The Ultimate Guide to Planning an Engagement PartY in Spokane

What is an engagement party? An engagement party is a fun celebration that kicks off a couple’s journey toward marriage. Usually hosted by the couple or their families, it’s a great chance for both sides to meet, mingle, and start building connections. In this Spokane wedding planning blog we will provide Everything You Need to Know About engagement Parties.

After the initial excitement of getting engaged settles, the reality of wedding planning begins. As you start dreaming of your big day at a beautiful venue like Lavender Manor, there’s another pre-wedding event that your friends and family are secretly hoping you’ll host: an engagement party. This celebration is the perfect kickoff to your wedding journey, giving everyone a chance to share in your happiness right from the start. It’s more than just another party; it’s an opportunity for your closest circle to come together in a relaxed setting before the full-scale wedding planning takes over.

For your guests, an engagement party is a welcome occasion. It gives them a wonderful reason to get dressed up, step out of their daily routines, and celebrate your love story. In a world of busy schedules, having a joyful event on the calendar is something everyone can look forward to. It’s the first of many celebrations to come, setting a festive and loving tone for the entire engagement period and giving your guests a delightful preview of the joy your wedding will bring.

Engaged? Start your Spokane wedding-planning today and explore all the possibilities Lavender Manor has to offer. Schedule a tour, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. We can’t wait to learn more about your wedding priorities, hopes and vision! Let’s make your dream wedding a reality!

The History and Purpose of Engagement Parties

Engagement parties may feel like a modern trend, but their roots go back centuries. Historically, these gatherings were quite formal and served a very practical purpose. They were often hosted by the bride’s parents to formally announce their daughter’s engagement to their social circle. This announcement was a significant event, signifying the union of two families and often involving discussions about dowries and marital agreements. The party was less about celebrating the couple’s love and more about solidifying a social and financial contract.

Today, the purpose of an engagement party has evolved beautifully. It has shifted from a formal announcement to a heartfelt celebration of the couple. The primary goal is to share your happy news with your nearest and dearest in a personal way. It’s a fantastic opportunity for your two families and different groups of friends to meet and mingle for the first time in a low-pressure environment. This initial bonding can make future events, like bridal showers and the wedding itself, feel more cohesive and comfortable for everyone involved. It’s the official start of your wedding festivities and a chance to simply bask in the joy of being newly engaged.

25 Engagement Party Traditions and Etiquette Tips

Navigating the rules of an engagement party can feel tricky. Here is a list of traditions and etiquette tips to guide you as you plan your Spokane celebration.

1. Who Hosts? Traditionally, the bride’s parents host. However, modern etiquette allows anyone to host, including the couple themselves, the groom’s parents, or a group of close friends. Everything You Need to Know About engagement Parties – did you find this topic useful? Let us know in the comments.
2. Timing is Key: Host the party within a few months of the engagement. This keeps the celebratory momentum going while the news is still fresh.
3. The Guest List Rule: Only invite guests who will also be invited to the wedding. This avoids hurt feelings down the line. The one exception is if you are planning a very small, intimate wedding or elopement.
4. Formal Invitations Aren’t Necessary: For a casual party, digital invitations or even a simple phone call will suffice. For a more formal affair, printed invitations are a nice touch.
5. Clarify the Host on the Invite: Make sure the invitation clearly states who is hosting the party so guests know who to thank. Everything You Need to Know About engagement Parties – did you find this topic useful? Let us know in the comments.
6. Don’t Expect Gifts: Gifts are not traditionally expected at an engagement party. To make this clear, you can include a small note like “Your presence is our only present” on the invitation.
7. If You Do Get Gifts… Have a designated spot to place them, but don’t open them during the party. Open them later and send a thank-you note promptly. Everything You Need to Know About engagement Parties – did you find this topic useful? Let us know in the comments.
8. The Host Pays: Whoever throws the party is responsible for the costs. If the couple hosts, they cover the expenses. Everything You Need to Know About engagement Parties – did you find this topic useful? Let us know in the comments.
9. Choose the Right Venue: The location should match the formality. It can be anything from a casual backyard barbecue in the Spokane Valley to a chic cocktail party at a restaurant or event space.
10. Toasts are a Must: The host typically gives the first toast, congratulating the couple. The groom-to-be often follows with a toast thanking the host and his new fiancée.
11. Keep Speeches Short and Sweet: Toasts should be brief and from the heart. It’s not the time for long, rambling stories.
12. Introduce Everyone: As the couple of the hour, make an effort to introduce your family and friends to one another. This is the party’s secondary purpose.
13. Share Your Engagement Story: Guests will be eager to hear how the proposal happened. Be prepared to share the story a few times throughout the event!
14. Food and Drink: You don’t need a full, multi-course meal. Appetizers, a dessert bar, or a cocktail-style menu work perfectly. Everything You Need to Know About engagement Parties – did you find this topic useful? Let us know in the comments.
15. Consider a Theme: A theme isn’t required, but it can be a fun way to personalize the party. It could be related to how you met or a shared hobby.
16. Dress Code: Be sure to specify the dress code on the invitation so guests feel comfortable. “Casual,” “cocktail attire,” or “festive” are all clear options.
17. Don’t Upstage the Wedding: Keep the engagement party simpler than the wedding itself. It’s a precursor, not the main event.
18. Mingle, Mingle, Mingle: As the guests of honor, try to speak with every person who came to celebrate with you. Everything You Need to Know About engagement Parties – did you find this topic useful? Let us know in the comments.
19. Play Some Games (Optional): Icebreaker games can be a great way to get guests from different sides to interact. Think “How Well Do You Know the Couple?” or a wedding-themed trivia game.
20. Party Favors Aren’t Required: Like gifts, favors are not a requirement. If you do offer them, keep them small and simple, like a small bag of locally roasted coffee or a custom cookie.
21. Capture the Moments: Designate a friend to take photos or hire a photographer for an hour or two. You’ll cherish these memories.
22. Send Thank-You Notes: Send a handwritten thank-you note to the host(s) of the party. It’s also a thoughtful gesture to thank guests who brought a gift.
23. Don’t Talk Endlessly About Wedding Plans: While it’s fine to share some details if asked, avoid letting the entire party become a wedding planning session.
24. Acknowledge Both Families: Make a special effort to spend time with your future in-laws and make them feel welcome.
25. Relax and Have Fun: This is your party! After all the planning, take a deep breath and enjoy celebrating this special milestone with the people you love. Everything You Need to Know About engagement Parties – did you find this topic useful? Let us know in the comments.

Your engagement party is the first step on an incredible journey toward your wedding day. Now that you understand the etiquette, you can start dreaming about the main event. The perfect wedding begins with the perfect venue, and we invite you to see if Lavender Manor is the right fit for your love story. Scheduling a tour allows you to experience the magic of our grounds firsthand and envision your celebration in our beautiful spaces.

We encourage you to visit our website to explore everything Lavender Manor has to offer. You’ll find detailed pricing information, a stunning gallery of past weddings, and our wedding planning blog filled with tips to guide you every step of the way. From your engagement party to your reception, we are here to help you create unforgettable memories. Let the planning begin

Have questions? Reach out to us today—we’d love to make your proposal and wedding as unforgettable as your love story! If Lavender Manor sounds like the perfect venue for your big day, don’t wait! Schedule a visit or reach out to learn more about their bespoke wedding packages. Start your Spokane wedding-planning today and explore all the possibilities Lavender Manor has to offer. Schedule a tour, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. We can’t wait to learn more about your wedding priorities, hopes and vision! Let’s make your dream wedding a reality!

(509) 550-7526 [email protected] 5552 S. Wallbridge Rd. Deer Park, WA 99006

Citations:

Bay Street Studio. (n.d.). Photography Spokane. Retrieved Nov. 1, 2025, from https://baystreetstudio.com/photography-spokane/ Images provided by Bay Street Studio and showcases their photography services in Spokane. The link provided is for further reference and to give credit to the original source of the information and images used in this content.

WeddingVenueOwners.com – Wedding Venue Business Resources 🌐 Website: www.WeddingVenueOwners.com ✉️ Email: [email protected], Wedding Venue Owners Working Vacations Education Courses “WeddingVenueOwners.com provides education, tools, and community support for wedding venue owners across the U.S.”