Congrats! You have popped the all important question and your partner has said ‘Yes!’. An engagement party is the perfect way to share the news and get the festivities started.
Whether you are looking for smaller, lowkey get together or a huge explosive celebration, you will definitely want an engagement party that is memorable. Think about having a theme or a dress code to give your fiesta something special.
Poptop knows that Weddings can be expensive, so you’ll want to save your pennies where you can! Check out our top 10 ideas below for plenty of options for Engagement Parties to suit every kind of budget, group size and every season!
Which of Our Engagement Party Ideas Is Your Favourite?
1. Lights, Camera, Action 🎬
Outdoor Cinemas have grown in popularity over the last year because of how easy they are to organise and how affordable they are. What is better than getting all your favourite people together and cuddling up for a night of movie magic?!
Of course if you have the space, you don’t need to host your party outside, but a dark evening sky and a bonfire might be the perfect mix for a relaxed and low-key engagement party. Why not print out invitations in the style of cinema tickets; decorate with film posters and lanterns; and if you want something a little more fancy, roll out the red carpet as if it is a movie premier!
Top Tip: Pair with a candy floss or popcorn cart for a real cinema experience that will be remembered for years to come.
2. Dress up and Let Your Hair Down 🎩
Masquerade balls and costume parties have been around for centuries, and there are some good reasons why! They are fun, easy, different, and they give everyone a chance to relax behind a mask for an evening.
If you are thinking of having a costume party to celebrate your engagement, why not think of an interesting theme to go along with it? Think 1920s (we are in the 20s again now!), outer space or maybe even a safari theme. Or base it on your favourite holiday location; a memory that you share with your partner; or even just your favourite colour. Everyone loves fancy dress, so this is a solid option.
Top Tip: Decorate your venue and think of catering options that match your theme for ultimate impact!
3. Ladies (and Gentlemen) Who Lunch! 🍰
If you are going down the sit down meal approach, why not choose to host a Tea Party or an Afternoon Tea extravaganza – think Alice in Wonderland, Pride and Prejudice and Princess Diaries rolled into one, just with a few more cocktails!
There are tons of options, and a lot of suppliers will offer their best fancy china for a real tea party! If you are looking for something a little more relaxed, host your tea party as a picnic in a beautiful location. Alternatively if you want something more sophisticated, this is a perfect option for brunch or lunch time festivities. So, put on your Sunday best and invite your friends to glam up to join you for a feast of tasty treats. Oh, and the best bit is, you can leave the hassle of baking scones and making sandwiches to someone else, which leaves you sipping prosecco and enjoying the party to the fullest.
Top Tip: You can work closely with the suppliers to create a menu which caters to any dietary requirements or themes you have in mind.
4. Murder Mystery 🔎
Pull out your magnifying glass and get your detective hat on by hosting a Murder Mystery party. Dress up as different characters and follow the easy script to solve the crime and find out who is the killer is.
This type of parties is so easy to plan and you can buy kits online that have everything you need to be the host with the most. All you need to do is get in character, find the perfect costume and invite your guests. Pair a Murder Mystery night with some great food or some tasty cocktails to loosen up your acting skills and you’ve got yourself a winner.
Top Tip: Don’t forget to let your guests know which characters they will be playing ahead of time so that they have time to find a costume!
5. Blame It on the Boogie 🕺
Want something a little more upbeat? Why not host a Silent Disco for your Engagement Party?! Not only is it the perfect way to get everyone up and dancing, but it is suitable for all guests of all ages and groups of all sizes.
Whether you’re the biggest ABBA fan, a Drum and Bass Master or a Pop Queen, Silent Disco headsets have got you covered. Most of them have three different channels to play multiple playlists at the same time so that your guests can pick and choose their favourite songs. All you need to do is dim the lights, grab your disco ball and let the music play!
Top Tip: Ask your guests for their favourite songs and make playlists based on their suggestions for a real mix.
6. Get Stuck In! 🎨
How about booking a masterclass for you and your guests to get creative and maybe even take home a memoir of the Engagement Party? Pottery making classes, cocktail masterclasses or even ice sculpting are some really unique ideas that are bound to surprise your guests.
Maybe you want to show off some skills, or just have a go at something new with your loved ones. Either get competitive with laser tag or work together as a team to make something special. Regardless of what you choose, a group class or activity will bring your guests the perfect opportunity to get to know each other.
Top Tip: Whatever you choose to do, make sure that all of your guests are prepared before attending the Party!
7. Food Festival 🌮
If you and your significant other are big foodies, why not host a food festival for your friends and family. With cuisines from all over the world, there are so many options to choose from and you are bound to find something that suits all of your guests’ pallets.
It doesn’t just have to be one choice either, why not hire a couple of food vans to handle the catering for you. Some people choose one savoury and a sweet option to give your guests a main and a desert option. Or have a few different vans so guests have a choice of different options. Not only do you get to taste some exquisite foods, but you don’t have to do the washing up after either – That’s a win win!
Top Tip: It doesn’t have to just be food, mobile bar options are also a great option when planning your engagement party!
8. A Night Under the Stars ✨
If you love camping or if you want to have an overnight party, why not hire some Bell Tents or Tipis and host a glamping party! Roasted marshmallows and warm campfires are always a crowd pleaser.
Depending on your venue and your group size, your party goers can get ready for the ultimate pyjama party! Twinkling fairy lights and a fire pit to keep your guests toasty is the perfect way to relax and get to know each other. If you want to up your game, host your own mini festival with live music or even food vans to complete the experience.
Top Tip: Make sure you know the size of your garden, field or venue to ensure you have the capacity for the tents you are looking into!
9. Gambling and Glamour 🎲
Instead of heading out to the casino, why not bring the casino to you! Blackjack, Roulette and Poker are sure to dazzle your guests and their spirits soaring.
This is a great option for entertainment as you can have multiple stations with croupiers for your guests to flit between and mingle. Whether you want to hire a whole roulette table, or you just want to get a poker set and some chips, a Casino Royale or Las Vegas themed party is sure to be a hit with your guests. Keep it classy with black tie dress codes and cocktail mixologists, or make it a more casual afternoon of games and fun with your friends. Easy Peasy!
Top Tip: Having croupiers to help out can be a great way to help those who don’t know the rules and to give some structure to your party!
10. Escape to the Country 🏰
If you want to get away for a long weekend with all of you loved ones together in one big home, then grab your friends and family and book a Staycation!
Whether you want to be deep in the great British countryside or if the beach is calling your name, there are so many holiday homes and cute cottages out there for every group size imaginable. A weekend long party might be the way to go if you really want everyone to feel relaxed and get to know each other. How about it?! We even have a great guide to Staycations here.
Top Tip: Hire a Private Chef to give you an evening off the cooking and allow you to spend more time with your friends and family.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are hosting a massive party for everyone you know, or you’re sticking to a few select guests, your Engagement Party should be nothing but fun. Remember that the most important part is everyone getting to know each other a little better before the two families become one, so don’t forget to spend time with your guests and enjoy yourself.
Got the Engagement Party sorted and now need some help with your Wedding Planning? Check out our Ultimate Wedding Guide here.
If you are looking to find the perfect service for your event, check out our catalogue which will give you instant pricing and availability from our suppliers.
Need a little more help? Contact our Client Support Heroes: hello@poptop.uk.com
Client Support Hero & Event Expert
Passions: Travelling, Plants, Halloween, Gigs, Disposable Cameras, Noodles, Indie Music, Books and Roller Skates.