A lot of people focus on the wedding day, but there’s actually so much more that goes into the months leading up to the big event and an enjoyable wedding shower or engagement party can really kick things off to a happy start. Planning DIY engagement party, without breaking the bank, is easy to do – so long as you’re prepared and not afraid to unleash your creative side.
Save money on your invites
One of the biggest expenses for engagement parties are the invites, especially if you’ve got a substantial guest list. And while it’s nice to have personalised invites, sometimes it just makes more sense to go with pre-prints where you fill in the details yourself. If you’re looking to give the invitations a personal touch, just print out a photo or write a nice personalised message in each one. Keep them to small envelopes to save money on postage and remember the invitations to the wedding are likely to be expensive, so this is a good opportunity to save a little bit of money while you can.
Decorate the party by yourself rather than hiring a professional
By decorating the party yourself, you will save money on the professional hire; you can take advantage of some budget-friendly options; and you can still achieve a mind-blowing setup that comes with a happy sense of achievement. Think about helium balloons, tea candles and seasonal flowers to save money while still creating that wow-factor presentation.
Time the party so it’s between meals
One of the biggest expenses when it comes to parties is food catering. If you time your engagement party or wedding shower for the morning or afternoon (or even as an after-dinner party) you will make things a lot cheaper in terms of catering. This will mean you only need to provide a few nibbles rather than a substantial meal for each guest – and you won’t have to worry so much about individual dining requirements or allergies.
Consider making the party BYO
Most guests won’t really bat an eyelid if you tell them that your party is BYO, particularly if it’s a wedding shower or engagement party. If you’re worried about appearances, you can always provide a base level of beer and wine (or a couple of bottles of celebratory champagne) to start off the night, and then let your guests take it from there. That being said, if you are going to go for the BYO route make sure you provide substantial cooling methods for your guests convenience like an esky or a bathtub that’s full of ice.
Take care when choosing your venue
There’s no real necessity for you to fork out the cash to hold your engagement party at an actual venue. Consider setting up at a relative’s home, or at a park or beach. These are inexpensive options that can prove to be even more successful than hiring a specific party venue. Just be sure to line up a wet weather alternative if you’re planning an outdoor do!
Keep your guest list at a realistic level
This is probably the hardest thing when it comes to planning wedding showers, engagement parties and the actual big day itself. Of course, you’re going to want everyone you love to be there, but don’t underestimate the appeal of an intimate party.
Culling people from your guest list will reduce the overall cost of your engagement party extensively. If you feel guilty excluding extended family, old school friends or work acquaintances, consider inviting them out for separate celebrations – where you’re likely to spend more time with them, compared to the big day itself!
