When couples become engaged it can be a mini-whirlwind of excitement. They must announce their engagement and many couples choose to throw an engagement party, so it’s important to know a little bit about party etiquette.
Engagement Party Gifts
Unlike weddings, guests will not necessarily buy the couple an engagement gift, so it’s not typical to have a gift registry for an engagement. While many guests will buy a gift, couples shouldn’t expect one, as other guests will just purchase a wedding gift when the time comes.
Having said that, if guests begin asking what the couple would like, it is quite okay to offer gift ideas. Otherwise, if guests do bring gifts, couples can expect things for the home, such as kitchen items, from crockery to cookware, towels to bedding, vases to picture frames.
Engagement Party Thank You Cards
Couples should send thank you cards to guests, especially those who did bring gifts or give money or gift vouchers. Handwritten cards are more personal than pre-printed cards. Couples should also mention the gift and how it will be cherished for years to come. Wording for thank you cards could be:
Dear Bob and Janine,
Thank you both so much for helping us to celebrate our engagement and thank you for your generous gift. We have put the gift voucher towards a Mixmaster and we are both very excited to be doing a lot of baking in the future.
Love,
Sally and Peter.
Dear Craig and Marsha,
Thank you both so much for helping us to celebrate our engagement and thank you for the beautiful frame. We have placed it on our mantle and plan to place one of our wedding photos inside. We love the gift and will cherish it for years to come.
Love,
Sally and Peter.
If couples wish to send thank you cards to guests who attended the party but didn’t bring a gift, they could say:
Dear Lisa and Mark,
Thank you both so much for helping us to celebrate our engagement. It was lovely to see you both and we look forward to seeing you at the wedding in April.
Love,
Sally and Peter.
Couples should try to personalize thank you cards and make sure they are sincere. Ultimately, the wording is a personal choice and will depend on how formal/informal the party was and the relationship with the guest. You may also like to read Choosing an Engagement Ring and Engagement Ring Insurance.
Roberta Goli - Roberta has a Bachelor of Science Degree (Zoology), has worked with animals for over 10 years and enjoys writing short stories and flash ...
