engagement party etiquette

Inkdancer

futuremrsfama said:

We got engaged in April, and are not having an engagement party until September (past the three months rule).  I really didn't want an e-party, but my MIL is soooo excited, she really wants to throw us one.  The timing however is because I wanted to be sure that my parents could also be there, and that is the soonest they could come down for it.  We will be putting something to the effect of Please no gifts, your presence and love is more than enough on the invites, b/c we certainly do NOT want it to seem like a gift grab - just a celebration and fun get together... 

...excited to try this espresso martini!!

If you write "no gifts" on an invitation, it tells people that this is a gift-giving event typically. Then they will feel conflicted-guilty about not giving you a gift, but feeling that a gift would not be received with gratitude.

Perhaps you should ask FMIL to host a "meet the families" get-together. It will still be a nice party celebrating your love, but nobody will expect to bring gifts if it is not called an engagement party. Semantics really do mean a lot.