You’re engaged, and now it’s time for wedding parties! There are several parties you’ll attend apart from the wedding. The parties are designed so you can spend quality time with your friends and family before and after your wedding. I included different ideas beyond the traditional showers and parties in the list below.
Wedding Parties | Celebrations to Attend Once Engaged
1. Engagement Party
This is usually given by the parents of the couple or the couple themselves, at home or at a restaurant, to celebrate the couple’s upcoming nuptials. A new twist can be throwing a themed party and having your guests dress accordingly. A possible theme is the 70’s or just dressing in costumes.
2. Bridal Shower
The bridal shower is usually given by the mother of the bride, the mother-in-law to be, or the maid of honor, in the home of the host. Instead of the usual games, food, and gifts, consider having the shower somewhere relaxing such as a spa. You can have lunch afterward at your favorite restaurant.
3. Bachelorette Party
Usually, the bachelorette party consists of club hopping and a lot of drinking with your friends. If the club thing isn’t your thing, rent a nice hotel suite, and make it a slumber party. You can party in your room and not worry about driving home.
4. Bachelor Party
When you think of bachelor parties, drinking and strippers probably come to mind. If you don’t want to worry about upsetting your bride, consider going to a sporting event with the guys and possibly renting a suite. Another option is a day of golf or barbecuing at the house.
5. Couple’s Party
If you both don’t want a bachelor or bachelorette party, host a couple’s party instead. Invite your friends over for a cookout or a group outing to a sports event or to an amusement park. If you want something more adventurous, consider a paintball party.
6. Rehearsal Dinner
The rehearsal dinner is usually held immediately after the wedding rehearsal the night before the wedding. This is a low key affair to feed the members of the wedding party, including the parents of the couple. An alternative can be having a pre-rehearsal brunch or lunch, so you won’t have to worry about hungry and cranky party members.
7. Post-wedding Party
Sometimes, due to a tight budget or location, a couple can’t invite all of their friends and family to their wedding. If that is the case, you can still celebrate with them with a post-wedding party. This can be a casual affair held at your house or at a park if the weather permits.
Have a quick look at how to set up a bridal shower party and its decors and games in this video from shortyisdopeTV:
We hope our ideas for wedding parties will help you plan your events with your loved ones. You don’t have to have all of the parties — you can pick and choose the ones that appeal to you and your future spouse. Just remember to have fun and keep your stress level down as much as possible.
What other ideas for wedding parties do you know? Share them in the comments section!
Up Next: Life AFTER the Wedding: What Happens Once the Bouquet’s Been Thrown and the Guests Go Home?
Editor’s Note – This post was originally published on April 11, 2014, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.