Party Time….

YOU’RE ENGAGED!!

Your decision to marry is the most important and exciting turning point in your relationship.

You’ve chosen the ring and remember, if your choice is a diamond, be familiar with the four “C’s”….

Cut    -   it’s about the quality of the cut – the better the cut, the greater brightness, fire and sparkle

Colour  -  the most sought after and most expensive diamonds have no colour

Clarity  -  imperfections are invisible to the naked eye – the less imperfections the more valuable  the diamond

Carat   -  a diamond’s weight is measured in carats – be aware of high carat weight but may be badly cut

 

And now it’s time to plan a party to celebrate your engagement…an opportunity for you and your families to celebrate your wonderful news with the important people in your lives.

Keep everything simple.  You may like to choose a local venue, such as a restaurant or bar, or perhaps a private garden for an informal catered barbeque. The main thing to remember is that you already have a really big party coming up so you don’t want to blow your wedding budget on your engagement celebration. No one will be expecting a formal affair – it can simply be a casual barbeque lunch, an afternoon garden party or evening drinks around the pool.

Hawkshead Lodge and Gardens, Lake Wanaka, New Zealand can offer just that.

As with your wedding, you may want to have a theme for your engagement party, which can add to the sense of fun and celebration.

Keep it relaxed and fun and don’t stress trying to do everything yourselves. Enlist the help of your wedding party and friends to share the load of arranging invitations, decorations, food and drinks, and make getting ready for your party enjoyable.

If you are planning a large wedding, you won’t need to invite everyone to the engagement party – keep it to close friends and family and make it an intimate celebration. If you have made it known that you are having a very small wedding – perhaps family only – or if you are getting married overseas or in another town, you may have a longer list of people you’d like to invite to your engagement party.

Engagement gifts are not expected, but many guests may still want to bring you a little something. Etiquette and tradition suggests that gifts be given prior to the party, however if some of your guests do bring them along, be discreet and open them after the event so others don’t feel uncomfortable. And don’t forget your thankyou notes.

The biggest key to having a successful engagement party is to enjoy yourselves. Make the planning and organising part of the fun and think about how wonderful your wedding day will be.

This is just the beginning!!

All you need do is contact me for a chat about having your special occasion here at Hawkshead.

Bridget

www.hawkshead.co.nz