Is it too late?

bbrooke1

I got engaged on Thanksgiving (end of November). Then came the holidays and time passed us by.... we want an engagement party but my parents go away to Florida for the whole month of Feb. Is it too late to have an engagement party in March? We are planning on having the wedding in December. 

emilyinchile

You don't throw an engagement party for yourself, nor do you ask for one. If someone hosts one for you, then it's their call when to do it. Although to be totally honest, I would think it was weird to go to an engagement party for a couple that had been engaged for 4 months.

duckie1905

You shouldn't throw parties for yourself.  If someone offers you can have one whenever you want but the further the actual engagement gets the more it looks gift grabby to me.

I'd say if someone offers after the end of February, decline.

jnic0319

We got engaged the end of October, his parents bugged us about giving them a date for an e-party right away but we felt really bad doing it around people's holiday and family time.  We are having ours in February and our wedding is in October, it's 4 months after our engagement which is kind of weird to me but his parents insisted we have one, I'm using the excuse that it's our 4 year dating anniversary so I think it is appropriate haha.  Bottom line, as long as someone else is hosting it then it's up to them.

callalily13

 My fiance and I are apart most of the year so my parents are planning an engagement party once Im back from college and graduated. I dont think a few months later will be an issue

[Deleted User]

What's with everyone saying you can't throw yourself an engagement party? I can see not hosting your own shower or bachelorette party, but the engagement party is totally different, to us anyway.

We got engaged last June and the wedding is in April. Due to financial issues all around and work things, we aren't having an engagement party until the end of February. And honestly, we really don't care if people think the timing is weird or whatever. It's your party, hold it when you want or when it's most convenient for you. I guess some people would say you should have a party closer to your engagement date, but in your case, you had the holidays to deal with then your parents being away, so why not March? I say go for it.

And no, we are not asking for gifts, if that's what the problem is with hosting your own party. What's the issue with having friends over for a backyard BBQ?

samscsi

I recently read somewhere that it's traditional to have the engagement party about four months after the proposal.  This gives you a chance to get used to the idea of being engaged (so you're no longer a babbling, super-girly, overly-excited version of yourself!) and gives you time to make the announcements and spread the word amongst your firends and family.  It also gives the guests a chance to make plans, especially if they're travelling in from out of town.

On the secondary issue of whether or not you should throw one for yourself, it's certainly not traditionally acceptable, but if it's an expected tradition in your family, go ahead and discuss it with your parents.  You probably shouldn't officially host it yourself, though.

Vintagelove4

It may seem a bit out of order to other people. If you want to have an informal dinner party to celebrate that could work.