Hey everyone!
My fiancé and I just got engaged on 12/16/11. Shortly after, we moved into a beautiful home that we are renting for the time being, but are planning on buying in a couple of years. My fiancé proposed the idea of throwing a housewarming/engagement party to celebrate.
I know that, traditionally, the parents/sibling are supposed to throw the engagement party. We’re not terribly fancy people, and we just want to have a bunch of our closest friends/family together and have a nice, drama-free night. We’re not expecting gifts either. We’re just going to have a cookout, some drinks and play some good music on the iPod.
I’m not very close w/my sister; we hardly ever speak and rarely see each other, despite living in the same town. My mom told me that my sister made a comment recently indicating that she was upset that we are throwing the engagement party, and that she should’ve been asked to do so. She doesn’t like my fiancé, so why would I ask her to host this? I’ve invited my sister and her husband, and my parents (who seem a little hesitant to come, but said they might stop by.....I think they're kind of in shock that we're engaged lol), but she hasn’t responded. I’ve tried contacting her, but nothing.
I would really love to have my family there to see the new house and help celebrate our engagement, but it really doesn’t seem like they’re on board. The party will happen with or without them there.
Any thoughts?
Is it wrong to throw this kind of party ourselves? And how do I deal with family members who don't want to be involved/attend?
Also, we are paying for our wedding ourselves.