Engagement Parties

We're throwing an informal engagement party at BJ's Brewery in SoCal in the end of February, but for all the weddings we've been to, we haven't gone to an engagement party. Are there specific things you do? My dad was telling me that the families meet and you introduce the bridal party, and I think I read on other sites that the groom or father of the bride gives a toast. But other than that, I don't know what to do.

I'm no help..but can I go to the party. I love BJs..hehe j/k

Here's a link to questions asked about engagement parties and etiquette from the Knot:

http://theknot.com/keywords/ac_search.htm?keywordType=1&keywordID=525&quest=engagement+party&x=0&y=0

Hope this helps! :)

You don't have to do anything! Its just to announce your engagement but you can do whatever you want. Pre modern era there was a ball/reception and your father would announced that he had picked someone for you, or that someone had asked for you... or if you were betrothed from birth it would be a chance for you to finally figure out who the heck you were supposed to be stuck with for eternity. PS I'm talking about Anglo culture, I'm sure there's a different reason/interpretation for every culture!

we had an engagement party at my mom's house and it's mostly for the families to meet. At first we just wanted the parents, siblings, and the bridal party...but it kind of turned out to be like My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and everyone showed up. it was great and nice for the families to meet. We just had some food, drinks and my sis even got a cake. My dad did do a toast and them FFIL did a toast too. :)

I've only been to one and it was fairly big. Both families were there, plus a bunch of friends. It was 40s themed, so people were encouraged to dress up. There was a buffet (small dinner/large appetizers), drinks and dancing. We brought a couples dessert cookbook as a gift.

I had a luah for my engagement party.I introduced the family and friends also told everyone the date since everyone already knew we were engaged.I had speical lais for the BM GM fathers and grandparents.It is really just so everyone knows eachother at the wedding.Also its a great time to introduce your bestman and MOH to the people you want them to make sure the photographer includes in the pictures if your having candid shots.

I went to yours? Oh crap, I don't remember. I do remember you had every type of party imaginable though, lol. I guess one of them was the engagement one.

Man, I'm going senile already.