Engagement Party?

I am planning my engagement party. does anyone have any ideas for games or giveaways? it is to b held the end of july at a lake. we have a pavillion reserved and will just have a cookout w/ hamburgers hot dogs chips sausage potatoe salad etc. i want cheap and simple but nice. well have a boat and theres swimming and playareas and sand. Now I am going to provide ice water lemonade and iced tea is it wrong to tell guests if they want soda to bring their own? its just it is expensive and some ppl r hoggish about it. i will provide a cooler w/ ice for their soda but i am recommending they mark their names on it. is this cheap or wrong for me to do? also, would it b lame if i decorated the tables w/ baskets w/ fresh cut wild flowers and deep candle holders w/ tea candles (so they wont blow out for when it gets close evening). what do u think about have 50/50's or chinese auctions. we just 2wnat to have a fun time. open to all suggestions! thnks!

Engagement Party?
Yeah, I wouldn't spend all kinds of money either. Mine was in a Chinese restaraunt that allowed outside drinks and we told everyone BYOB. I would put BYOB on the invite, but not specifically soda. I would tell your closest friends to spread the word that there won't be any soda.

You'll have plenty more places/things to spend your money on.
Reply:An engagement party is just to be a simple party for the families to meet each other, the wedding party, and close friends. You don't need to have games and giveaways - people will just spend time talking.

Whoever is throwing the party for you and your guy will handle all the drinks - so you don't have to worry about all of that. They will be "hosting", so people don't have to bring food or drink.
Reply:I think that as far as drinks go, what you have decided on is what it is. It might look bad to ask people to bring their own soda on the invitations. Lemonade, water and ice tea are all good things for a cook out. Maybe you can spread it word-of-mouth if you are really concerned.



I think the table idea is really cute!! Another idea may be to use sand, sea shells and tea lights-since it'll be a cook out type theme. :)



games are always fun!!! Anything you come up with i'm sure will be fun.
Reply:Also, most people don't know what an engagement party really is. An engagement party is supposed to be the affair when your engagement is announced to your friends and family (except for your immediate family who should already know). Most people have started using an engagement party as an excuse for gifts since everyone invited already knows, which is just tacky. You don't have an engagement party if everyone already know your engaged. That said, traditionally the bride's parents host and pay for an engagement party. The bride's mother sends out invites to a dinner party or barbeque or luncheon, whatever type of party it's going to be. The bride's father announces the engagement at some point during the beginning of the party. You do not invite people to a party and then ask them to bring their own drinks, it's tacky.
Reply:You re going way over the top.



Fisrt of all, it's quite pretentious of your part to throw an engagement party for yourself and expect people to bring their own drinks.



An engagement party is a rather intimate and subdued affair where the families meet each other and you introduce the bridal party. This simple affair is traditionally held at your inlaw's residence or at your own residence. The party that you describe seems to me like a huge convention... that's what the reception is for...for the centerpieces, flowers and tea candles. ..etc.



This is just too much...and this is not even your wedding.



Relax, this is just too much and extremely pretentious if you ask me. You want tea candles and centerpieces but don't want to buy soda? You are concern about people being "hoggish" by drinking soda at your expense on a hot day??? Hmmm



Good luck
Reply:i think all of your ideas sound great. maybe in your invitations you can print out little menus that fit the theme of your picnic. on the menu state that iced tea, lemonade, water will be offered and if anyone else has different things they want to bring (whatever it is) coolers will be provided.



i think a 50/50 and a chinese auction are good ideas too. but maybe you could incorporate some kind of a game that has to do with you and your fiance. like a quiz to see who knows you best and you could offer prizes for that as well.



good luck
Reply:I definately don't think it's wrong to tell people to bring there own sodas...Tell them what you are going to have %26amp; let them know "We aren't going to have any sodas, so if you want soda, you will have to bring your own." There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that.



Also, try looking at flea markets %26amp; consignment shops for lanterns to use rather than candles...These won't blow out.Or take several tall drinking glasses %26amp; put a tea light down inside the glass...



Make a list of questions for both sides of the family to see who knows the opposite the best...Have small favour bags for each winner. It doesn't have to be anything expensive. Get small .50 frames from wal-mart %26amp; have a picture of you two in the frame, body spray for men %26amp; women from wal-mart (.97 each), Check for little corky party favors in the party isle at wal mart as well. There are so many things you could do for really cheap.

Good luck %26amp; God bless you two in your upcoming marriage