Loading...

16 Engagement Party Ideas We’re Loving

October 14, 2022 | riley

The time has come–you’re engaged! You’ve said yes to spending forever with your partner, which is cause for celebration. While you could host a classic engagement party–and there’s nothing wrong with doing so–you may want something a little more out of the box. Whether it’s because you and your significant other love breaking traditions or just love hosting a good themed party, we’re rounding up some of our favorite engagement party ideas. 

From movie night to a beach bonfire with all of your closest loved ones, these parties are sure to help you start your engagement off on the right foot. 

16 Engagement Party Ideas

Movie Night

There’s nothing quite like curling up and watching your favorite movie. Gather your friends and family for a movie night, complete with a projector, cozy seating, blankets, your and your fiancee’s favorite film, and of course, all the treats you can imagine.  

Backyard BBQ

For a laidback evening full of delicious food and fun games, host a backyard BBQ. Serve your favorite foods, from burgers to hot dogs and everything in between, before challenging everyone to a (friendly) competitive game of giant Jenga or corn hole. 

Roller Disco

If you grew up going to the roller skating rink, then you know how much fun it is. Get your groove on by rounding up your guests and hitting the rink again in a 70s-inspired roller disco party. You can also take it up a notch by hosting a costume contest. Have everyone dress up in their best retro gear, and the winner gets a prize basket full of goodies from the disco era.

Cheese + Wine

Cheese and wine tasting is the perfect way to elevate a traditional engagement party. It still involves delicious food and drinks but adds an extra level of elegance. Create a giant charcuterie table for your guests to sample, along with wines that pair beautifully with the food you choose. 

Bonfire

If you’re fortunate enough to live near the beach or the woods, host a bonfire full of drinks, games, s’mores, and campfire stories all about you and your fiancee. 

Pool Party

Get engaged at the beginning of the summer? Celebrate with a classic pool party. Stock the house with cold beverages, snacks, giant pool floats, and plenty of sunscreen. And don’t forget the feel-good playlist, too. Want to feel like you’re on a tropical vacation? Turn it into a luau with pina coladas, Hawaiian food, and tropical decor. 

Sip + Paint

The concept of sip and paint night has become wildly popular these past few years. If you and your significant other are artsy, this is the perfect celebration. Pour some wine and paint your heart away. To make it extra special, have your guests paint something for you as a keepsake for this special time of your life. 

Image by Michelle Sobel

Sunset boat ride

If you have access to a body of water–whether it be the ocean or a lake–celebrate your love with a sunset boat ride. It provides an intimate environment with your closest loved ones while offering scenery that is the epitome of romantic. 

Glamping

If you and your significant other are big outdoor lovers, why not bring your family and friends with you on a weekend-long glamping getaway? Think bonfires, s’mores, games, hiking, and kayaking. And if your guests aren’t adventurers, don’t fret. The whole point of glamping is to camp in style–aka with air conditioning and bathrooms.

Music Festival

While you could attend Coachella or Lollapalooza for your engagement party, we’re talking about creating your own music festival in your backyard or local park. Hire food trucks and local musicians or DJs to get the party started. We also strongly encourage guests to rock their best festival wear, body glitter and all.

Brewery

We know that not everyone loves wine. For those that prefer beer, host your party at a brewery. You can sip on your favorite adult beverages with your friends and family, and you don’t have to worry about the clean-up once you’re finished. That’s as stress-free as it gets.

Silent Disco

If you’re worried about bothering your neighbors but still want to enjoy some great music, a silent disco may be the perfect celebration for you. All you need is a DJ and some headphones that connect to the same signal as the DJ. Your neighbors will have no idea a full-blown party is taking place next door. 

Sports Game

Nothing brings people together quite like sports. Cheer on your favorite team and your love with a trip to a local sporting event. If you feel like splurging, rent out your own suite for the game, where you can enjoy drinks and food, or save some money by getting seats together, so you root your team on from the stands.

Karaoke

There’s nothing better than belting out your favorite tunes–no matter how pitchy you sound–in a room full of your loved ones. Whether renting a karaoke machine for your home or heading to your local karaoke bar, it’s time to start thinking about your go-to karaoke song.

Murder Mystery

In a classic case of “who done it,” you and your guests can work together to solve a hypothetical crime in a fun and spooky celebration. Countless kits online have everything you need to create the perfect storyline. This is also ideal if many of your guests don’t know one another, as it gets everyone interacting.

Costume Party

Let’s be honest, there are very few people who don’t love an excuse to throw on a costume for a night. From the roaring 20s to a masquerade ball, there are countless themes to choose from. Having a costume party also makes shopping for decorations that much easier.

Loving these engagement party ideas but not sure how to get to planning the party itself? Don’t worry! This guide tells you everything you need to know–from how to determine a guest list to sending out invitations.

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings

Minimalistic & Natural Providence Cotton Mill Wedding

October 14, 2022 | justine

A historic mill turned open-air pavilion thoughtfully adorned with delicate greenery and pared-back wooden decor—Cierra and Ehvann’s Providence Cotton Mill wedding combined industrial and rustic charm with a minimalist organic style. The pair aimed to highlight thoughtful and understated elegance, and that’s exactly what they did. 

Surrounded by green fields and a plush forest, with distressed white walls and brick, high ceilings, and exposed wooden beams, their venue was already beautiful on its own. Using the weathered door as a backdrop, all that was needed for their ceremony was an arbor accented with greenery and mahogany Hercules chairs. Meanwhile, they set a mix of round and long tables with centerpieces of sprawling greenery and white florals for the reception. 

The pair added an unexpected and personalized twist to the celebration through their wedding attire. The groom rocked a custom-designed olive suit while the bride looked flawless in a chic v-neck wedding dress with a sheer cape for a touch of drama. If modern and understated yet sophisticated and elevated sounds like your dream aesthetic, draw inspiration from these gorgeous photos captured by House of Willingham.

The Couple:

Cierra and Ehvann

The Wedding:

The Providence Cotton Mill, North Carolina, United States of America

How Their Providence Cotton Mill Wedding Came To Be

We knew we wanted a unique venue and had settled on another one, which was very pretty but not 100% what we wanted. I was scrolling Instagram one day when I came across Providence Cotton Mill and fell in love. It did seem meant to be! We just wanted to cultivate an inviting, full of love and fun atmosphere. Thankfully Providence Cotton Mill was breathtaking, so we had to add very little decor to make it beautiful. Even the weather played its part in the day, making it a perfectly sunny day. We hoped the sun would shine through the beautiful open windows so that people would fall in love with the venue as much as we did.

Why They Decided Not To Have A Wedding Party

We didn’t want our friends to worry about anything other than coming. It also felt much easier than dealing with uneven wedding parties, choosing who would be in the wedding party, determining outfits, etc. We are both so thankful and glad we chose not to have a wedding party. It was easier for everyone involved and kept us from being too stressed. Our closest friends still came early to get ready with us.

Picking Wedding Attire That Fits Their Personality

Ehvann is a fashionista and knew he wanted to show up for the wedding. He custom-designed his suit, everything from the lining, and buttons, to the fabric. Though it was pricey, we knew this was our only wedding, so we had to get what we wanted. I opted for a simple wedding dress but added drama with my bridal cape. I didn’t take it off for hours. I did feel like a bride, which was so special for me. We were both so happy with how our looks came out.

Their Providence Cotton Mill Wedding Was About Everything They Love

We wanted to make our big day a reflection of our relationship and how we envisioned the day to look. We’re proud that we worked together as a team to make our day a reality. After COVID, it meant a lot to us that all of our closest loved ones were in one room supporting our love. Our big day wouldn’t have been possible without our parents’ emotional and financial support.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – House of Willingham
Ceremony Venue – The Providence Cotton Mill
Floral Design – Charlotte Wedding Flowers
Catering – Sweet Potato Jones
Cake – Celestial Cakery
DJ – David Miller at Carolina DJ Professionals
Videography – Moving Mountains Studios
Invitation Design – Minted
Makeup Artist – The Posh Palette
Rings – Brilliant Earth + D Geller & Sons

 

Congratulations to Cierra and Ehvann on their minimalistic and natural Providence Cotton Mill wedding. And a big thank you to House of Willingham for capturing every detail that made their big day unique and unforgettable!

A minimalist wedding like this proves that less is so much more. With a sleek and clean look, there’s less distraction, allowing the focus to be on what’s important—your beautiful union. For more practical tips on creating a wedding that suits your and your partner’s style and values, be sure to check out our planning and budget guides!

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings

Elegantly Boho Mykonos Wedding

October 11, 2022 | justine

After being together for 15 years and overcoming many challenges, reality tv personality Oksana and upscale nightlife businessman Daniel wanted to celebrate this milestone by tying the knot at a romantic getaway with their nearest and dearest. And they couldn’t have chosen a more breathtaking place for the occasion. Set in a luxurious villa with jaw-dropping sea views, show-stopping pampas displays, and glamorous details, their Mykonos wedding was nothing short of spectacular. 

Overlooking the iconic whitewashed cliffside village and Aegean Sea, they had a picturesque backdrop for their ceremony and a gorgeous pampas arch framing the moment they said their “I dos.” At their poolside reception, towering feathery centerpieces and cascading fairy lights created an ultra-romantic scene as they dined and danced all night. On top of the stunning setting, the couple’s wedding fashion is a must-see. The groom kept it cool in a beige suit, and the bride looked like a goddess in her sheer asymmetrical gown accessorized with a sparkly hairpiece.

It was quite the wedding journey—from long-distance planning during a pandemic to a wardrobe emergency the day before the wedding—but with their expert team of vendors by their side, they pulled it off fabulously! If you and your partner have been dreaming of jetting off to a glamorous location with extraordinary views, then this Mykonos wedding is guaranteed to sweep you off your feet. Junebug member Cinema Pictures captured the magic that made their big day special and unforgettable, so scroll on to see the details up close. 

The Couple:

Oksana and Daniel

The Wedding:

Mykonos, Greece

The Wedding Team:

Videography – Cinema Pictures

 

Congratulations to Oksana and Daniel on their elegantly boho Mykonos wedding. And a special shoutout to Junebug member Cinema Wedding for capturing every gorgeous detail and special moment and sharing it with us. See more incredible weddings like this by checking out their profile in our directory of videographers from around the world.

If tying the knot in a beautiful faraway setting feels like the one, set those plans in motion with our planning and budget guides for expert tips and ideas to make your dream destination wedding come true. 

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings