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.

The First Dance: Choosing a Song

Photography by Kevin Weinstein

By: Amber Cooper (@TheHoneyLife)

For many couples the first dance is where they can finally decompress and take in their newlywed status, if only for a few minutes. After much socializing and picture-taking, to be in the arms of your beloved as your guests quietly look on can be a true "Cinderella"-moment.

Here are 15 of my favorite songs (in no particular order) for The First Dance:

1. "Like a Star" - Corinne Bailey Rae
2. "The Look of Love" - Diana Krall
3. "Spend My Life With You" - Eric Benet
4. "All of Me" - John Legend
5. "The Only Reason" - JP Cooper
6. "Whenever Wherever Whatever" - Maxwell
7. "Our Love is Easy" - Melody Gardot
8. "Unforgettable"-  Nat King Cole
9. "Collide"-  Nayanna Holley
10."Baby It's U"-  Brian McKnight
11."Imposible Vivir Sin Ti" - Buena Vista Social Club
12."If I Never Get To Heaven" - Javier
13."Lovers Rock" - Sade
14."That's Where It's At" - Sam Cooke
15. "So Amazing" - Luther Vandross

As you can see I'm a bit of a classic R&B/jazz-head. If you're more of the country or classic rock-type check out these posts from The Knot!

Wedding Songs: 35 Country-Flavored First Dance Songs
Wedding Songs: 33 Rockin' First Dance Songs

Late-Night Wedding Snacks

After a night of dancing (and some drinking!), nothing is better than a late-night snack. A bride and groom treating their guests to a delicious treat near the end of the night is a perfect surprise! These yummy delights will satisfy those late night munchies, while giving tiring guests a quick energy boost. Get creative with your snack ideas! A unique flavor added to a favorite, or offering a treat that remind guests of their childhood, you can't go wrong with more food! Now on to the good part of the post:

The perfect mix of salt and carbohydrates, nothing tastes better late at night than some hot french fries with some ketchup after a night of partying and fun.

I couldn't mention french fries without writing about hamburgers. Do I have to say anything else about this American classic?

Remember those nights of grabbing a slice with your friends? Have servers bring out a few pies with different toppings a, but don't forget the extra cheese! 

This is a personal favorite of mine. You are never to old to enjoy some cookies and a cold glass of milk. To make it a bit more grown-up, provide milk in a reasonable quantity within a shot glass. But bring the cookie down to scale for easy dunking.

Floats never go out of style. Offer root beer floats and coca-cola floats as well. You can also offer a float station for guests to make their own, because the only thing more fun than drinking a float, is making one.

Bring the fun part of the carnival to your guests. Have cotton-candy in your wedding colors. Allow guests to add spices to their popcorn: Salt, sugar, paprika, cinnamon, cayenne pepper or cheese powder. The choices are endless.

Have a favorite burger joint? Taco shop? BBQ shack?  Consider a food truck. The food truck sensation is sweeping the nation. The experience is as fun as the food.

Ice Cream sandwiches. Create variety with different cookies and different ice cream flavors. 

You want sweet and salty? Chicken and waffles are the only sensible answer of course. Enough said.

Coffee and donuts provide a sweet snack and caffeine for a pick-me-up. Perfect combination to keep the party going for a few more hours.