Wedding Planning - Quick Guide To Pre-Wedding Parties

Weddings are one of life's most celebrated events. The moment that you and your soon-to-be-spouse inform your loved ones about your upcoming nuptials, a stream of parties and get-togethers will begin to take place. Many of those who love you both, and are excited for your big day, will want to begin a pathway of celebrations that will lead up to the big event-- from engagement parties to the rehearsal dinner, and everything you can think of in between. Enjoy all the excitement happening around you during this time. Attend the parties thrown in honor of you and your fiance, and remember these wonderful celebrations will become fond memories in the years to come. The following guide will help you gear-up for most of those pre-wedding festivities.

Engagement Parties

Engagement parties are meant to bring family and friends together, in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, to announce and celebrate the glowing couple's recent engagement. Many times the announcement is a surprise. After all of the guests have arrived at the party, the host(s) will usually gather everyone and make a surprise toast announcing the newly engaged couple of honor.

• Who hosts?
  
  Traditionally, the bride's parents were the first ones to host this event. Then, the groom's parents might wish to throw the couple a party as well. Times are changing though, and there aren't any strict rules here. Any close friend or relative of the bride or groom may wish to throw the celebration as well-- especially if the parents are not living in that same town.
  
  
• When?
  
  First off, the couple will of course want to announce their wonderful news to their parents. After doing so, the parents (or whomever will be hosting the party) may wish to throw a celebration in honor of the bride and groom-- usually within several weeks or a couple months after they are told the good news.
  
  
• Where?
  
  Any kind of location with a relaxed atmosphere will make the perfect spot for this celebration. Engagement parties can be held at the hosts' home, out on the back patio, at a favorite restaurant, banquet room, park, or practically any other comfortable locale. The tone of this event is usually casual, though the host(s) may wish to throw a more elaborate event if they choose to do so.
  
  
• Gifts?
  
  Gifts are not required, nor should they be expected (especially if it is a surprise announcement of course.) Though, you will still most likely have guests that want to show their congratulations by bestowing a gift. Graciously thank them for the gift and follow-up with a prompt handwritten thank you note as well.

Bridesmaids Luncheon

• Who hosts?
  
  Traditionally, the bride hosts this occasion in honor of her maids. It's an intimate and relaxed celebration thrown to show her appreciation and thanks for all their help and support during the pre-wedding planning stages. On the other hand, the luncheon could also be hosted by the bridesmaids in honor of the bride.
  
  
• When?
  
  This event is usually held right before the wedding day-- often on the day before. Keep in mind that you don't have to let the title of this celebration dictate what time of the day you should throw this get-together. It may be a luncheon, or it can be held in the evening for dinner. This is entirely up to the host and everyone's hectic schedules.
  
  
• Where?
  
  The event can be as formal or informal as you wish. For this reason, your options are pretty much endless when it comes to where you can celebrate. Some popular choices include: restaurants, banquet rooms, the hostess' home, outdoor park/garden setting, etc.
  
  
• Gifts?
  
  Gifts are usually given from the bride to her bridesmaids at this time. The bridesmaids may also wish to give a group gift to the bride as well.

Showers

• Who hosts?
  
  As tradition has it, usually the bride's honor attendant and/or bridesmaids host the event. Though today, showers can be hosted by almost anyone. Co-ed showers are also a growing trend-- the groom, his groomsmen and other male relatives and friends would also be able to join in on the festivities. In keeping with traditional etiquette, the mother of the bride, the bride's sisters and/or her grandmother(s) are the only ones who should refrain from hosting any showers.
  
  
• When?
  
  Wedding showers are usually held anywhere from three months to one week before the wedding day. Depending on the circumstances of the host, guest of honor and guests, the shower could very well be held at an earlier date.
  
  
• Where?
  
  The event can be held almost anywhere: the hostess' home, backyard, restaurant, park, beach, country club, garden, etc. The skies the limit on this one. You'll want to confer with the bride (and groom if it is a co-ed event) and ask what they would like. The setting for the occasion should reflect the bride's (and groom's, if co-ed) tastes and likes.
  
  
• Gifts?
  
  Of course! The main purpose of this event is to help the bride and groom set up their new household together. Guest's usually let the shower's theme be their guide when selecting gifts. Gifts are often chosen from the couple's registry, if they have one, as well.

For a complete guide on wedding showers, click here!

Bachelor/ Bachelorette Party

• Who hosts?
  
  Most of the time, these get-togethers are hosted by the wedding attendants; headed up by the Best Man for the bachelor party and by the Maid of Honor for the bachelorette party. Other close friends and/or relatives may wish to be involved with planning the event as well.
  
  
• When?
  
  This celebration usually takes place the week before the wedding. It's not recommended that you choose the night before the wedding to enjoy this get-together, as the bride and groom, along with the rest of the guests whom are attending the party, will need rest before the wedding day. These parties often go till the late hours of the night (or even last more than one day), so choose an evening at least a week before the big day.
  
  
• Where?
  
  Bachelor and bachelorette parties have definitely evolved into a more tasteful and casual get-together. It's becoming more popular for brides and grooms to opt for a more relaxed way to celebrate. The groom may be taken away for a weekend golfing or camping getaway rather than hang out at a bar all night. The bride and her maids may consider a day at the Spa-- complete with facials, manicures and pedicures-- or maybe even just an evening at the hostess' home for a girls' night of rented movies, pizza, popcorn and lots of laughs. It's entirely up to the host(s) (with respect for the engaged couple's wishes) where the occasion may be held and what kind of festivities will take place.
  
  
• Gifts?
  
  Usually the honor attendant (from each side) will rally up the other attendants and decide what gift to get for the bride/groom. The Best Man is usually in charge of collecting funds and choosing the gift for the groom, as the Maid of Honor will do the same for the bride. The important thing to remember here, is that the bride/groom will not incur any expenses out of his/her own pocket-- transportation, meals, drinks and any activities are paid for by those hosting the event.

Rehearsal Dinner

• Who hosts?
  
  Traditionally the groom's parents host this dinner, though these are not strict rules to live by either. If the groom's parents are not hosting the dinner, then the bride's parents, or even a close relative or friend, may take the honor of hosting the evening event.
  
  
• When?
  
  The rehearsal dinner usually takes place the evening before the wedding. The ceremony rehearsal will end and it will lead the entire wedding party together at one meeting place to relax, in a comfortable atmosphere, and enjoy each other's company on the last day before the wedding.
  
  
• Where?
  
  This event is usually very intimate and casual-- with the guests being all those involved during the ceremony( along with their spouses or significant others) and possibly any out-of-town guests if desired (this is always a great time to include those who have traveled far to be there on your wedding day and are close at heart to you.) The dinner can be held at a restaurant or banquet room, the hosts' home, a backyard, country club or anywhere that the hosts and couple feel is appropriate. As with the other pre-wedding parties, there really aren't any hard and fast rules here.
  
  
• Gifts?
  
  If the bride and groom haven't already given out the attendants gifts, they may do so at this time.

The above list only mentions the traditional parties and get-togethers usually held before the big day. Any kind of celebration or gathering of family and friends is a great idea-- even if it's just a "get to know you" party. The engagement period should be filled with several opportunities for both sides of the families to get acquainted.