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Jessica
Newbie July 2022 British Columbia

2 phased engagement party?

Jessica, on January 14, 2020 at 14:23 Posted in Before the wedding 0 3
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Hey everyone!

I just got engaged in November Smiley smile We are planning on having around 100-120 people at our wedding in summer 2021. We're planning our engagement party for summer 2020.

We originally wrote out the guest list for the engagement party, and ended up with 58 guests. This seemed like too many in my opinion, and seemed like it would just be a mini wedding at this point. Majority of these invites are friends.

We were thinking of doing a catered lunch/drinks with our family/wedding party/ and a few closest friends - this number gets to 44 people including us, and 5 children, then having everyone else come over later in the evening for cocktails (an additional 15 people).

Has anyone ever done this? Or does anyone have any thoughts about this? My biggest concern is I want the engagement party to be more intimate and family oriented, rather than a party between friends. This way we can still somewhat do both.

3 Comments

Latest activity by Ashley, on January 17, 2020 at 11:13
  • Ashley
    VIP August 2020 Ontario
    Ashley ·
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    Can you maybe do the engagement party with close fam in the earlier day and then have friends come over more in the evening time? also keep in mind not everyone can make it just cuz there 58 people on your list doesnt mean they will all show up.

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  • Allison
    Master October 2019 Ontario
    Allison ·
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    We did a 2 phased bridal shower/I Do BBQ where from 1-4 was my bridal shower with my bridal party, friends and family. (DH did another activity with his wedding party, friends, family) and after 4 pm, everyone came together for the BBQ, drinks, etc.


    I think if the 1st part of your engagement party is just family/wedding party, your friends won't mind as much, but I would not invite any close friends who are not in the wedding party to that 1st part.


    You can also do what we did and hosted an "open house" styled party where you offer a time range for people to drop by (3-9 pm). We had food and beverages throughout the party, and had catered dinner (wraps and sandwiches) from 5-7 pm. This way we didn't feel like the party was too big and got to visit with guests more when they were there. We invited 60 but didn't have more than 40 people at any point.

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  • Amelia
    Master October 2020 New Brunswick
    Amelia ·
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    Some people are easily offended by two part parties (I'm not one of them, but I've met a few) so I would be cautious of that.


    I think if those 15 people are important to you, and they don't shatter the budget, I would just invite them. 58 can still be intimate. Plus by them time you invite people and have a few RSVP no you might end up closer to your ideal number anyway.
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