PARTIES & CELEBRATIONS
Prenuptial events are organized to have close family members and friends from both sides of the aisle have a chance to learn more about one another as you’ll be bringing all of them together for your special day and, perhaps, throughout your married life. Your future as a married couple is new territory for everyone. While you can’t dictate the future of all these relationships, you can plan for successful harmony on your wedding day by following one practical rule of thumb – make sure all pre-wedding activities share a common purpose to build goodwill and friendships.
ENAGAGEMENT PARTY
Engagement parties can be held at clubs, restaurants and even bigger venue, but no one is expecting you to make this event as elaborate as your rehearsal dinner or reception. You may choose to have a more intimate engagement party that includes only your parents, or you closest friends and family in celebration of your future wedding. Regardless of whether a warm, inviting restaurant, hire a caterer to cook and serve at home, or have a barbecue or dinner at one of your parent’s homes, your engagement party should be a time to look forward.
BRIDAL SHOWER
Bridal showers can be conducted in many different fashions. The hostess, usually a bridesmaid who is a non-family member, plans the event with input and guidance from friends and fellow bridesmaids. However, please ask your hostess to thoughtfully consider your tastes and not pursue her own preferences as you and your expected guests do not wish to be placed in awkward situations
Also stay organized. It’s easy to forget what gifts were presented by which guests. Consider assigning tasks to track gifts as this will help you with thank-you notes later.
GAME IDEAS
Two Truths and a Lie… A great way to break the ice for friends and family who have never met. Play by having all guests tell three “facts’ about themselves. Guests then guess which statement is false and which two are true.
Arts and Crafts… A fun way to mingle while working on a project --- especially if you and your friends are artsy. Choose a project that can be beneficial to your wedding, or something that your guests can keep. Your guests may need aprons to keep their clothing clean.
Recipe Card… Can be a fun way to collect food preparation tips from friends and loved ones as a keepsake present for the bride. Each guest verbally shares her recipe with the group and then submits the recipe on an index card with a personalized note for the future bride. The recipes are then presented in a decorative or handmade box.
Toilet Paper Dress… Begin by dividing your guests into two or more teams. Allot a limited amount of time for one member of each team to be wrapped in a toilet paper dress. When time runs out, choose a winning team based on the creativity of the dress or the team’s ability to use the entire roll.
More bridal shower game ideas can be found on line.
BACHELOR PARTIES
Bachelor parties have received bad reviews for as long as we can recall. However, most are little more than a day or night of manly fellowship and good ribbing that takes place far from the risqué venues of storytelling lore. Men usually spend most of their time talking about sports, playing sports, or watching sports during this time of fellowship. It’s typically meant to signify the future groom’s last day or night of bachelorhood and nothing more.
BACHELORETTE PARTIES
Your bachelorette party is another opportunity to unwind with friends and family. You can choose a hostess, help the guest list, and share ideas for the events. Typically, all attendees cover the bride’s expense for the activities.
REHEARSAL DINNER
A rehearsal dinner is an intimate gathering between the wedding couple’s families, their closest friends and all members of the bridal party before the busy events of the next day. Rehearsal dinners are usually celebrated in conjunction with the ceremony rehearsal, and are another occasion for your separate families to spend time together. Wedding events are buys happenings because your guests require your attention. The rehearsal dinner is one last chance to enjoy food and good cheer alone with your friends and family.
Most bridal parties celebrate this occasion in a restaurant, where guests can either enjoy pre-selected appetizers and entrees or choose from menu selections. You’ll want to visit some restaurants as a private patron well in advance of your wedding to determine the quality of food, service and atmosphere firsthand. You may desire a private room for you rehearsal dinner, so ask your host what size party can be accommodated. For bigger families, consider a larger venue.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Size… What type of space is available for small or larger parties (8 to 80) and is it open or private?
Menu… Will you select from a limited menu, the full menu or will the facility prepare anything you desire?
Special Requests… Can the facility accommodate special dietary needs?
Pricing… Will the restaurant offer fixed pricing with alcohol, and are there any additional fees?
Time… How long will you be able to use the space?
Service… How many servers will be handling your part?
ENAGAGEMENT PARTY
Engagement parties can be held at clubs, restaurants and even bigger venue, but no one is expecting you to make this event as elaborate as your rehearsal dinner or reception. You may choose to have a more intimate engagement party that includes only your parents, or you closest friends and family in celebration of your future wedding. Regardless of whether a warm, inviting restaurant, hire a caterer to cook and serve at home, or have a barbecue or dinner at one of your parent’s homes, your engagement party should be a time to look forward.
- Plan events that both your families will enjoy, giving your in-laws a comfortable environment in which to become better acquainted with your family and friends.
- Don’t jump the gun. The newly engaged couple may want to slowly reveal their plans to friends and extended family. Throw this event one month out from the engagement.
- A good rule of thumb is to plan to invite your engagement party guests to your wedding. Invite family first and then friends.
- Use email or Facebook to invite guests. Save printed invitations for later.
BRIDAL SHOWER
Bridal showers can be conducted in many different fashions. The hostess, usually a bridesmaid who is a non-family member, plans the event with input and guidance from friends and fellow bridesmaids. However, please ask your hostess to thoughtfully consider your tastes and not pursue her own preferences as you and your expected guests do not wish to be placed in awkward situations
Also stay organized. It’s easy to forget what gifts were presented by which guests. Consider assigning tasks to track gifts as this will help you with thank-you notes later.
GAME IDEAS
Two Truths and a Lie… A great way to break the ice for friends and family who have never met. Play by having all guests tell three “facts’ about themselves. Guests then guess which statement is false and which two are true.
Arts and Crafts… A fun way to mingle while working on a project --- especially if you and your friends are artsy. Choose a project that can be beneficial to your wedding, or something that your guests can keep. Your guests may need aprons to keep their clothing clean.
Recipe Card… Can be a fun way to collect food preparation tips from friends and loved ones as a keepsake present for the bride. Each guest verbally shares her recipe with the group and then submits the recipe on an index card with a personalized note for the future bride. The recipes are then presented in a decorative or handmade box.
Toilet Paper Dress… Begin by dividing your guests into two or more teams. Allot a limited amount of time for one member of each team to be wrapped in a toilet paper dress. When time runs out, choose a winning team based on the creativity of the dress or the team’s ability to use the entire roll.
More bridal shower game ideas can be found on line.
BACHELOR PARTIES
Bachelor parties have received bad reviews for as long as we can recall. However, most are little more than a day or night of manly fellowship and good ribbing that takes place far from the risqué venues of storytelling lore. Men usually spend most of their time talking about sports, playing sports, or watching sports during this time of fellowship. It’s typically meant to signify the future groom’s last day or night of bachelorhood and nothing more.
- Don’t let the events of your bachelor party be the elephant in the room on the first night of your honeymoon
- Choose activities that are also comfortable for your father and father-in-law. A golf course is often a great place to start the activities.
- Plan a bachelor party that is both fun and safe. Athletic events, a game of cards, or an outdoor trip are just a few of many options.
- Take time to relax and don’t preoccupy your time with worrying about the wedding.
- Be sure to thank the guys for their thoughts and support.
BACHELORETTE PARTIES
Your bachelorette party is another opportunity to unwind with friends and family. You can choose a hostess, help the guest list, and share ideas for the events. Typically, all attendees cover the bride’s expense for the activities.
- Don’t give out costly gifts at the bachelorette party. Remember the night, shirts or small trinkets will suffice.
- Agree upon a comfortable budget to spend on the party as not all of your bridesmaids may be comfortable with a costly bachelorette party.
- Bridezilla may want to rear her ugly head, but don’t let her. Take this time to enjoy the many events your bridal party is planning for you. They may not be exactly what you had in mind, but enjoy the company of good friends.
REHEARSAL DINNER
A rehearsal dinner is an intimate gathering between the wedding couple’s families, their closest friends and all members of the bridal party before the busy events of the next day. Rehearsal dinners are usually celebrated in conjunction with the ceremony rehearsal, and are another occasion for your separate families to spend time together. Wedding events are buys happenings because your guests require your attention. The rehearsal dinner is one last chance to enjoy food and good cheer alone with your friends and family.
Most bridal parties celebrate this occasion in a restaurant, where guests can either enjoy pre-selected appetizers and entrees or choose from menu selections. You’ll want to visit some restaurants as a private patron well in advance of your wedding to determine the quality of food, service and atmosphere firsthand. You may desire a private room for you rehearsal dinner, so ask your host what size party can be accommodated. For bigger families, consider a larger venue.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Size… What type of space is available for small or larger parties (8 to 80) and is it open or private?
Menu… Will you select from a limited menu, the full menu or will the facility prepare anything you desire?
Special Requests… Can the facility accommodate special dietary needs?
Pricing… Will the restaurant offer fixed pricing with alcohol, and are there any additional fees?
Time… How long will you be able to use the space?
Service… How many servers will be handling your part?