Too late to have an engagement party?

Also wondering nearly the exact same thing as OP

No do it !

Don't do it. We had one hosted for us and it was just a waste. I'm grateful that someone offered, but it was just somewhat awkward.

I feel like engagement parties should be hosted relatively soon after an engagement, or it just feels awkward to call them engagement parties. It's really nice of her to offer, but you will (I'm guessing) have a bridal shower coming up shortly after that since you're wedding date says Jan 2018. it also sounds slightly gift grabby to me if I were invited to both if they are occurring within that short a time-frame. If she wants to host a party I'm all for it, but I wouldn't refer to it as an engagement party in the slightest.

I kind of think they're a waste.

My MOH did this for her wedding and she regretted it

It kinda locks you into a super early guest list usually. I'm glad we didn't have one hosted for us. I would skip it if I were you, I think if they're done it needs to be within the first 3 mos.

I would say skip the engagement party at this point, especially if it wouldn't be until this summer (after being engaged almost a year).

I really think engagement parties are unnecessary in general.

If she wants to throw it and your ok with it then go for it

I would skip it

You got engaged August 2016, you're getting married January 2018, your Mom wants to throw it in the Summer of 2017, and it's now March?

Skip it.

I'm also team "have it 2-3 months after getting engaged". At this point, I feel that the only thing wedding related that folks should be receiving in the mail would be STDs.

Bear in mind that anyone invited to the engagement party must be invited to the wedding. As Jillian said, it locks you in to a guest list. I also think it's kind of late since you will have been engaged for a year by then.

I agree with PP, you should maybe suggest your mom that she hosts the bridal show in her house - its nice of her to offer the space. I recently attended to a engagement party to which the couple waited bout 5 months to throw and it was kinda weird, I mean we all have congratulated them, some people sent presents right after it became official, so it felt like gift grabby. Depends on your crowd and how is being handled until now but I would not throw it now.

I like the idea of engagement parties for couples whose families won't have a chance to get to know each other before the wedding. It becomes less about you as a couple, and shifts the focus onto letting your families and bridal party get to know each other and celebrate an expanding family.

My mom hosted ours 6 months after our engagement and 8 months before our wedding specifically so that our close family could get to know each other before the wedding. She made it clear gifts were not expected, and that the event was an opportunity to meet future in-laws, while inviting them to celebrate our engagement. It worked out really well for us, and every one of our guests has made a point of contacting us after the event to thank us and my mom for providing them an opportunity to get to know each other before the wedding. They all felt like it will make the wedding more meaningful and all the small talk/mingling less awkward.

I think the timing really depends on your situation and intent.

ETA: words are hard

Maybe she could make it a couple's shower instead of an engagement party? That way your families would still have the opportunity to meet but it would be more of an appropriately themed party considering the timing.

I've been to one engagement party and I just thought it was kinda odd. Wasn't sure what to buy as a gift and just thought it was kinda unnecessary. I think time wise it's a little late also

Yes. It should be within like 3months of your engagement.

View Quoted Comment What if it's instead of a shower? My sister wants a coed pre wedding celebration and doesnt want a shower with games n gifts.

View Quoted Comment This is what my sister wants. She doesnt wana be center of attention or play dumb games lol