8 Fun Engagement Party Themes to Inspire You
You just got engaged! Share the good news with your families and close friends with a celebration. An engagement party is the perfect way to do all that and more. Need some inspiration to make it a memorable occasion? Here are some fun themes, along with ideas for decoration and food and drink, to consider for your engagement party.
Fun and festive themes for engagement parties
Backyard BBQ
A backyard BBQ is a laid-back and cost-effective way to celebrate your engagement that’s perfect when the weather is nice. Host the party in your backyard, or a friend’s backyard if you don’t have one. Many public parks also offer public pavilions you can rent out for your engagement party. Plan to cook everyone’s favorites, like burgers and hot dogs, on the grill and serve everything picnic-style. Wash it all down with beer and adult iced teas. Add a fire pit or bonfire to roast some s’mores. And don’t forget to include plenty of fun lawn games, like corn hole, bocce ball, and giant Jenga.
Tropical treats
Go tropical with leis and luaus at your festive and casual engagement party. Decorate everything in tropical colors, lots of flowers, palm trees, and pineapples, accented with festive fairy lights. You have plenty of great options for tropical and fruity cocktails, including piña coladas and mai tais. Take a page from actual luaus for your food, with dishes like Kalua pork, poke, and ahi tuna. Set up a photo booth with costumes and props and capture all the fun tropical vibes.
Festive fiesta
For a super festive and colorful party, go with a fiesta-themed engagement party venue. This can be a very casual event at your home or at a restaurant. Either way, decorate with vibrant colors, flowers, cacti, and some fun piñatas.
For food, set up a taco bar with different fixings so your guests can make their favorites. Offer a variety of margaritas, as well as a selection of tequilas and mezcals to really get the party started.
Movie night
Turn your engagement party into a romantic movie night by showing clips from your very own love story. Create a montage of favorite moments, and rent a projector and screen to set up in your backyard. It’s a great way to truly celebrate you as a couple. For treats, include all the classic favorites from the movies, including giant tubs of popcorn and an assortment of candy and sweets. For an extra touch, offer a DIY popcorn bar with different flavors for guests to customize. Include an assortment of beers, wines, easy cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks for the designated drivers.
Ice cream social
An ice cream social is the sweetest way to celebrate the happy couple. It’s also a great engagement party theme for both adults and kids. Depending on the time of year and weather, the party can be held at an outdoor or indoor engagement party venue. Set up a station with all your favorite ice cream flavors, along with a variety of toppings. Your guests can help themselves by creating their favorite combinations, including floats and splits. For a chic touch, add a gelato cart.
Boat party
If you live anywhere near water, celebrate your engagement with a boat cruise. You can make the party an intimate one with a few friends or a big bash. The party can also be casual or glam — you’ll find a variety of party boat packages out there so you don’t have to lift a finger. Sail during the day and include some time swimming and playing in the water, wait until sunset for a romantic cruise, or party the night away. Many cruises can include a DJ or other entertainment. If sound is a concern, try a silent disco.
Travel around the world
For the couple that loves to travel, a travel theme is the perfect way to celebrate their engagement. You can pick one or two specific countries or cities (perhaps where you first fell in love, or where you are going on honeymoon), or pick different places around the world. Include a globe and use postcards from different locations as decoration. Include photos of yourselves in different locations if possible. Serve your favorite drinks and snacks from different locations and cultures, and everyone can learn to toast your happiness in different languages.
Winter wonderland
Couples that get engaged in the wintertime should take advantage of the season. Think lots of white, snowflakes, and pine cones for decoration, and don’t forget lots and lots of festive lights. Those celebrating close to Christmas can be especially festive. For drinks, serve classic warm winter beverages, such as hot cider, mulled wine, and sangria. Kids and those who don’t drink will love having their own hot chocolate bar. For food, go with a fondue station, festive canapés, and plenty of sweet treats.
Final thoughts on throwing a great engagement party
There’s no need to stress about throwing an engagement party. It can be as formal or casual as you want. You can throw it at home, in your backyard, or just about anywhere. If you don’t have the right place, there are also plenty of great engagement party venues you can rent out for your party. Lastly, you don’t even have to throw the party yourself. Engagement parties are often hosted by family members or close friends. You’ll have enough on your plate planning the wedding, so let someone else take care of the engagement party, and have fun celebrating the two of you.
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