With a New Year comes a host of new wedding trends. The way individuals are proposing to their significant others is also evolving.
While very public proposals are out, celebrating with family and friends post-proposal with a well-timed party is very much in. We recently named throwing a proposal party as one of the best ways to enjoy that ‘just engaged’ feeling.
Here we take a closer look at proposal parties, why they’re so popular, and how to plan your post-proposal celebration like a pro.
The proposal party trend makes a comeback for 2023
Proposal parties were an emerging trend pre-pandemic and a prospect that excited many an engaged couple. Whilst Covid-19 saw the post-proposal party take something of a backseat (for obvious reasons!), they’re making a comeback as luxury marriage proposal planner Heather Vaughn from The Yes Girls explains:
“Many clients proposing are having guests present for the proposal again. A majority of our clients will utilize their privately rented proposal venue to host their guests following the proposal. These celebrations are not a 50+ guest party but many are opting to have 15 to 25 guests present.”
Proposal party vs engagement party: what’s the difference?
An engagement party usually takes place a few months after the big proposal, providing an opportunity for the engaged couple to mark the occasion with all those who are closest to them as well as grab some great gifts. In contrast, a proposal party is hosted immediately after the proposal.
The benefits of throwing a proposal party
Fresh from the proposal and feeling super romantic as a result, many people consider the perfect time to celebrate their engagement immediately after the question has been popped. A surprise proposal party also clears up the issue of who to tell first, with all your nearest and dearest there to officially hear the announcement at the same time.
Hosting a proposal party is a great way for family and friends to get involved, without actually being involved in the proposal. This means you can have the best of both worlds – a private proposal and a very public announcement.
Our proposal party planning tips
The best piece of advice we can give you when planning a proposal party is to keep it a secret – from everyone! While those proposing will have a hard enough job keeping the proposal a surprise, sharing the shock factor your new fiancée experienced with your family and friends will only add to the excitement and sense of occasion.
Remember, a proposal party needs just as much planning as any other event. Start organising and inviting people early, and don’t feel guilty that the party will be thrown under the guise of another occasion!
When planning, consider your budget. You don’t need to spend big to throw an awesome proposal party or blow the budget by inviting everyone you and your partner know. Keep your venue choice affordable and convenient, your guest list tight, and any proposal party extras on a budget to maximise the fun and minimise the stress.
Finally, time your party just right. You should give guests plenty of notice (at least one month), even if you aren’t being honest about the purpose of the party. Throwing a proposal party the day after the actual proposal is another tack taken by many looking to enjoy that time immediately after engagement together and absorb the news at their own pace.
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FAQs
You should give guests plenty of notice (at least one month), even if you aren't being honest about the purpose of the party. Throwing a proposal party the day after the actual proposal is another tack taken by many looking to enjoy that time immediately after engagement together and absorb the news at their own pace.
Who throws the proposal party? ›
While the proposal party is usually hosted (read: paid for) by the “proposer,” you might ask your parents to chip in if it feels appropriate.
Should I throw an engagement party? ›
Is it normal to have an engagement party? While some couples choose not to have an engagement party, they are very common—especially with engagements lasting longer than one year. Couples planning a destination wedding, or planning an engagement longer than 18 months typically throw a more formal party.
Do people have proposal parties? ›
Usually, after the proposal comes an engagement party, where all friends and family are present and the couple announces their engagement. But over the course of a couple of years, proposal parties became very popular.
What is the difference between proposal and engagement? ›
The two terms engagement and proposal have the same meaning. They describe the promise to enter into marriage. However, the term marriage proposal is often referred to as the event of asking a partner to wed. An engagement describes the time leading up to the wedding.
How long after a proposal should you have an engagement party? ›
Ideally, you'll want to host your engagement party sooner rather than later while the excitement is still fresh! Between 2-4 months of your engagement is generally a good window. This way, you can allow yourself a few weeks to relish in your “just engaged” bubble, before diving headfirst into the wedding planning.
Who is responsible for paying for the engagement party? ›
Whoever hosts the engagement party is usually responsible for covering the costs. Historically, it's been the bride's parents. However, as celebrations for engagements have evolved, Mae notes that she often sees both parents paying a portion of the total bill. Some couples even chip in.
What percentage of couples have an engagement party? ›
An engagement party is typically one of the first pre-wedding parties that takes place. This is an event that many couples don't have. In fact, according to WeddingWire, only 26 percent of couples have an engagement party!
How many hours should an engagement party be? ›
In terms of the length of the engagement party, couples typically choose a two to four-hour window. If you do not plan to serve a full meal, it's best to choose a time frame in between typical mealtimes, such as 2-5 p.m.
Who throws the engagement party traditionally? ›
Traditionally, the engagement party is hosted by the bride's parents, but friends of the bride and groom and other relatives may want to organize the gathering as well. The couple may opt to have two or more parties: one for relatives and family friends, for instance, and another for their own friends.
The Proposal Party
- Select a venue. Selecting a venue for the proposal party should be your first step. ...
- Send out Invites. After deciding on a location, it is time to send out invitations to your visitors. ...
- Design the décor. ...
- Select the Menu. ...
- Coordination with the Photographer. ...
- Practice your Proposal. ...
- Savor the Present!
Key Takeaways
Guests are not required to bring gifts to an engagement party, but it is a nice gesture to bring a gift when attending this type of celebration.
Is a proposal party the same as an engagement party? ›
An engagement party usually takes place a few months after the big proposal, providing an opportunity for the engaged couple to mark the occasion with all those who are closest to them as well as grab some great gifts. In contrast, a proposal party is hosted immediately after the proposal.
What ring do you give when proposing? ›
A wedding band isn't given to her when you propose. You give her the engagement ring when you propose and you give her the wedding ring or band at your marriage ceremony.
What do I call my girlfriend when we are engaged? ›
These two words are borrowed directly from French, in which language they have equivalent but gendered meanings: fiancé refers to a man who is engaged to be married, and fiancée refers to a woman.
Which finger to wear a proposal ring? ›
In many Western countries, the tradition of wearing an engagement ring on the fourth finger on the left hand, (the left ring finger on the ring finger guide below), can be traced back to the Ancient Romans. They believed this finger had a vein that ran directly to the heart, the Vena Amoris, meaning 'vein of love'.
Who traditionally throws an engagement party? ›
Traditionally the engagement party is hosted by the bride's parents, but can also be given by friends of the bride and groom, or other relatives. Yes, you can have two or more parties; one for relatives and family friends, for instance, and another for your own friends.
Who hosts the proposal party? ›
Traditionally, the engagement party is hosted by the bride's parents, but friends of the bride and groom and other relatives may want to organize the gathering as well. The couple may opt to have two or more parties: one for relatives and family friends, for instance, and another for their own friends.
Who is supposed to be invited to an engagement party? ›
“An engagement party can be as intimate or as grand as the engaged couple wants it to be,” Chertoff says. “Traditionally, the guest list will include immediate and some extended family members of the couple and their friends.”
