Engagement Party Planning Tips: Invitations, Decor, Food & The Perfect Dessert Bar

Throwing the Perfect Engagement Party (and Loving Every Minute of It)

An engagement party is the first big “yes” before the wedding planning truly begins—and it deserves to be just as special. Whether you're going for an intimate gathering or a lively celebration, it's all about thoughtful touches that make guests feel welcome and excited.

In this guide, I’m walking you through everything from planning and invitations to decor, dress codes, food, and that all-important dessert bar. Plus, I’m sharing the practical tips that made our day smooth and memorable—including the moment that brought it all together.

If you're planning an engagement party or dreaming one up, this is your go-to starting point.

Are engagement parties still a thing?

Absolutely — if you ask me, any excuse to gather your favorite people and celebrate love is a good one. When my daughter got engaged in March, we knew her wedding wouldn’t be until the following summer, which meant bridal showers, bachelorettes, and all the other festivities were still a long way off. But the excitement was fresh, and the couple really just wanted to take a moment to be surrounded by the people who mean the most to them. So, we decided to throw an engagement party — something intimate, joyful, and totally them.

1. The Planning Begins

When my daughter got engaged, I was beyond excited to host a celebration in their honor. But before I could start dreaming up tablescapes or what kind of cake to make (you know that was on my mind), I had to tackle the big three: date, location, and theme.

We chose a weekend that worked well for most guests, found a great venue (Hosted by family), and landed on a theme that felt modern and elegant — lots of white and black, with subtle romantic touches that reflected the couple’s style. Pinterest always helps with a great mood board or collage.

2. Invitations & Dress Code

Once the details were locked in, my daughter created and sent out invitations well in advance. This gave everyone time to make arrangements, especially those traveling from out of town.

Since the party would start in the evening, we went with a cocktail-style event and asked guests to dress accordingly — think: classy, but comfortable enough to enjoy a mini slider or two without worry. You have many options to choose from. An afternoon tea party, an evening BBQ, or even a formal social, just to name a few.

3. Styling the Party: Decor Details

The decor was driven by the couple’s clean, modern aesthetic. We kept the color palette neutral and elegant with white, black, champagne, and soft touches of greenery.

Abby (my daughter) created a beautiful custom backdrop for the main table. I layered in white and champagne linens for softness and texture, added white roses and simple candles, and tied black ribbon to helium balloons for a playful yet polished look. We printed photos of the couple and added them to frames already in place.

Everything was thoughtfully chosen to create a warm, welcoming space without going over the top and staying within budget.

If you chose an afternoon tea party, you may want to have florals and pastels in your decor. An evening BBQ may have elements of red/white or blue and white plaid or a more classic black, white and galvanized buckets.

4. Let’s Talk Food: Appetizer Heaven

Since it was a cocktail-style party, the menu had to be delicious, easy to eat, and abundant. I wanted every guest to find something they loved — especially with 50 people attending.

The food lineup included:

• Italian sandwiches

• Mini sliders

• Street corn pasta salad

• Bacon-wrapped figs

• Shrimp & meatballs in individual portions

• Spring Rolls

• Buffalo Chicken Dip

• Croquettes

• Veggie cups

• Charcuterie Chips

• And a little surprise spread

It was a mix of the couple’s favorites and classic crowd-pleasers. I planned it all for self-serve ease, but kept the presentation fun and fancy. I used various elements to create different heights and increase interest. Food is an area where I focus on maximizing taste and experience but still try to chose any cost saving opportunities.

5. The Dessert Bar (AKA My Favorite Part)

No celebration is complete without dessert — especially not one I’m hosting! I created a dessert bar filled with confections that echoed the theme and added a serious wow factor to the evening.

The star of the show? Two beautiful custom cakes, surrounded by curated sweets that brought the whole look together — and satisfied every sweet tooth in the room. It included Custom dipped Pretzels and Strawberries, Chocolate dipped Krispie treats, Cakesicles, and donuts. Desserts can be customized to any theme. Here I matched the black, white and bows in the decor to connect everything. When planning desserts, you want to think in terms of 2-3 pieces per person. Cakesicles also make sweet favors to send home with guests following the party.

Desserts are an area for me that are definitely splurge worthy. They add to the general aesthetic, create an elevated experience for your guests and support lasting memories.

6. The Practical Stuff That Made a Difference

Because I had to travel three hours to the event location, prepping as much as possible ahead of time was absolutely crucial. I packed everything I could, arrived early, and gave myself enough time to set up and get cooking without feeling rushed.

I ordered disposable plates, cups, napkins, and cutlery from Amazon — elegant, but no cleanup stress. Those little planning details made a big difference in how smoothly everything went. I wasn't setting a table so while I wanted items to coordinate with the party, this was a place to save money as they were not adding to the overall decor.

7. The Big Moment

The event came together beautifully. The guests were happy, the food was devoured, and the space looked even better than I’d imagined. Most importantly, the couple felt celebrated and loved — and that made every minute of prep worth it.

Family and friends visited and chatted through the evening, toasting the couple. If space and budget allows, you could consider adding live music or a special performance during your party as well. Our family loves to share stories and laughter, and it filled the evening beautifully.

Guests parted with a sweet favor that thanked them for attending. Favor ideas range from favorite treats of the guests of honor, like candy, cookies, popcorn and pretzels, to mini bottles of bubbly. We chose tic tacs and added labels which said "thank you for coming to our engage mint"

It was a joy to host, a labor of love, and a memory we’ll all hold on to.