| He's proposed, and most likely you're flashing your | | | | railings and ceiling. Scatter rose petals and sparkles |
| new engagement ring. Now it's time to plan the | | | | on the tables and light the area with twinkling fairy |
| celebration, but where do you start?Your | | | | lights. Candles add a soft glow to your |
| engagement party is the perfect setting for the | | | | surroundings and can be used in a number of |
| families and friends of the bride and groom to | | | | interesting and inventive ways.Party and theme |
| meet each other if they haven't already done so. | | | | shops have a fabulous array of party items and |
| Make yourself available at the start of the event | | | | props you can buy or hire for the night. You can |
| to greet all your guests and introduce everyone. | | | | check out your local shopping mall, or go online for |
| Mingle as much as possible so that your guests | | | | the most wonderful array of balloons, streamers, |
| feel comfortable and relaxed.You can celebrate in | | | | party poppers, confetti, and candles.Engagement |
| style with a swanky black-tie cocktail party, or a | | | | Party EntertainmentEntertainment always seems |
| formal sit-down dinner, or maybe a casual | | | | to enhance the mood at a party, although it's not |
| serve-yourself buffet is more your style. | | | | a necessity. A quality sound system and some |
| Whatever you choose, remember that many of | | | | lively CDs are certainly enough to raise the spirits |
| your guests may not know each other so you | | | | of party-goers.If your budget allows, you can hire |
| want them to be able to mingle comfortably.Once | | | | a pianist or a string quartet to provide pleasant |
| upon a time, engagement parties were usually | | | | background music. If you'd prefer something a |
| held at the home of the bride's parents, but | | | | little livelier, how about hiring a juke-box, a DJ or |
| nowadays most couples like to host their own | | | | maybe you'd prefer a mariachi band? Or you |
| engagement party. If you want to go all out, you | | | | could hire a karaoke machine and invite your |
| can hire a banquet hall with full catering, a local hall | | | | guests to contribute to the entertainment!Set |
| or you could set up a marquee in your own back | | | | aside an area for dancing, then start everyone |
| yard. The choices are only limited by your | | | | off with a special dance for the newly engaged |
| imagination (and wallet!)Engagement Party | | | | couple. It will help prepare you for the wedding |
| ThemesMany couples like to choose a theme for | | | | waltz!Your choice of entertainment should match |
| their engagement party. Having a theme party | | | | the tone and theme of the party, so make sure |
| helps break the ice with your guests and generally | | | | you choose the kind of entertainment that |
| adds an element of frivolity the occasion. You can | | | | appeals to your tastes and makes you feel |
| choose a 50s, 60s or 70s party, depending on the | | | | comfortable.These days anything goes when it |
| decade in which you were born, or an Hawaiian or | | | | comes to engagement party ideas, so let your |
| Mexican party for something more exotic. If you | | | | imagination soar and create a memorable |
| prefer, the theme can be as simple as your | | | | experience, both for you as a couple and for your |
| choice of colors or the style of your | | | | guests. Just remember to make it a fun-filled and |
| decorations.For a 50s, 60s or 70s retro look, | | | | happy experience and above all, enjoy |
| decorate with lime green, purple, hot pink and | | | | yourselves!Alexis Miller has been involved in the |
| yellow. If you'd like to go Hawaiian choose lots of | | | | wedding and jewelry industry for more years |
| bright greens, yellow and blue. For a Mexican | | | | than she cares to remember! She has turned her |
| theme, choose gold, purple and blue and have a | | | | passion for all things bridal into a website, Visit her |
| pinata filled with candies for a bit of fun.For a | | | | website for interesting articles on weddings, |
| romantic theme, choose pastel colors and use tulle | | | | jewelry, honeymoons, and much more. |
| or organza to drape the tables, chair backs, stair | | | | |