An engagement party is a celebration announcing the upcoming marriage of a newly engaged couple. It’s a chance for the couple to share their happy news with family and friends before their wedding day. Sending out thoughtful invitations sets the tone for this joyous occasion.
Invitations serve several purposes. They formally announce the engagement and provide important details about the party like the date, time, and location. Inviting guests by name makes them feel special. The invitations also represent the couple’s style and personality.
Making your own invitations takes time and effort but allows you to add personal touches. Purchasing customized invites from a stationer is easier but more expensive. Digital invitations sent online are a convenient budget option.
No matter which invitation format you choose, follow proper etiquette on wording, addressing, and sending them. Include all the key information but keep the language celebratory. Set a timeline for ordering, addressing, and mailing invitations. Follow up with prompts to RSVP.
With some creativity and organization, making invitations for your engagement bash can be very rewarding. This guide covers everything you need to know to make delightful invites from start to finish.
Should I Make or Buy My Invitations?
One of the first steps in planning an engagement party is deciding how you’ll create the invitations. You have three main options:
Make Your Own
Designing and making your own engagement party invitations from scratch allows for complete customization. You can pick out paper in colors and textures that match your wedding theme and highlight your creative skills.
Making DIY invitations takes effort and time. You need to design the wording and layout, purchase supplies like cardstock and envelopes, print or handwrite the text, and assemble all the pieces. Don’t take this route if you don’t enjoy crafts or are short on time.
Purchase Customized
Hiring a stationer to design and print customized invitations for your engagement celebration is easier but pricier. Experts can translate your vision into gorgeous keepsake invites.
Tell the stationer your wedding colors, styles you like, text preferences, and budget constraints. They’ll craft invites that convey your unique affection. Expect to pay $2-$15 per customized invite. Adding extras like lining, letterpress, or embellishments increases the cost.
Order early, especially if you want help wording your invites. Rush printing fees for last minute orders can apply. Factor in time to address, stuff, and mail invitations once they’re printed.
Send Digital Invitations
Email and online invitations are a convenient and affordable option for modern couples. Customize digital designs and instantly send to your guest list. Include an online RSVP form to streamline responses.
However, digital invites lack the sentimental touch of mailed invites. Some older guests may prefer paper. Follow up phone calls are important to confirm digitally invited guests received their invites.
Whatever method you choose, the invitations should reflect your personalities and set the right tone. Now let’s go over engagement party invite etiquette.
Engagement Party Invitation Etiquetter
Engagement party invitations need to contain certain details and follow traditional etiquette rules while still feeling fun and celebratory. Here are some top tips:
Focus on the Couple
While engagement parties honor both families, the invites should focus on the engaged couple. List their names first, in title case, before the hosts. Mention parents briefly in the host line.
Good:
Jennifer Jones and Michael Smith
together with our families
Jacob and Marie Jones
and
Mark and Angela Smith
request the pleasure of your company…
Bad:
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Jones
and
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the engagement celebration of their children…
This puts too much emphasis on the hosts not the couple.
Include Key Details
Provide all the vital information upfront:
– Couple’s first and last names
– Party description (engagement celebration, party, luncheon)
– Date
– Time
– Location
– Address
– Mention if the party is adults only
Set an Upbeat Tone
Avoid overly formal wording. Keep it fun and casual. Some phrases to include:
Save the Date
We’re Engaged!
Come Celebrate Our Engagement!
Let’s Party!
Use exclamation points to add excitement. Share a favorite engagement photo if sending digital invites.
Mind Your Manners
Don’t put the registry info or gift expectations on the invites. Use honorific titles like Mr. and Ms. only if you’re following very traditional etiquette. Include RSVP instructions and deadlines so guests can respond promptly.
Now that you know the basics of wording polite engagement party invitations, let’s discuss how to assemble and send them.
Assembling and Mailing Invitations
Once you’ve settled on invitation wording and finalized your guest list, it’s time to put the invites together. Here are some tips:
Order Early
When using a stationer, order your invites at least 2-3 months in advance. It can take 4-6 weeks just for printing. This builds in buffer time for any errors or delays.
Order extras in case you need to add guests or misprints happen. Extra invites and envelopes also allow you to run tests through your printer before the final batch.
Stuff with Care
Inserts like response cards, directions, or registry info can be added inside invitations. Fold cards neatly and stack items cleanly before inserting. Use dabs of glue on envelope flaps to keep inserts secured inside.
Consider the thickness before stuffing to avoid rips, tears, or postage issues. Oversized square invites with lots of inserts may need additional postage.
Address by Hand
Hand addressing envelopes looks more formal than printed labels. Use calligraphy or neat cursive writing. Include guests’ names and formal titles. Skip titles for kids.
Make sure names, addresses, and postage are visible through envelope windows if using that style. Always address the outer envelope only – not the inner invite pieces.
Mail 6-8 Weeks Out
Get your invites in the mail 6-8 weeks before the engagement party date. This gives guests time to arrange schedules and RSVP. Send even earlier if lots of out of town guests need to make travel plans.
Hand canceling stamps avoids smearing and ensures invites aren’t damaged in automated machines. Make a timeline and check off tasks to stay on track.
Sample Engagement Party Invitation Wording
Seeing examples is the best way to get inspiration for your own engagement invitation wording. Here are two sample invite texts:
Casual Backyard Brunch Invitation
Leslie and Steve
together with our families
joyfully invite you to a
Backyard Brunch Bash
to celebrate our engagement!
Saturday, June 3, 2023
10:30 am – 1:30 pm
234 Oak Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
Kindly RSVP by May 15
We hope you can join our celebration!
This informal invite sets a relaxed, festive tone perfect for a daytime backyard party. The short RSVP timeframe fits the casual vibe.
Formal Cocktail Party Invitation
Mr. Shawn Wallace and Ms. Elaine Winters
and their families
request the pleasure of your company
at their engagement celebration
Saturday, the Twenty First of January
Two Thousand and Twenty Four
at Seven o’clock in the evening
Clarion Hotel Grand Ballroom
123 Park Place
Miami, Florida
Black Tie Optional
Adults Only Reception
Kindly Respond by January 7
We hope to share this special occasion with you!
The formal style, longer RSVP period, evening timing, and dress code cue guests this will be an elegant affair. The wording reflects that.
These examples demonstrate how invitations set expectations. Yours should represent your personality and vision. Now let’s look at ways to add creative touches.
Getting Creative with Invites
Beyond the classic white or ecru invite on cardstock, you have lots of options to showcase your unique style. Here are some creative ideas to inspire you:
Use Color
Go bold with bright, vivid card colors like red, turquoise, or grape. Or try more muted tones like blush, sage green, or taupe. Monogram initials can be done in a contrasting shade.
Pick palette colors that coordinate with your wedding theme – nautical blues and anchors for a beach wedding, for example. The invites set the tone.
Incorporate Photos
An engagement photo or Polaroid snapshot adds a personal touch. Have a favorite picture printed directly on the invite or made into a sticker. Leave a blank space to slip in a photo.
For digital invites, make the happy couple’s picture the banner image. Just select a high resolution photograph with you both looking your best.
Mix Textures
Layer different papers and accents for tactile appeal. Pair a smooth cardstock with a kraft paper envelope or fabric pocket. Use faux feathers, twine, or flowers as embellishments. Letterpress printing adds dimension.
Ribbon, burlap, or lace can be made into bands tying invitations shut. Explore paper shops to find options that work with your theme.
Highlight Hobbies
Showcase favorite hobbies, travels, or tastes through your invites. A wine tasting couple could have invitations resembling wine labels. Fitness buffs may opt for running shoe shaped invites.
Photocopy favorite records to make unique covers for fold over invites. Use a passport design for well traveled couples. Have fun brainstorming creative concepts together.
Adding personalizing as a couple makes the invites more meaningful. Now let’s explore ways to manage your guest list and RSVPs.
Managing Guests and RSVPS
The guest list and RSVPs require special attention when planning an engagement bash. Follow these tips to stay organized:
Make a Master List
Draft your full guest list in one spot to avoid confusion. Mark definite invites versus ‘maybe’ options if you have space constraints. Include complete guest details – formal names, titles, addresses, relationships.
Make columns to track who was invited, when invites were sent, RSVP due dates, and final responses. Update promptly so it stays current. Share access with hosts and planners.
Strategize Groups
Break the list into subgroups for easier planning. Group families, friends from different periods, coworkers, etc. This helps balance guests and inform venue and catering decisions.
Prioritize must-invite VIPs. If capacity is limited, rank subgroups in order of importance and trim from the bottom until it fits.
Watch Deadlines
Set an RSVP by date about 3-4 weeks before your party date. This prevents catering guesswork. Follow up with non-responders after the deadline passes.
Build in time to adjust for declines. Depending on size, invite 10-25% over capacity since not all will come. But avoid over-inviting which strains the hosts’ budget.
Organize Responses
Track RSVPs as they come in. Some ways to organize responses:
– Mark yes/no on the invite list
– Use a spreadsheet to tally accepts and declines
– File response cards alphabetically in a small box
– Add responses to digital invite site or app
Update invite counts with final catering numbers 1-2 weeks out. Planning makes for smooth gathering.
Engagement Party Invitations Dos and Don’ts
To recap, here are some key dos and don’ts for your engagement party invites:
Do:
- Order invites early – 2 to 3 months out
- Focus on the engaged couple
- Use casual, celebratory language
- Include date, time, and location
- Hand address outer envelopes
- Give guests 4-6 week’s notice
Don’t:
- Let parents overshadow the engaged pair
- Use overly formal wording
- Mention gifts or registries
- Address inner envelopes or invite inserts
- Send last-minute invites
Designing your own invites requires more effort but adds personal flair. Purchasing customized invitations is easier but costs more. Digital invites are budget-friendly but less traditional.
However you create them, your invitations set the tone for celebrating your engagement. Follow etiquette and add thoughtful creative details. Stay organized with guest lists and RSVPs.
Conclusion
Throwing an engagement party is a significant milestone before your wedding. Sending thoughtful invitations helps kick off the celebrations. Set a joyful, romantic tone with words and designs that express your unique affection.
Order beautiful invitations early once you have confirmed event details. Hand address each one and provide key info without going overboard. Mail invitations 4-6 weeks out and prompt guests to RSVP.
Track your guest list diligently to account for responses. Mark important dates and manage deadlines. Add creative personalizing touches that reflect you as a couple.
With care and planning, your invites will build excitement leading up to the big day! Celebrate your love and this exciting step on your marriage journey. The engagement party is just the beginning of sharing your lives together.