Farewell party while engaged - etiquette?

I dont see why it would have anything to do with the wedding. If people ask, just say, "We havent finalized our plans yet but plan to keep it intimate with only close family and friends. Let's get back to parting!"

Don't say anything. No one wants to get an invite "Hey you're invited come say good bye, but you're not invited to the wedding". Plus, If you move in April/May, but August you may not be in contact with as may people anyways, it's just natural when moving that you may only stay in contact with just a few people.

If people ask, just say the truth, "FH and I both have large families, so we decided to keep it mostly family". Most people will get the hint.

I don't quite see the connection. Why would people think they're invited to the wedding if they're invited to a farewell party? It's not an engagement party, right?

Ya I dont get it either.

No, its not an engagement party. But I'm already being asked about the wedding; things like "can we bring our kids?", "can't wait to see you walk down the aisle!" - comments that definitely imply they think they will be invited. Which is presumptuous, i realize, but it's also something i have to deal with.

Maybe its helpful to share that i was invited to several of these people's weddings - like 4-5 years ago. But we've drifted, I rarely see them, and they are an easy cut from the wedding invite list. But they are definitely assuming they will be invited to the wedding.

Keep the two separate. You have enough time before the wedding that you can smile and nod, or just say, you haven't finalized everything yet.

The assumption is rude on their part, but you just ignore it, or if you must reply, "we haven't finalized our guest list yet" and then...don't invite them. They'll figure it out when they aren't invited.

I don't like the "intimate" wedding story unless you really are. One of my friends was told by a close friend of his that she was having a tiny, intimate wedding. Then the pictures hit Facebook and it was a big country club wedding, and it was just that one of her bridesmaids said the bride has to choose between her and my friend attending. She chose the bridesmaid. My friend's feelings were really hurt that she lied to him.

I think the connection is, she is saying goodbye to them because she won't see them again, IE won't see them at the wedding?

I think its fine though. Just don't talk about your wedding plans at all.

Yeah, I would just smile and nod, and they'll realize they weren't invited when they don't get an invite. Easy peasy.