My best friend from college just got engaged! It's a very busy and exciting time in her life, so I offered to plan her engagement party. Since many of you are brides-to-be or know someone who was recently engaged, I'll be sharing my party ideas with you. Use them to create your own fabulous engagement party.

Traditionally an engagement party is hosted by someone other than the bride, but if you want to have your own party, go ahead. Be sure to have the party well before the wedding. Remember that all of the people you invite to your engagement party should also be invited to your wedding. Once you have a guest list, send invites announcing the engagement and the party.

If you have an idea of the wedding's theme and colors, incorporate them into the engagement party invite. That's what I did here when I made Elena's invite. To see what I did, read more.

To make an invite similar to the one seen here you will need the following supplies:

• cardstock
• decorative paper
• colored ribbon
• scissors
• glue
• computer and printer

To assemble the invite:

1. Start by creating a new document in Microsoft Word. Write out the details of the engagement and the party. For mine I used the font Lucida Calligraphy in Size 12 to write the following message:
   

   Sean and Elena
   are happy to announce
   that they’re tying the knot!

   To celebrate their engagement, please join me in
   toasting the happy couple.

   Saturday, April 5, 2008
   Champagne and Nibbles
   6:00 in the evening

   PartySugar’s House
   San Francisco, CA

   please rsvp
   415.555.5555

   Center to the right side of the page. Print out on plain white paper and check for spelling or grammar errors. Once happy with the text and design, print out on the cardstock.



2. Cut the cardstock down to size and fold the page in half so that the text side is covered.



3. Glue the outside of the invite to the decorative paper and cut down to size.



4. Cut two long pieces of ribbon. Tie together to form a knot. Place on the front of the invite. Wrap around to the inside of invite and tie closed, forming another knot. Repeat with the other ribbon.



5. Slide into an envelope and send.