Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Wedding Planning & Advice Wedding Etiquette & Advice The Dos (and Don'ts!) of Engagement Parties By Jess Levin Jess Levin Facebook Website Jess Levin is the founder & CEO of Carats & Cake, a premier network representing the best in the wedding industry. A native of Laguna Beach, California, Jess attended the University of Pennsylvania before heading to New York to work in venture capital at Burch Creative Capital, where she helped manage investments and brand development for a portfolio that includes Poppin and Tory Burch, LLC. After nearly three years identifying aspirational consumer-centric opportunities and strategies, Jess departed as an associate to pursue her MBA at NYU's Stern School of Business. While studying finance and entrepreneurship at Stern, Jess saw an opportunity to build upon her past experience as an investor and change the way local wedding vendors do business. The Carats & Cake network was built to connect affluent couples with elite vendors and venues, and is now supporting premium vendors with elegant business tools, exclusive media opportunities, and targeted cross-channel exposure. Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 27, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Troy Grover Everything you need to know about the pre-wedding party. 01 of 08 Emily Blake Industry expert and founder of Carats & Cake Jess Levin asked pros to share everything couples need to know about the pre-wedding party. Read on for all of the must-know engagement party etiquette. 02 of 08 Rule #1: Enjoy Yourself! DONNA NEWMAN "Do incorporate the story of the proposal into elements of the party. Create a guest book using pictures from the proposal moment or print cocktail napkins with details of when/how he popped the question. Don't hold your party too soon after the proposal. Instead of diving into party-planning mode right away, take some time to enjoy your newly engaged status as the upcoming months may be a bit hectic!" —Jennifer Zabinski, President & Founder, JZ Events 03 of 08 Personalize Your Menu Christian Gratton "Do serve your favorite foods as 'his,' 'hers,' and 'ours' style. It's a yummy conversation piece. Don't use all your creativity up. Save some of your ideas for the special day." —Carla Ruben, Owner & Creative Director, Creative Edge Parties 04 of 08 Hire a Photographer Ryan Ray "Do hire a photographer to capture your engagement party. It's a great opportunity to get fabulous pictures. Don't overspend. Be careful not to spend too much time or too many resources. Your engagement party is the first event of many to come." —Lynn Easton, Owner, Easton Events 05 of 08 Keep it Casual Shahar Azran "Do make this a fun 'cocktail/food station event' so guests can mingle and not be stuck at a table. Don't make this the wedding! Keep it intimate, less formal, and fun!" —Eyal Tessler, Owner, Tessler Events 06 of 08 Save Some of Your Best Ideas for the Wedding Troy Grover "Do pick a location that is very different from your wedding venue. Don't be upset if some of your guests are unable to attend. It's more important if everyone you care about is at the main event." —Brooke Keegan, Owner, Brooke Keegan Special Events 07 of 08 Gifts, or No Gifts? Gertrude & Mabel Photography "Do only invite guests who will also be invited to the wedding. Everyone who is invited to the engagement party absolutely must be invited to the wedding. The only exceptions to this rule would be very small weddings (under 50 people) or a destination wedding in a very far-flung location. Don't expect gifts at the party. Historically, guests didn't bring gifts to an engagement party as they were generally reserved for very close friends and family. However, as engagement parties have grown in popularity, more and more people are bringing gifts. You can also ask the party's host to write 'No Gifts' on the invitation if you feel strongly about your guests not bringing you a little something." —Amy Nichols, Owner, Amy Nichols Special Events 08 of 08 Show Off Your History Braedon Photography "Do embrace your different backgrounds and showcase the origins of where your families come from. Don't serve the same food you intend to serve at the wedding." —Kristin Banta, Owner and Creative Director, Kristin Banta Events Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit