Engagement Party Planning Tips

Here are some tips on pulling off an engagement party. It’s easier than you think!

1. Who Hosts?

Traditionally, the parents of the bride will host the engagement party. That is not the case anymore. It is not uncommon to hear of the bride and groom throwing their own party or friends and family may volunteer to throw you one instead.

2. When should I have it?

The perfect time to have your party is after your engagement and before the serious planning begins (unless you are enlisting a wedding planner to help you plan the engagement party as well you would not have even looked for one yet) . Don’t have it later than 11 months before the wedding. Give your guests enough notice before the party and the party serves as a great stepping stone before invitations are sent out for the wedding day

3.Who makes the list?

It use to be a serious faux paz to invite someone to your engagement party that you won’t invite to the wedding. These days the large number of destination/out of town weddings has altered that rule.

It is acceptable to have a smaller get together with new friends, co-workers and others who may not make the invitation list dues to numbers or other reasons.

4. What is it for?

This is a time to celebrate and share your joy with those close to you. It is a great time to introduce the two sides of the family and give them a chance to get acquainted.

5. Do I need a theme?

My best advice is to go with a theme, color scheme or concept that does not resemble your ideas for your wedding day. Leave the real gasping from your guests for the wedding day.

Click here to see more ideas on my Engagement Party Pinterest Board.

Wedding Trends to Love: Creative Engagement Shoots

Engagement photos have gotten very creative over the past few years. Couples are breaking the norm and taking ideas from movies, pop culture and literature. Some couples use the pictures as save the dates, and others display these great pictures for their guests at the reception. The engagement photo shoot is another trend that allows the couple to show off their personalities and enjoy their time as a newly engaged weddings.

Bonnie and Clyde Inspired Shoot

Pixar's UP has been a fun inspiration for many couples. I love how to see the different takes on this movie

This is adorable

Wedding Websites

In the age of technology, it is no surprise that a newly engaged couple would want to use technology in their wedding planning. The use of a wedding website provides convenience and easy access to information for the couple and their guests.

Provide all wedding logistics on your website: date,  location, wedding registry, and travel information. The wedding website provides access to information for your guests to never lose. Some websites also allow you to put an RSVP option on your page.

But, the wedding website is not only for logistics; It is a chance to share your wedding story! Customize the page to your preference. Include your engagement pictures, as well as the happy times through the years. 

Don't forget to share the information! You don't need all of the details on the page to share it with guests. Start the website and make sure to put the website link on your save the dates or invitations. 

Here are some sources that offer the option to design your FREE personal wedding website: weddingwire.com, mywedding.com, theknot.com

Keep Calm, I'm Back!

Sorry for being inactive, but I am back and ready to write some new posts. I am in a new city, and am ready to explore everything DC has to offer the event world. I feel like I have lived the entire length of the east coast: New York, Virginia and now DC! I plan to use this blog to focus on the East Coast bride.

This is the year I hope to see my blog grow, but I need your help to do this. Send the link to your friends that are engaged, looking to get married, or just love all things weddings and events. 

I am always excited to hear from readers, so if you have any ideas,  or a couple/vendor who you want to feature, please send all information to nataki.hemmings@gmail.com.

Here are some of the plans for the blog for 2014:

1. The launch of the Facebook page. Look out for an announcement!
2. Featured couples. Lots of gorgeous engagement shoots, weddings and everything in-between will soon be seen on this blog.
3. New year, new look! Going to let this one be a surprise.
4. More posts and more topics!
5. Featured events

Excited!?! I am. Look out for posts this week, including coverage of New York's bridal week.

Valentine's day is approaching and the search for the perfect engagement ring is on the mind of some future grooms. I always say that every bride and groom are different and the engagement ring is a reflection of that. A tip to the groom: trust your instinct! Searching for the perfect ring can be overwhelming, but you know your future bride better than anyone else. There are so many ring choices available that each bride has the perfect ring out there for them! Here are some different rings that show a range of cuts, settings and styles.

Zales - 14K White gold with a round stone surrounded with smaller stones

Blue Nile- Three stone platinum setting with the opportunity to customize

Kay Jewelers- 14K Princess-cut with a white gold band

Tacori - Emerald-cut available with a white gold or platinum band. Both traditional and unique.

Tiffany & Co.- Round Brilliant with Tapered Baguettes

Tiffany & Co.- Schlumberger Rope Ring

Top 5 Guest Book Alternatives

Guest Books are a keepsake for the Bride and Groom as a reminder of the family and friends that shared their special day with them. The guest book can sometimes get lost in the corner or pushed off by guests until "later". A popular trend is to eliminate the traditional guest book for more creative and personal alternatives. These are my top 5 guest book alternatives:

1. The Engagement Photo: Display engagement photos in a book, or one main picture on an easel, and allow guests to write their names and a quick message to the bride and groom.
   
2. Puzzle: The Puzzle Piece or Jenga Blocks are fun and quirky. Allow guests to write messages and set up the pieces after the honeymoon. Have fun reading the messages as you put the puzzle together, or take the Jenga tower apart!
   
3. Envelope Guest Book: I know I said alternatives to guest books, but this is very different from the traditional guest book. Guests write well wishes to the happy couple and insert it into an envelope on the page. The notes are private, only for the bride and groom to open and receive. 
   
4. Wish Tree: The wish tree allows guest to hang their well wishes for the bride and groom and their future, while creating a piece of art. Wish Trees are gorgeous decor pieces that continue to grow as guests add more wishes. A great way to preserve these wishes is to frame them. They make a gorgeous piece, that all of your guests helped to create for your home.
   
   
   
   
5. Fingerprint Tree: This is my favorite alternative. Guests press their fingerprints, in whatever color you choose, onto a tree template (or any other template like below), slowly creating the actual artwork. Guests can also initial their fingerprints.They can be customized with the names of the bride and the groom and the wedding date. Since no two fingerprints are the same, this will truly be a one-of-a-kind piece of art.