Engagement Party

Well I've just about wrapped up the party plan for julieulie and Scott's engagement party (Julie: you still haven't told me the story of how you got engaged!). The event is being held later in the evening because it's a dessert party where sparkling wine will be poured freely and desserts will be decadently divine. The invitees have rsvped, the desserts - including the couples favorites - have been chosen, the drinks are waiting to be chilled, and the fiesta space is looking decorative. But before I give the green light to this party there is one more thing to worry about: the music! An elegant engagement party that sets the tone of the upcoming wedding must have an equally sophisticated soundtrack. To see my playlist, read more

One reason to choose a long engagement after your man pops the big question is so you can have an engagement party. This week I'm planning one for julieulie and her fiancé Scott who recently got engaged, but aren't getting married until Memorial Day 2008. I thought it would be fabulously fun and original to throw a dessert party instead of a typical dinner or cocktail party. Desserts as meals are an up and coming trend, and more and more restaurants that are devoted to only desserts are showing up all over the place.

Julie & Scott's close friends and family have received their invitations to the fiesta that will start on a Saturday night at 8:30. The menu will consist of a dazzling array of divine desserts including brownie cupcakes, strawberry shortcakes, and a cheese and fruit plate. The champagne will flow like water as the invitees toast Julie and Scott's eternal love. I've painted a pretty picture of this party, but what about the decor? To see my romantic, chic, and elegant ideas, read more

The announcement of a marriage is an excellent reason for a party. I love the idea of making it a surprise by inviting intimate friends and close family over to a party and, along with your boyfriend (who has already proposed), announcing your engagement. If the announcement will be made at the soiree, the couple should host the engagement party. However, if the engagement is known it is typically thrown by the bride's parents. Another option (fellows please pay attention) is for the groom to host the party and surprise by proposing to his girlfriend in front of everyone. It's the most romantic if the groom lets all of the guests know the reason for the celebration, which can be easily conveyed in a short polite phone conversation. The last wedding I went to, the engagement party was the latter option and Ryan surprised Sarah on a vacation in Tahoe by getting down on one knee in their hotel room. Little did she know that he had rented the room next door as well and that all of their friends were waiting to commemorate the occasion. This week I am helping julieulie's parents plan an engagement for her and her husband-to-be, Scott. I created a collage (ideally of the couple) invite and chose the desserts to be on the menu. Today I am talking about what drinks should be poured during the fete, so please read more

An engagement party is often thrown to announce the forthcoming marriage of a couple, and in my case, the arrival of Wedding Season on the Sugar Network. The creative juices are flowing and I'm pulling out all of the stops for the most fabulous party yet: a dessert party. The elegant invites set the tone for an extravagant menu full of sweet treats: chocolate brownie cupcakes, salty almond chocolate bark, creamy mini cheesecakes, and tart strawberry shortcakes. Sounds like a pretty complete menu, right? Wrong! What about those people who don't like desserts (I know, hard to believe, but they do exist!)? What will the hostess with the mostess serve them? A simple (seriously this involves no baking or cooking) cheese and fruit platter. To see how to arrange one, read more

I'm planning an engagement party to kickoff Wedding Season, so fill your heads (and hearts) with fabulous ideas and tips (homemade invitations, anyone?) on how to host your own. Mine will be an after dinner dessert party with champagne and a to die for dessert buffet. Taking help from your local bakery is an easy way to round out a menu of homemade mini baked goods. Store bought cookies and tiny candies can fill silver platters and sparkling bowls. Since an engagement party should really be all about the couple, be sure to include their favorite desserts (and don't forget something chocolate for all of those chocoholics!). In my case, Julie loves cheesecake and Scott is mad for strawberry shortcake so those two dishes must be on the menu, for the recipes read more

Wedding season has finally arrived, and to celebrate I'm planning an engagement party. While I was making the invitations, I spent a lot of time wondering what kind of an event it should be: an afternoon cocktail versus a sit down dinner versus a Sunday brunch? I wanted to do something different than your typical expected, everyday engagement party and suddenly it hit me: a dessert party! A dessert party is the perfect type of fiesta to embrace and honor the upcoming marriage of a young couple. It's less formal and easier for the hostess than dinner, and besides cocktail parties are expected so surprise guests with a decadent dessert buffet. Bite sized desserts are elegant and tasty and to ensure that the host/hostess doesn't spend all night scooping ice cream or cutting slices of pie and cake, all of the dishes should be small, portable finger foods. I'll be highlighting the recipes throughout the day so be sure to check back later for all of the delectable desserts. You can't have a dessert buffet without chocolate, to check out my chocolate recipes, read more

Here comes the bride...no wait, you have plenty of time for that! You crazy kids just got engaged! It's time to let the planning begin. I'm convinced that some couples prolong their engagement just to keep throwing parties leading up to the biggest party of all: the wedding day. Hey, I have no problem with that; party on is my mantra.

The first party for the soon-to-be-wed couple is the engagement party. This is normally thrown by one of the parents of the bride and groom, or jointly by the couples' parents. This is an intimate affair that takes place in either the parent's home or a restaurant. The glowing couple has to look their best and PartySugar has already set the mood so use that as an outfit guide. I will start you off with these Prada Camoscio Charming Slingback, $475.

Let's go Fab Finding for the perfect engagement party outfit. There are so many great dresses out there right now, so I suggest pairing these nude sandals with a smart dress - there will be family involved here so nothing too sexy - a pretty handbag or clutch, and a terrific cover up. Be sure to come back and tell me your Fab Finds are up, or just tag your Fab Finds with engagement party.

To learn what a Fab Find is and how to make one, click here. For a more detailed explanation of bookmarks from geeksugar click here.

To see some of my favorite online stores, read more

Calling all brides-to-be! Wedding season has begun on the Sugar Network and I am here to help you plan every aspect of the big day. Wow, there I go again getting super excited and jumping ahead. What happens after you've just gotten engaged? You throw an engagement party! Ok, traditionally someone else will throw the engagement party for you, but it's 2007 and if you want to host it (or are hosting one for someone you know who was recently engaged) you've come to the right place because all week I'll be planning an engagement party. I'm helping lucky reader julieulie plan her big day. She got engaged a few months ago, and plans on getting married in May of 2008. Now is a wonderful time to announce her engagement, with plenty of time to spare before sending out her save the date cards. Your engagement party should be a small intimate affair for the families to get to know each other - if they don't already. Select your guests wisely because all those who attend your engagement party will expect to (and should) be invited to your wedding. To see the easy engagement party invitations I've designed for Julie, read more