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A Guide to Wedding Festivities

Katie Sweeney — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:19:28 PDT

When a couple decides to get married, they aren't just signing up to host a wedding, they are also committing themselves to a lot of parties that happen along the way. An engagement party, shower, and bachelorette are all commonly associated with weddings. But with so many parties, it's hard to keep them all straight! That's why I've created this handy guide that explains everything you need to know - from the proper time to host a shower to the first person to toast at the wedding. Read on for all the details.

How to Host an Engagement Party

Katie Sweeney — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 04:07:40 PDT

Wedding season kicked off earlier this week, and once you've gotten engaged, it's time to start thinking about an engagement party. The first step is to decide whether or not you want to have one. Traditionally, an engagement party was thrown for the couple to announce their engagement to friends and family, but these days, most people already know about it. To see my suggestions for planning the perfect engagement shindig, keep reading.

5 Reasons to Have an Engagement Party (and 1 Reason Not To)

TresSugar — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:30:00 PDT

One minute you're basking in the excitement of your recent engagement, and the next thing you know, you and your betrothed are being feted at an engagement party, with your likenesses rendered in marzipan atop a cake.

OK, so maybe that last part isn't true for everyone, but you may be surprised to find that when you get engaged, people want to throw you parties. Often, it's friends of your parents, who want to return some long-lost favor, or friends who love any excuse to celebrate. For five reasons why this tradition makes sense (and one reason it doesn't),

Someone offers to throw you one. Perhaps your aunt has five daughters, and you've attended every single one of their weddings. Or maybe your mom gave her best friend's daughter a fabulous wedding shower. These are the people who might want to host a party, so why not let them?
It's an excuse to eat and drink. I, for one, love any excuse to eat party food and drink free booze. Better yet, the timing should work out so that the event is before you and your groom start caring about getting in shape.
It keeps the guest list down. Chances are, you and your parents disagree about how many of their friends to invite to your wedding. So make a deal wherein you invite their top-tier friends to the big event and everyone else to the engagement party. Note: this works especially well if the engagement party is held in your hometown or wherever your parents live.
It's good practice for the wedding. Even if you engineer your wedding to be as much fun as possible, you and your mate will still spend a considerable amount of time on the big day greeting people you haven't seen in years while trying to make your way to the food table. So consider this training.
It's a chance to pause and reflect. After the initial bliss of getting engaged, you and your fiancé may find your conversations too consumed with wedding talk. Even if you try to be low-key about planning, you're bound to have some wedding-related stress. So remember: this is a happy time, an exciting milestone. An engagement party is a nice way to remind yourselves of that while spending time with people who are genuinely happy for you.

And one reason not to: it's expensive. If no one has offered to throw you an engagement party, don't feel obligated to host one, especially if you or your parents are footing a big wedding bill. Of course, that doesn't mean you can't still celebrate by inviting a bunch of friends to toast with you at a local bar.

If you are planning a wedding, happily wed, or looking for Mr. Right, start sharing your big day with our community. Just check the wedding content box on any community post.

Source: Cake Girl by Hyeyoung Kim

Fit and Fun Engagement Parties

FitSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 03:00:00 PDT

Weddings call for many celebrations, but all those parties don't need to be formal affairs. There are many fun ways for you to celebrate your engagement and bring guests together without having to stress about seating arrangements. Here are a few of my ideas for healthy and fun engagement parties.

Garden party: In my mind, a garden party is just a little more formal than a BBQ, but games are a featured activity nonetheless. You can play badminton and croquet. The Italian lawn game bocce ball is a fun way to engage (pun intended) guests of all ages. I also like that the Italian word for kiss, bacio, sounds a lot like bocce - it adds a romantic twist to the game.

Healthy cooking class: Many chefs, restaurants, and catering companies offer hands-on cooking classes, where every guest gets to play chef. Guests are placed into small groups to prepare different dishes. At the end of the class, you all sit down to eat the feast you created. Many of these schools allow you to participate in planning the menu, so you can opt for healthier fare.

See my third idea when you

Square dance: How long has it been since you have been to a square dance? Not only does a square dance offer the perfect opportunity to wear your fave cowboy boots, but you will also burn some serious calories while you do-si-do. This is a great way for everyone to mingle.

Need more wedding inspiration? Check out all of the Sugar network’s wedding coverage here.

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What to Bring to an Engagement Party

TresSugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:30:00 PDT

xlarger" height="400" width="266">So you got invited to an engagement party. Fun! But what should you bring?

First things first: you are almost never required to bring a present to an engagement party. In fact, bringing something too extravagant could be considered poor taste. The couple will get plenty of gifts at the wedding, so you don't want to overdo it at the more informal gathering.

But, if you're like me, you probably want to share your excitement for the couple by offering them a thoughtful gift. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Lighten up: Depending on the couple's sense of humor they may get a chuckle out of a book like Honeymooners Forever: Twelve Step Marriage Survival Guide.
DIY: You could team up with friends to make a photo memory book of good times shared among the couple and your group of friends. Or you could put together a book of well-wishes from the guests and present it to the couple.
Keep it simple: a nice bottle of wine or a fancy box of chocolates shows that you're in the mood to celebrate.
Stick with the planning theme: Planning a Wedding to Remember: The Perfect Wedding Planner would be thoughtful and useful.
Be sincere: A heartfelt card might make the best gift of all.

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Come Party With Me: Engagement Party - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:15:01 PDT

Theme parties are my favorite to decorate because it's so easy to create a festive look. For Ronda and James's Latin-themed engagement party, complete with salsa dancing class, the look will be fun and fabulous.

Set a folding table or console in an area that is far away from the dance floor. Run a printed table runner down the middle. Place the empanadas and chicken with mango salsa on dark blue serving platters. Serve the Mexican seafood cocktail in stemless martini glasses.

Stack red cocktail napkins near the pitchers of mojitos and arrange the glasses next to them. Geometric candles cast an inviting glow and a beautiful bouquet of yellow flowers adds a pop of color.

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Come Party With Me: Engagement Party - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:50:07 PDT

While some parties - like a bedazzle bonanza - require nothing more than a neverending flow of bubbly, others - like a Latin-themed engagement - scream signature cocktail. When selecting a signature cocktail, be it for your engagement or wedding, it's best to choose a drink that's easy to make in batches, matches your theme, and represents your personality as a couple.

When I was planning Ronda and James's engagement, sangria was the first drink that popped into my head. However, I came across this recipe for pomelo-mint mojitos. Although it makes one drink, I will increase the proportions to make a big pitcher.

To look at the refreshing recipe,

Pomelo-Mint Mojito
From Food and Wine

Ingredients

4 peeled sections of pomelo or grapefruit, chopped
6 mint leaves
2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate or orange sorbet
1 1/2 ounces white rum
Ice
Club soda
1 lime wedge

Directions

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the pomelo with the mint and orange juice concentrate.
Add the rum and ice and shake well.
Pour into a highball glass. Top with club soda and garnish with the lime wedge.

Makes 1 drink.

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Come Party With Me: Engagement Party - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:30:35 PDT

Since the cake is a huge part of your wedding day, when planning the engagement party, select a dessert that is not cake based and totally different from what you want to serve on the big day.

For Ronda and James's Latin-inspired affair, I'm making caramel-coconut shortbread. Cut into rectangles or squares, it's ideal because no utensils are necessary. Although this dessert has several components, it's far from intimidating and comes together quickly. Get the easy recipe when you,

Caramel-Coconut Shortbread
From Everyday With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
14 ounces soft caramel candies
5 tablespoons heavy cream
2 cups shredded coconut, toasted
1 cup chocolate chips, melted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°.
Using a mixer, beat the butter and sugar on high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in the vanilla.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt, then add to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed just until the dough comes together.
Press evenly into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Using a fork, prick the dough at 1-inch intervals. Bake until golden, 20 to 22 minutes.
In a medium saucepan, melt the caramels with the cream and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt over medium heat. Stir in the coconut, then spread over the shortbread.
Using a spoon, drizzle the chocolate on top. Let cool completely before slicing.

Makes 24.

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Tips For the Perfect Engagement Party

partysugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:50:52 PDT

If you were recently engaged: congratulations! While the weeks after he proposed can be overwhelming, they are also very exciting. First things first: you'll want to properly announce the engagement. One way to do so is by hosting an engagement party. To find out my tips for planning the perfect engagement party,

Host the party soon after you are engaged. The engagement party should always take place before the save the date cards are sent.
Select your guests wisely. Everyone who attends will expect to be invited to the wedding. However, there are circumstances - if your big day is a small destination event - where you may want to host a party for those who won't be attending the wedding.
Be creative! The party should reflect you and your fiancé's style. It can be anything from a private dinner at your favorite restaurant to a backyard barbecue to a salsa dance class followed by a buffet.
Traditionally, the engagement party is hosted by the bride's parents, but it's 2009, and really anyone, from the bride's best friend to the groom's brother, can throw your engagement party.
Whoever ends up hosting the party, thank them afterward with a nice note, tickets to a show or sporting event, or a cool coffee table book.
You don't want to upstage the wedding, so choose a theme and style that is different from the one you envision for the big day.
After a round of toasts, don't forget to thank your friends and family for joining you.
Promote mingling: an engagement party is a time for the two families to come together and get to know each other.
Gifts are not customary at an engagement, but some people may choose to bring them, so set up your registry.

What was your engagement party like? Please share your stories below!

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Come Party With Me: Engagement Party - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 07:50:25 PDT

Two weeks ago, I was starting to panic. Wedding season was nearly upon us and I had no bride and groom. Luckily I got a call from one of my oldest friends announcing her engagement! Giddy and excited, Ronda agreed to be my featured bride. Never one to procrastinate, Ronda and her fiance, James, are ready to celebrate with an informal engagement party. They're enthusiastic dancers, so the party will revolve around a salsa dance class. Everyone will be invited to join; after the class we'll toast the couple and enjoy a buffet of spicy Latin food. The menu will be a mix of homemade and store-bought items.

Bowls of purchased guacamole and a variety of salsas are perfect for dipping when paired with crunchy tortilla chips. Beef empanadas are filling and can be mass produced in advance. Plantain chips with chicken and mojito mango salsa are festive and delicious. A Mexican seafood cocktail packed with crab and shrimp finishes up the menu. For these recipes,

Empanadas
From Everyday Food

Ingredients

For the filling:
2 pounds ground pork or beef
2 medium onions, finely diced
2 jalapeno chiles, minced (ribs and seeds removed for less heat, if desired)
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) tomatoes, diced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
For the dough
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup cold water
1 large egg, lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon water (do not beat until ready to bake)

Directions

Make the filling: In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high, cook meat until no longer pink, breaking it up into small pieces, 5 to 7 minutes.
Add onion and jalapenos; cook until soft, 5 minutes. Stir in chili powder and tomatoes. Cook over medium until mixture has thickened, 12 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in cilantro. Let cool.
Make the dough: In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Using your fingers, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Add just enough cold water so dough comes together.
Form empanadas: Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface, and divide in half. Knead each half 2 or 3 times to form smooth balls. Cut each ball into four equal pieces. Cover with plastic; let stand until slightly risen, 20 minutes. Shape into balls.
On floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into an 8-inch round. Divide filling evenly among rounds, spreading it over half of each and leaving a 1/2-inch border.
Brush border of bottom halves with water; fold top halves over filling to enclose completely. Press edges to seal with your fingertips, then crimp firmly with a fork. If desired, freeze on a baking sheet until firm, 2 hours. Wrap tightly in plastic; freeze in plastic bags.
To bake fresh or frozen empanadas, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Brush tops with egg wash, avoiding crimped edges. Bake until golden brown, rotating sheets halfway through, 30 to 40 minutes.

Serves 8.

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Plantain Chips With Chicken and Mojito Mango Salsa
From Food and Wine

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 6 ounces each)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 large ripe mango, finely diced
1/4 cup minced red onion
2 tablespoons Telluride Mojito, without club soda (recipe below)
2 teaspoons minced jalapeño
1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
4 dozen large plantain chips

Directions

In a medium skillet, heat the oil until shimmering.
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat until browned on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Turn the chicken and cook over moderate heat until browned on the second side and cooked through, about 6 minutes longer. Transfer to a plate to cool completely.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the mango with the onion, Telluride Mojito, jalapeño, mint and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.
Arrange the plantain chips on a large tray. Halve the chicken breasts lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise. Put a piece of chicken on each plantain chip, spoon the salsa on top and serve.

Makes 4 dozen appetizers.

Telluride Mojito

16 small fresh mint sprigs, plus 4 more for garnish
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
3/4 cup white or gold rum
8 dashes bitters
2 cups club soda

In a bowl, using a wooden spoon, crush the mint with the sugar until the mint is coarsely chopped and the sugar is pale green. Add the lime juice, rum and bitters and stir to dissolve the sugar.
Strain the mixture through a coarse strainer into a small pitcher. Pour into tall glasses over ice and top each drink with 1/2 cup of the club soda. Garnish with mint sprigs and serve.

Makes 4 drinks.

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Mexican Seafood Cocktail
From Gourmet

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups chilled Clamato juice, or 1 cup tomato juice and 1/2 cup bottled clam juice
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon hot sauce such as Tabasco
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 firm-ripe California avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into small chunks
1/2 lb fresh lump crabmeat (1 cup), picked over
1/4 lb cooked baby shrimp
oyster crackers or saltines, optional for serving

Directions
Stir together Clamato juice, ketchup, lime juice, hot sauce, salt, onion, and cilantro in a large bowl, then gently stir in avocado, crabmeat, and shrimp. Spoon into 6- or 8-ounce glasses or cups.

Makes 4 to 6 first-course or light main-course servings.

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