Everything you need to know about planning an engagement party from bride-to-be and our Social Editor, Holly Harris. From stylish invites to thoughtful personal touches and the perfect playlist, here’s how to host a celebration that feels effortless, polished, and unmistakably you.
While our wedding may be a couple of years away, we never miss an excuse to gather our favourite people to have a boogie – and our engagement felt like the perfect moment to do just that. After all, it’s your first real chance to toast this exciting new chapter and bring all your loved ones together, often for the very first time. So here’s how we chose to celebrate: nothing over the top, just completely us – relaxed, and full love.
When to Have It
Honestly, don’t overthink it. The day after we got engaged in the Philippines, I was already deep into Pinterest boards, planning the engagement party and dreaming of hosting it the moment we landed back home. But finding a date when all our favourite people were free turned out to be trickier than expected, so we ended up celebrating just over three months later.
So, I’d say the sweet spot is anywhere from one to three months post-proposal. It keeps the buzz alive and gives everyone a chance to soak up the joy of your news. Plus, I don’t think I could’ve waited any longer.
Choosing the Perfect Venue
Your venue sets the tone, so start by asking yourself what YOU want from this celebration. Is it an intimate dinner with your closest circle? A relaxed family gathering at your local pub? Or are you picturing something bigger – renting out your favourite cocktail bar and filling it with everyone you love?
We went all in on the latter. We chose one of our go-to cocktail spots, hired it out for the evening, and threw a big engagement party with everyone we adore. It was exactly what we wanted.
The Guest List & Invites
Unlike your wedding, this isn’t an invite-everyone moment. We wanted something a little more intimate, so we started with close friends, immediate family, and those we hadn’t yet celebrated with.
For our invites, we kept things simple and personal. We created a Facebook group for most guests and sent individual invites via WhatsApp to others. I designed them myself on Canva, along with a few other personal touches we scattered throughout the venue to make it feel like us.
What to Wear
When else do you get to dress like a bride before the big day? I wanted a look that felt bridal but still low-key to match my style. After trying on a few white linen numbers that felt a bit too casual, I thought – why not lean into the moment and choose something a little more bridal? I ended up wearing a white satin dress from Odd Muse, and I’m so glad I did.
I accessorised with butter yellow heels and matching nails – a subtle nod to our wedding day palette and the colour I was wearing when we got engaged. My fiancé kept things light and summery in a linen shirt and beige trousers to complement the vibe.
We asked our guests to ‘dress up’ – because honestly, why not make the most of the occasion?
Food & Drinks
Since we hosted our engagement party in a cocktail bar, we had a private bar in the room and served some picky bits to eat – just enough to keep people going. But honestly, having all our favourite people in one space, chatting, laughing, and mingling, was more than enough. We didn’t feel the need to go over the top. We did however, make sure our go-to drink – Aperol Spritz – was on the menu. Non-negotiable.
Personal Touches
We really wanted the space to feel like ours, so we put on our DIY hats and added a few thoughtful touches. Myself and my sister filled 50 bud vases with white and butter-yellow flowers – again, a subtle nod to our wedding palette and scattered them around the room.
Since we’ve been together for 11 years, we also created a photo wall filled with snapshots from throughout our relationship, stringing them up with fairy lights to add a bit of nostalgia. My favourite detail were the little postcards we designed for our guests to fill out, with fun prompts and questions – we asked: ‘one word to describe us’, ‘favourite memory with us’ and ‘song request for the wedding’.
If you’re planning something similar, please steal this idea – the responses had me in tears the next morning.
The Playlist
This is the secret to any party: a playlist that’s completely yours.
Our tip? Grab yourself a bottle of wine one night, sit down together, and build a playlist that tells your story – from your first date songs to holiday memories. It’s intimate, fun, and sets the tone for the celebration.
Final Thoughts
Don’t overthink it – After all, this isn’t your wedding day – it’s the warm-up! Focus on what you want as a couple, not what you think everyone else expects. Whether that’s a big bash or a cosy dinner.
Make it personal – It’s the little touches that people remember. A signature cocktail, a photo wall, or hand-written notes can turn a beautiful night into an unforgettable one.
Create space to mingle – The magic happens when your favourite people from all parts of your life come together. So keep it informal, the music flowing, and the atmosphere easy.
READ NEXT: The Engagement Story With Our Social Editor, Holly Harris
