Engagement Party Decoration Tips

Invite family and friends to gather in celebration of the happy couple's betrothal. Their romantic journey has led them to promise to spend their lives together and their loved ones share in that joy. Make their engagement party a memorable tribute to their love and the happy future ahead of them. Livelier and not nearly so elaborate as a wedding reception, the engagement party honors the affianced couple with revelry and toasts. The decorations should reflect who they are and what they enjoy. Does this Spark an idea?

Photos

Display pictures of the couple.

Reserve a table at the venue to showcase pictures of the happy couple. Scan some childhood photos--the sillier the better--and mix them with pictures from throughout their relationship. Graduation photos, senior portraits, even pictures of the groom-to-be dressed as Indiana Jones for his kindergarten Halloween party lend personality to the party. Inexpensive plastic frames in a variety of shapes and sizes lend visual interest to the arrangement. The photo table gives an overview of their life together--pets, vacations, holidays--and personalizes the celebration. If they have had engagement portraits made, a large print of the photo paired with a copy of the engagement announcement from the newspaper make a lovely centerpiece for the display.

Tables

Choose cheerful floral centerpieces.

Set up long tables and leave seating to the guests--place cards are too formal unless you choose to have a very elegant engagement dinner. Since the engagement party is more casual than the wedding, feel free to use bright table linens in colors such as turquoise or tangerine. A few gerbera daisies or sunflowers make laid-back centerpieces. Float white candles in martini glasses on the table for romantic accent lighting.

Party Decorations

Add casual flair with Japanese lanterns.

Hang crepe paper streamers from the doorway to create a whimsical party curtain. Make or buy a heart-shaped balloon archway for pictures or hang colorful Japanese lanterns from the ceiling. Set up the buffet with some platters on pedestals such as cake stands to create visual interest with a high and low arrangement. Sprinkle colored confetti amongst the dishes or scatter flower petals. If the couple knows where they will honeymoon, decorate one area with posters or postcards of their destination.