‘Tis the season for mistletoe, romantic encounters, and the ideal proposal. Whether your beloved orchestrated a creative twelve-day Christmas surprise or popped the question as the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, such a perfect engagement calls for an equally splendid celebration. You're likely thinking about everything from the engagement party to the dream wedding venue. Wondering how to make the engagement truly memorable and the wedding a veritable fairy tale? These suggestions will guide you in planning everything from the proposal to the perfect venue.
Engagement Traditions
While adherence to tradition isn't for everyone, and many strive to create unique experiences, starting with traditional practices can be a helpful foundation for engagement planning. Typically, a couple announces their engagement, followed by an engagement party traditionally hosted by the bride’s parents. However, it’s also common for couples to organize their own celebration. In cases where parents are divorced, it might be necessary to hold separate celebrations. Regardless of the format, the engagement party is a significant occasion that is ideally held within two months of the engagement. If a longer engagement is planned, delaying the celebration is perfectly acceptable.
Invitations
The style and grandeur of your celebration will shape your invitations. Similar to wedding invitations, if you decide on a theme, your invitations should reflect and embody that theme. For a casual backyard barbecue, you might choose fun and playful designs over traditional foil and lace. The size of the party and its overall vibe will largely dictate your invitation choices. While email invitations are entirely acceptable and increasingly popular, many still opt for formal printed invitations to maintain a traditional touch. It's important to note that not everyone invited to the wedding will be at the engagement party, but all who attend the engagement party should receive a wedding invitation. Remember to specify the dress code on the invitations.
Selecting the Engagement Party Venue
Typically, an engagement party is a more intimate and less elaborate affair compared to the wedding itself. The choice of venue can range from a charming garden setting to a sophisticated ballroom. Engagement parties often lean towards formality, featuring fine dining and alcoholic beverages. However, some couples may opt for a simpler setup with just appetizers, drinks, and an engagement cake. Choosing an all-inclusive venue can be a cost-effective and memorable option, as it combines the venue, furniture, decorations, banquet staff, and bartender into a single package, ensuring a seamless celebration.
The Wedding Venue
Following a memorable engagement celebration, the next step in wedding planning is securing the perfect venue for your fairy tale wedding. The Crystal Ballroom at Veranda offers an all-inclusive setting for both wedding and engagement parties, featuring a dedicated design team that tailors each event to your unique vision. With the help of in-house designers, planners, and food managers, along with a network of professional vendors, your magical day will be meticulously crafted to meet your expectations. Consult with the design team to customize every detail, from the color scheme and fabric choices to the floral arrangements and centerpieces, ensuring your wedding is exactly as you've dreamed.
