Swizzle Events Blog

Nashville Wedding Planning: Engagement Parties & Announcements

As promised, today we are looking at all the ways you can announce your big news.   Like most couples, you probably called your close family and friends shortly after you said "yes".  Just to review, let's make certain you didn't leave anyone off the immediate call list.  Parents, siblings, and grandparents should be the first to know.  If this is a second marriage, then your children should be the absolute first ones to share in your joy.

But, what now?  How do you want to announce your engagement to friends and family far and wide?  For those who are comfortable with email and social sites, you can send your news to them with the click of a mouse.  You can even put together an evite announcement using a service like Pingg. 

A good, old fashioned newspaper announcement may appeal to the traditionalists among us (and your grandmother will be happy too).  Most newspapers run engagement announcements in the lifestyle section.  Each paper will have different submission requirements, so check with your local paper for the details.  Some will list for free and others charge a nominal fee.  You may also want to run a photo with your announcement.  (Nashville brides can find info on placing an engagement announcement in The Tennessean here.)

The Engagement Party.  Perhaps you want to celebrate this awesome time in your lives with a party.  Traditionally, the bride's parents are the official hosts of your engagement party.  In this day and age, you can certainly have a party hosted by any combination of family members or even a close friend.  You may even opt to have more than one party - one for family and family friends, another for your own friends.  However you choose to celebrate, the bride's parents should always be given the opportunity to host and their party should be the first.  

You can keep the reason for the party a surprise and announce your engagement at the beginning of the evening or print invitations that include your news right from the start.  A word of caution, anyone you invite to the engagement party will expect an invitation to the wedding.  So invite wisely!

An engagement soiree holds a certain magic that comes from having all of your combined families together for (maybe) the first time.  It's a great opportunity for introductions to be made & this will hopefully make everyone more comfortable as the big day approaches.  Tip - Family is always invited to the first party if you choose to have more than one.

On to the party etiquette.  The party should occur very soon after he pops the question.  You want the news to be fresh.  Each guest invited to the party should also be invited to the wedding.  Typically, your engagement party will have a shorter list than your actual wedding.  The goal is to make this party more intimate than your wedding.  (Having more than one party could help you keep things intimate if you find yourself with an ever growing guest list.)  Be certain to invite all members of both families even if you know those living far away will not be able to attend.

To bring a gift or not?  It's not customary for guests to bring a gift to an engagement party.  But, you will have a few guests who just can't resist.  I always recommend that you put someone on alert to greet guests at the door with a big welcoming smile and when they offer to take coats, etc. they can also graciously thank them for their thoughtfulness and then place the gift somewhere out of the spotlight.  A side table is always convenient.  This will let the gift bearers know the gift is appreciated without making those who came empty-handed feel awkward.

Speaking of greeting guests, you will want to be certain that you have a plan for saying hello and exchanging hugs with each guest during the evening.  They will all want to give you a personal congrats so make time for this from the get-go.  You can plan to have an informal receiving line near the front entrance while everyone arrives or just purposely work the room during cocktail hour welcoming each person with a few minutes of warm conversation. 

If you are sticking with tradition, you should also plan a time for toasts.  If the party is hosted by the bride's parents, then etiquette dictates that the bride's father offers the first toast in honor of the bride and her groom. Then, the fiance should toast his bride-to-be, her parents and then his parents.  At this point, the floor is open for anyone else wanting to toast the happy couple.  For an informal party hosted by your friends, the toasting can take place at any time.  Just be sure to toast the hosts!

The sky is the limit when it comes to the style and type of party given.  The hosts may put together something a little more formal at the local country club or a casual backyard affair under the stars.  Since it's just the beginning of your wedding adventure, don't worry about keeping things all matchy-matchy with your wedding vision.  Have fun and enjoy the hospitality of those you love!  

Your hosts are showing you their love and affection when they offer to host your engagement party.  Be certain to let them know how thankful you are for their generosity.  It would be appropriate to give a meaningful thank-you gift to them for all of their thoughtfulness.  Meaningful is the key, and this doesn't always translate into expensive.  Just find something you know they will appreciate. Something that says you value your relationship with them.  After all, they have helped you create a special memory along this incredible wedding journey.

Photo: via Flickr ruthieonart

Nashville Wedding Planning: First Things First

Congratulations! You're engaged and now you need to begin this glorious adventure called wedding
planning.  Let the good times roll!  So, what should you do now?  Where should you begin?

First, enjoy this glorious moment.  Take some time to relish in the spectacular feeling of knowing that you are cherished by the love of your life.  Relive those precious (or funny) words that made you say "Yes".  You're engaged!!  When you are ready to begin, I recommend that you start with First Things First. 

Step One:  Share the good news!  It's fine to keep things private for a little while, but eventually you will want to spread the word on your upcoming nuptials.  Always tell your parents and immediate family first.  Then, you can let your friends, neighbors, even the local cashier in on the big news.  Phone calls and emails are appropriate for those first few days.  But you can find some fun and creative or more formal ways to announce your engagement to the masses.  Send a letter, print an engagement announcement, or even throw a party. We'll explore the in's and out's of engagement parties later this week.  So check back in a few days!

Step Two: Set the Date.  This is very important and will influence just about every other decision you make in your planning.  For some, the selection of a date is quick and painless.  For others, it can be a little more complicated and may take some time.  You'll probably be plagued with family and friends wanting to know when the big day will happen.  It's o.k. to deliberate on this one.  You can simply say "We're looking at the calendar and will let you know soon."  Just know that you need to have a wedding date before you can begin booking the venue and vendors.  You will save a lot of time by screening vendors based on availability and you can't do that without a firm wedding date.  Also, your wedding date will determine the pace of your planning.  Obviously, you need to work faster if you are saying "I Do" in six months versus 12 months.

Step Three:  Start Dreaming.  Even if you have been dreaming of your wedding day since you were a little girl, you should take some time to be inspired.  Consider all of the style options that are out there today.  You may even come up with a blend of styles that is completely unique to you and your fiance.  Stock up on some beautiful wedding magazines, peruse the hundreds of wedding websites that are available and even spend a day at your local bridal show.  Remember, there are literally hundreds of options out there. Don't be overwhelmed by the possibilities, just see what stands out and take your cues from those things that you think are simply amazing.

Finally, hire a planner.  (Did you really think I was going to skip over this one?)  Talk to other new brides and you'll hear one of the following: "I couldn't have done it without my planner," or "I should have hired  a planner, at least for day-of coordinating".  I know that for many, the topic of budget and how much a planner costs is a big influence in this decision.  Here's the simple truth.  A planner is worth every penny.  And, a good planner will help you come up with a scope of services that will fit your budget and meet your needs.  Your planner deserves her fee, because she will put in an average of 70-90 hours on your wedding alone.  And, her expertise will save you from making poor decisions, save you time on researching vendors, and will put a finishing touch on all your details that will make your day truly shine.  All of this means greater peace of mind for you.  I could go on and on, so we'll visit this topic again soon.  For now, I recommend that you keep an open mind and at least meet with a few planners to see what they have to offer.  The earlier you do this in your planning process, the better.

I'll be sharing more insight on your planning journey over the next couple of weeks.  There are some major milestones in this process and we'll give each one it's proper consideration in upcoming posts.  For now, enjoy yourself!  And remember, take it one step at a time.  Happy planning!

Photo: Anne.Oeldorfhirsch via Flickr.com