Engagement Party Gift Etiquette

 Engagement Party Gift Etiquette

Engagement parties are weird. Okay, so they’re actually pretty normal but what I mean is, the gift etiquette is often unknown or undisclosed, leaving guests confused as to what is most appropriate. Plus, couples probably don’t feel comfortable asking for specific gifts or price ranges; it often feels awkward.

In order to determine an adequate gift budget, reflect on the circumstances of the wedding, as well as the circumstances of your friendship. Also consider the couple and their relationship, and use that information to your advantage.

For Couples

You’ll be receiving plenty of gifts closer to the wedding, and your guests aren’t loaded, so mentioning that gifts are “completely optional and unexpected” is a great way to show you appreciate their kindness.  

Couples who would like gifts at the engagement party can mention their registry on the invitation, as a polite way to send the message “ a gift is appropriate at this party”.

Whatever you decide, don’t leave it unsaid. That’s when nobody knows what is going on, and one person spends half as much as someone else does.

For Guests

If you’re in the wedding party, you can help with the party. Maybe make a dish, buy drinks, or offer to clean up after guests leave. You can pair this with a small gift, as the couple knows you’re already spending a lot on going to their wedding, let alone the wedding shower and wedding gifts up ahead.

If you’re a guest, getting an average gift at a modest price is appropriate. It’s more important to get something that shows you know and care for the couple than to give an expensive gift. Many guests give two smaller gifts, one at the engagement party, and one at the reception. Couples are often so happy to see their guests that they’re not focused on what you spend on them.

What is the average budget for a wedding?

Sticking to a budget for your wedding is a great way to make sure you do not spend too much money. Your wedding is supposed to be a dream come true, but that doesn’t mean you need to go into debt to make your dream a reality. 

Establishing a budget from the beginning is not only a great way to make sure you don’t spend too much money, it’s also the perfect way to breakdown where you, as a couple, want to invest the most money in. 

According to a study by The Budget Savvy Bride, the average cost for a wedding is approximately $27,000. Some of the most expensive aspects of a wedding include the reception venue, reception band or entertainment, the engagement ring and the wedding photography. 

Although we may be biased, when planning a wedding, it’s important to set aside a good amount of your budget to spend on a photographer. What are the areas you spend the most money for your wedding? 

For a closer look at what brides and grooms spent their budget on, check out the infographic below. 

(Source: http://thebudgetsavvybride.com/2011-real-weddings-study-results-from-theknot-com-and-weddingchannel-com/)

Fun and Silly Wedding Ideas: Witty invitations, photos, and more!

Wedding News: Humorous invitation goes viral, even passes royal baby!

A Chicago couple held a memorable and fun ceremony, by jesting with their guests. Doing something a bit “out there” can be a memorable experience for everyone; this couple took full advantage of their collective wit and charm. They did it by teasing their guests with a bit of humor before the ceremony.

Attendees of the Kerr/Sabina wedding received a rather unique invitation in the mail. When asked for their RSVP guests were encouraged to select from a few witty and creative responses. Attending guests could select comical options like “I’m in your wedding party, idiot! Wait, is this optional?” or “Two Words: Free Booze”. Guests who were unable to attend the ceremony were prompted by a playful guilt trip stating, “I’m lame, on a scale of 1-10, my lameness would be in the 9.5 to 9.8 range”.

(read more here)

Don’t be afraid to have a little fun with your wedding invitations, photography, music, and stationary!

Katie Kerr, bride, told abcnews that she just wanted to have some fun with her invitations, and so she did. It all depends on the couple, but if you’re the type that likes to tease and banter, you may want to take a page out of the Kerr/Sabina book of wit.

Obviously, with the invitation gone viral, copying these exact options would put your invitations at about a 9.9 on the lame scale, but mimicking the idea in your own way could be a lot of fun! Even if your invitations don’t suddenly go more viral than the birth of the royal baby, you’ll still make your guests chuckle and smile for your special day.

A few ideas you can use to make your own include…

I will attend:

_I plan to object

_My presence is your present

_It depends on the bridesmaid dress you picked

_I’m only going for the cake/booze/pretty bridesmaids (circle one)

_I’m too polite to say no

I cannot make it because:

_A slight jab at the guest for not coming, but nothing overly mean

_Joke about a well-known fact about the bride or groom

_Celebrating alone (for those who live far and can’t make it)

_Other:__________________________________________

 

Tips on Choosing Your Wedding Party

Choosing The Wedding Party 

One of the first things a bride considers after engagement is her wedding party. The excitement wears off after a while, and you begin to worry about hurt feelings, people getting along, and of course, how many bridesmaids to have. 

First think about the ladies you plan to ask. Are they good friends and have you spoke recently? So what if you promised your high school bff she could be your maid of honor; it's not a binding contract. If she doesn't make an effort, or if you don't speak often, she might not take the role seriously. People you call just to talk, friends who help you move, or family are all perfect choices. 

Many brides struggle with the dilemma of hurt feelings, subsequently having someone in the wedding party that did not deserve such a spot. The truth is, it's your wedding and your bridal party so you get the final say. 

When it comes to grooms, many of them are laid back and have enough friends that they have an easy time picking their groomsmen. Men often choose their brothers, or soon-to-be brother-in-law, and close friends. If your party numbers don't even up, don't throw in just anyone, you could always have two bridesmaid per each groom, it always makes for many smiles and it takes the pressure off an awkward couple walking down the aisle. 

Make sure the group works in synergy, you will be at fittings together, and you’ll all be in the limo and at the head table. If there's an ex-couple around, or two people who dislike each other, consider why they're in the wedding party. If either one of them isn't extremely close to you, eliminate the problem by keeping them apart. If both parties are crucial to the wedding, maybe speak to them in private and ask them to try to have fun and smile, just for you. A good friend will respect any of your wishes on your wedding day.

Some couples go as far as "testing" their friends before mentioning the engagement. This is a great idea because you can see who really deserves it. Call up one of your friends just to catch up and see if they are genuinely interested in your well-being. You'll learn a lot about your friends when you start paying attention. 

Whichever way you go about it, remember to listen to that little voice in your head. Invite only the people who mean the world to you.

Memorable Proposal Ideas

There is nothing more exciting to a woman than a unique proposal. As we all know, newly engaged women will tell the tale of the proposal to anyone who will listen.

While there are many ways to propose to the woman of your dreams, it can be difficult to come up with an original idea. For you men who are planning a proposal in the coming months, with help from The Knot, we have compiled a list of the best, wedding proposal ideas.

1. Proposal aboard a private sailing yacht: Whether you choose an afternoon or evening sail, take your significant other out for a cruise around the NYC harbor and propose on the water, complete with champagne to celebrate!

2. Newspaper Ad: Take out a full-page advertisement in a newspaper your girlfriend reads daily.

3. Love Note: Write a love note with the proposal at the end, and place it in the book your girlfriend is currently reading, or somewhere she will find it. When she finds the note, surprise her with the ring.

4. Magnetic: Spell out your marriage proposal in refrigerator magnets, for a playful, sweet proposal.

5. Treasure Hunt: Send your girlfriend on a treasure hunt around the city to all of your favorite spots. The last stop should be you down on one knee!

6. Write it in the Sky: Hire a skywriter to write the proposal in the sky.

7. YouTube: Make her a YouTube video with the proposal and tell her you have a video you want her to see; you’ll know when to get down on one knee.

8. Fortune Cookie: Make a personalized fortune cookie with your proposal as the message.

9. Candles and Roses: Have a trail of candles and roses leading to the ring.

10. Family Affair: Have both your families around for the proposal, ready to celebrate with you when she says yes!

While we think these are great proposal ideas, we recommend taking them and making them your own. Think of these as a jumping off point!

A Note on Wedding Invitation Etiquette

Once you're engaged, you have a lot of (fun) work to do to plan your wedding. From choosing the date and your bridal party, and finding a florist, venue, and caterer, the decisions you'll need to make may seem never-ending! Once you have decided on when and where you'll be strutting down the aisle and popping open the champagne, it is time to think about the invitations. While the colors and design are important in tying into the overall look of your big day, equally important is the wedding invitation etiquette.

Below is an infographic on Wedding Invitation Etiquette. With tips about the host line, request line, reception information, the insert and the rsvp line, this resource is a great tool to use when finalizing your wedding invitations.

(Source: Simply Bridal)