It may seem like a thing of the past, but engagement parties are the perfect opportunity to introduce yourselves as a couple to your friends and family. Like most things associated with weddings, the engagement party comes with its own etiquette.

Only guests who will be invited to the wedding should be invited to the engagement party. In addition, not all wedding invitees need to be invited to the engagement party. Go ahead and extend an invitation to your out of town guests, but understand that traveling to another event could be difficult for them.

Typically it’s considered the responsibility of the bride’s parents to host the party, but any relative or friend could be the host.  Guests are not expected to bring gifts to the engagement party, but if guests do, open them in private, not doing the party. There are lots of different venue options for this event. From a Sunday brunch, sit-down dinners, drinks and appetizers at someone’s home, the location of the engagement party is truly up to the couple.

So when is the appropriate time to have an engagement party? Depending on the length of the engagement, it is normal to have the party one-three months after the initial announcement.  Try not to overwhelm your guests and space your engagement party out from other events as much as possible.

While it’s not mandatory and is happening less and less, the engagement party is a great way for friends and family from both sides to meet and set the state for all of your wedding planning.