It’s engagement season! Kickstart celebrations by throwing a party that will give guests a taster of what’s to come on the big day…

Weddings are a wonderful thing. Finding the right person to say ‘I do’ to is indescribably special, which is why weddings call for more than one type of celebration. Throwing an engagement party is a great way to start your life as a married couple, bringing your nearest and dearest together to be a part of this special event.

With a million and one things to plan before the big day, you might find that the engagement party preparations get a bit lost under all the other parts to sort. That’s why we’ve put together a quick guide for you to follow so you can plan your engagement party with zero hassle. The great thing about an engagement party is that it can be as grand, or as simple, as you want it to be. Planning an engagement party shouldn’t be stressful. After all, the most important thing about it is that you have fun!

Choosing a theme for your engagement party

Themes are fun, exciting and memorable. They can be wacky, bold and playful, or sleek, sophisticated and minimalistic. If you’re not sure what type of theme to settle on then why not start by selecting something that has a bit of meaning to you and your partner. This can be as on-the-nose or as metaphorical as you like.

For example, if your first date was at the cinema then you might want to go for a red carpet Hollywood theme. Glam your night up with a make-shift red carpet and set a formal dress code. If you really want to impress your guests then you could greet them with a glass of prosecco. Alternatively, you could throw a fun but classic masquerade ball.

Or, perhaps you want to focus your theme on something you both love. This could be the perfect opportunity for chocoholic romantics to throw their own chocolate-themed party. Create your own Charlie and the Chocolate Factory experience for guests, with a showstopping chocolate fountain and fanciful chocolate shapes.

And, if you’ve put in a request for presents, you’re sure to get a few engagement gifts designed for chocolate lovers.

It might also be worth considering what season it is when you throw your party. A hot summer’s day lends itself perfectly to a garden party with lots of fresh flowers and fruity drinks, whilst a winter’s eve might mean warming drinks, served by an open fire. 

Engagement party invitations

This is a pretty important step that can’t be missed. If you want to keep things simple, you could message or call guests to invite them. However, there’s something rather special about tangible, paper invitations that build anticipation.

Ideally, you want to send out invitations at least a month before the event so that you can receive confirmation from everyone who can come. Make sure you include an RSVP for anyone who doesn’t have your phone number or social media details. Essentials to include are the date, time, dress code, and whether or not you’ll be providing refreshments.

If this is the first time some of your guests are hearing of the engagement then it can be a nice idea to send out a little gift alongside the invitation. This doesn’t have to be anything extravagant, just a token. You might choose a favour that gives guests a clue about the theme of the party. For instance, f your engagement party is based on a starry night in Paris then some Chocolate Macarons ought to get them even more excited.

Engagement party decorations

If you’ve settled on a more novel idea for a theme then you’ll really want to nail it on the decorations. This doesn’t mean you should spend an arm and a leg in a prop store. Ready-made decorations look the part, but they can also be rather pricey. There are plenty of homemade, creative ways for you to centre your decorations around your engagement party theme. Sometimes, less is more.

For example, if your theme is inspired by a specific movie, say Great Gatsby, then decorating the room with fairy lights adds a magical sparkle to match the glitz and glam. You can also buy peacock feathers for a fairly low price online. Place a few in jars or jugs and dot around the room for an art deco vibe.

If you’re a pair who love to travel then you can make your party decorations particularly meaningful to you both. Display pictures of your travels around the room for guests to see. Not only does this perfectly encapsulate your theme, but it also gives guests a fun little insight into your journey together as a couple.

Games and activities

An engagement party is a brilliant way to introduce your and your fiancee’s families to one another if they haven’t spent much time together. As such, you might like to allow them time to mingle.

However, if you want to have more of a structure, games and activities can make great ice breakers. A treasure hunt is fun. It’s exciting and is a great way to keep children occupied if your engagement party includes little ones. Alternatively, if it’s more of an adult-only evening then a poker night makes for a sophisticated take on your normal evening.

And if you’d rather party, then drinking games are always a good place to start. Our Cacao Gin gives an elegant edge to the night. Just remember to drink responsibly.

Food and drink options

If you’re planning on consuming alcohol during your engagement party then it might be an idea to serve some type of food alongside the tipples. After all, this should be a night to remember; no hangover should subsume those memories!

Refreshments don’t have to be too lavish if you’re on a budget. Crisps and dips, sandwiches, and cupcakes make for a simple yet effective buffet.

What about alcohol? It’s a nice idea to have a toast — champagne and prosecco are the classic options, of course. But if you want a little twist, you could try whipping up some delectable cacao-infused cocktails.

What about gifts?

Often, your friends and family will want to bring an engagement gift to your party. To make sure their generous offerings don’t go to waste, some couples choose to write a gift registry so they don’t end up with unnecessary or duplicated items. You may wish to do this, too, or request guests bring drinks to the party, instead. Alternatively, you could ask them to make a donation to a charity or simply enjoy the surprises! The choice is yours.

And if you have a friend’s engagement party to attend, why not explore our range of Engagement Gifts that are sure to please any chocolate-loving couple?