[section is_fullwidth=”” section_header=”{"gadget":"off","on":{"heading_title":"","heading_description":"","text_color":""}}” background_color=”” background_image=”” video=”” template=”” auto_generated=”1″ _array_keys=”{"section_header":"section_header"}” _made_with_builder=”true”][row][column width=”2_3″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” extra_class=”” _made_with_builder=”true”][special_heading title=”Pattie's Sage Advice: 6 Tips To Have a Fun Engagement Party!” subtitle=”Congrats, you’re newly engaged! It’s time to celebrate with a fun engagement party! Here’s some “sage advice” on how to have a warm and meaningful one.” heading=”h1″ centered=”1″ _made_with_builder=”true”][/special_heading][/column][column width=”1_3″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” extra_class=”” _made_with_builder=”true”][/column][/row][row][column width=”1_3″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” extra_class=”” _made_with_builder=”true”][text_block text=”<p><strong>1. Who’s hosting?</strong></p> <p>Often it’s the parents of the engaged couple who throw the party, but sometimes the party is thrown by friends, or by the couple themselves.</p>” _made_with_builder=”true”][/text_block][/column][column width=”1_3″ padding_left=”75″ padding_right=”” extra_class=”” _made_with_builder=”true”][media_image image=”{"attachment_id":"6411","url":"\\/\\/rochestercaterer.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2016\\/04\\/55PYWYcGLJcTAd79zkcZeCjVk6ziR6oaHtQf5Y3GM78.jpg"}” width=”250″ height=”150″ link=”” target=”_self” _array_keys=”{"image":"image"}” _made_with_builder=”true”][/media_image][/column][column width=”1_3″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” extra_class=”” _made_with_builder=”true”][/column][/row][row][column width=”2_3″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” extra_class=”” _made_with_builder=”true”][text_block text=”<p><strong>2. Who to invite? When to have it?</strong></p> <p>An engagement party usually takes place within a month or two of announcing it to the world. It is essentially a small, getting-to-know-you party. Invite people you definitely want to be a part of your wedding day, taking into account any travel plans that may need to be made for out of towners.</p> <p><em>Etiquette Note:</em> Office and “pay back” friends are not invited to this event, maybe a shower later on…</p> <p><em>Etiquette Note (2):</em> Gifts are not expected at an engagement party. Please make sure the invitation is clear that<em><strong> </strong>“Your being at our engagement party is the only present we need.”</em> If someone does bring a gift, thank them and set it aside, do not open it in front of the other guests…awkward!</p>” _made_with_builder=”true”][/text_block][/column][column width=”1_3″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” extra_class=”” _made_with_builder=”true”][/column][/row][row][column width=”1_3″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” extra_class=”” _made_with_builder=”true”][media_image image=”{"attachment_id":"6098","url":"\\/\\/rochestercaterer.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2015\\/11\\/richppaprocki-photo-e1458836597747.jpg"}” width=”300″ height=”200″ link=”” target=”_self” _array_keys=”{"image":"image"}” _made_with_builder=”true”][/media_image][media_image image=”{"attachment_id":"6424","url":"\\/\\/rochestercaterer.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2016\\/04\\/champagne-toast.jpg"}” width=”300″ height=”175″ link=”” target=”_self” _array_keys=”{"image":"image"}” _made_with_builder=”true”][/media_image][/column][column width=”1_3″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” extra_class=”” _made_with_builder=”true”][text_block text=”<p><strong>3. Where to have it? What to eat and drink?</strong></p> <p>At your home, in a private room at a restaurant or rentable venue, remember, you want to keep the party small and private so that you can get to know your fiancé’s family and friends.</p> <p>A bubbly beverage at guests’ arrival sets a fun tone. Champagne or Gingerale just make sure the flute is festively decorated with a berry! Have drinks you enjoy – after all this party is all about YOU!</p> <p>Menu-wise? Can be as varied as flipping burgers on the grill or an upscale tasting party in a penthouse. <em>The only “wrong” menu is one where the tastes of the engaged couple are not taken into account</em>. If you have a specific diet, please make sure the host knows so there is plenty of delicious foods for you to enjoy.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>” _made_with_builder=”true”][/text_block][/column][/row][row][column width=”2_3″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” extra_class=”” _made_with_builder=”true”][text_block text=”<p><strong>4. What to do?</strong></p> <p>Having a couple of ice breaker activities that don’t involve embarrassing anyone (that’s for the rehearsal dinner)&nbsp;is a very good idea. Google “party ice breakers” and you’ll find tons of fun “wedding-centric” ideas.</p> <p>Remember, this party is only 2-3 hours long, so make it chock-a-block about YOU, the engaged couple!</p> <p>Express warm, heart-felt thanks to your party host, parents, guests, and especially, to each other.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>” _made_with_builder=”true”][/text_block][/column][column width=”1_3″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” extra_class=”” _made_with_builder=”true”][/column][/row][row][column width=”1_3″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” extra_class=”” _made_with_builder=”true”][text_block text=”<p><strong>5. Why have an engagement party?</strong></p> <p>Discovery. Now is the time to meet each other’s family and very close friends, and actually have real conversations with them. You’re about to embark on a lifelong relationship with them, too, start it off right!</p> <p><strong>6. Thank everyone – profusely. </strong></p> <p>Wedding engagement is a time for excitement. It’s also a time to become profoundly grateful, after all you’re going to be married to the love of your life!</p>” _made_with_builder=”true”][/text_block][/column][column width=”1_3″ padding_left=”75″ padding_right=”” extra_class=”” _made_with_builder=”true”][media_image image=”{"attachment_id":"6414","url":"\\/\\/rochestercaterer.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2016\\/04\\/20150517_185732.jpg"}” width=”300″ height=”200″ link=”” target=”_self” _array_keys=”{"image":"image"}” _made_with_builder=”true”][/media_image][/column][column width=”1_3″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” extra_class=”” _made_with_builder=”true”][/column][/row][row][column width=”1_3″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” extra_class=”” _made_with_builder=”true”][/column][/row][/section]