engagement party, bridal shower and wedding = tons of money. We did not have an engagement party but we did want our immediate families to meet so we had everyone over to our house for a casual afternoon lunch and watch some football to celebrate.
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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    If it's at a meal time and a restaurant, I would pay for guests food. Another option is to have it at someone's house not during a meal time (10-11 AM or 2-4 PM or 7-9 PM) and just do appetizers.

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  • Angerra
    VIP August 2019
    Angerra ·
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    I think engagement parties are up to the couple. We're not having an engagement party; not for any particular reason. I just didn't think it was necessary.
    It's a party whenever we get together with our family!
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  • Alexandra
    Super December 2018
    Alexandra ·
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    We didn't have one, but you can invite whoever you'd like... if you want to pay for everyone, or you can tell them before hand ... or do something small for family and close friends at your house...

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  • Joanna
    Devoted February 2016
    Joanna ·
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    It's in the group of parties you don't throw for yourself...showers, bachelor/ette parties, engagement parties. If someone does offer to host one for you, don't invite anyone who isn't going to be invited to the wedding.

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  • Andrea
    Master January 2021
    Andrea ·
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    We didn't have an engagement party and we're pretty happy about that. I'm not sure if they are common anymore, to be honest, it just depends on the couple and their families/friends!

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