Hi, everybody! I got engaged at the end of March and am looking at a long (understatement) engagement -- fiance is in a PhD program and we'd like to get as close to the end of that as we can. The big day looks like it'll come in 2016. We're fine with that. Patience is a virtue and all that.
Until then, we're pondering an engagement party. We have a HUGE family, and having a party for all of us, plus friends, would be more expensive than our parents can afford right now. I absolutely understand, but I've got to admit it makes me sad. We'd love to find a way to get all of us together for an inexpensive, laid-back day.
My quick idea was a potluck. I think they're awesome, but my mom feels it's rude because then they'd be bringing a gift AND food. I told her no one is expected to bring gifts to engagement parties, but the tradition is new to her and she thinks it's asking too much of our guests. What do you think?
Also, given the length of our engagement, would it be OK for us to wait a year or so to throw a bash? By that point, we would still be about 2 years from the wedding.
Thanks for the input.