50 Best Engagement Party Ideas of 2024

Planning an engagement party is one of the first steps you and your partner will take to celebrate your love and commitment to each other. It's the perfect opportunity to gather your closest friends and family, toast to your future, and, of course, have a whole lot of fun.

With so many engagement party ideas out there, it can be overwhelming to decide on the perfect theme for your celebration. Whether you're into rustic charm, elegant soirées, or something unique, we've got you covered. We've rounded up a list of engagement party ideas to help you set the stage for a night to remember. Grab your partner, start scrolling, and be inspired!

Top 50 unforgettable engagement party ideas

Outdoor engagement party ideas

Whether you are having a long or short engagement, there’s nothing like a beautiful outdoor engagement celebration with your closest family and friends. Take your party to the beach, or opt for one of our backyard engagement party ideas. Soak up the sun and celebrate with your loved ones with the help of any theme below.

1. Incorporate elegant roses: Roses aren’t just for Valentine’s Day. A rose-themed engagement party is a fantastic idea for couples who want to infuse their celebration with romance and elegance. Throw a rose-themed party with your favorite-colored roses and incorporate touches of rose gold to complete this elegant feel. Consider rose-inspired cocktails and rose petal decor, or maybe even encourage guests to wear rose colors.

2. Get Competitive With Beach Games: For couples who love the laid-back, sun-soaked vibes of the shore, have a casual engagement party with a beach cookout. Toss volleyballs, feast on your favorite hamburgers, and laugh about all of your favorite memories as a couple. For decorations, think seashell centerpieces, beach blankets, and tiki torches.

3. Create your own Japanese garden: Creating a Japanese garden is an excellent idea for couples who appreciate the serenity and beauty of Japanese culture. Begin with tea and then transition to your sushi main dish at your brightly colored garden party. For decor, add paper lanterns, cherry blossoms, or shades of jade.

4. Let the leaves fall: This is the perfect choice for nature-loving couples who want to celebrate their engagement in the breathtaking beauty of autumn. Recreate a heartwarming fall engagement party with rustic reds, greens, and yellows, plus golden silverware and simply decorated centerpieces. These natural engagement party decoration ideas will make for a unique and memorable occasion.

5. Re-create a tropical summer: This one’s for the couples dreaming of a tropical wedding destination! Decorate the venue with palm leaves, white minimalist chairs, and simple tables, then hang light pink streamers for a luscious tropical summer party. If you’ll be spending your wedding day in a tropical destination, this is a great way to get your engagement party guests excited. Make sure to capture the memory with summer engagement photos!

6. Have a backyard bonfire: It’s perfect for outdoorsy couples who adore the cozy ambiance of a crackling fire! Light some matches and snuggle up in blankets to celebrate your love over s’mores, backyard games, and traditional bonfire tunes.

7. Celebrate in a winter wonderland: If you got engaged during the winter months, enjoy sipping a hot cocoa cocktail with warm blankets up in the mountains for a heartwarming holiday party. Cover your venue in snowy white decorations and twinkling fairy lights to create a whimsical atmosphere. Add fabrics with plaid and gingham for a mountain cabin vibe.

8. Throw a luau: Bring the spirit of the tropics for a fun and laid-back celebration. Serve traditional Hawaiian egg rolls, pineapple pastries, and kabobs while wearing Hawaiian attire and flowers in your hair. Decorate with bright, fresh flowers and tropical elements to make your party feel like you’re on the beaches of Hawaii.

9. Have a classic picnic: Host a traditional plaid picnic party in your backyard or local park. Pack your favorite pastries, popsicles, or sandwiches in celebration of this new milestone. Prepare a selection of lawn engagement party game ideas like bocce or frisbee to create that classic picnic atmosphere.

10. Make your own secret garden: Decorate your backyard garden for a celebratory cocktail party complete with light green streamers, white balloons, and even mini gold vases for a whimsical engagement get-together. Your menu can feature botanical-inspired cocktails and elegant finger foods that capture the enchantment of your love story.

11. Add a rustic appeal: Do you and your partner share a love of the countryside? Deck your venue out with wooden engagement decorations, mason jar centerpieces, and a down-to-earth ambiance. Get a wheelbarrow and picnic table, then crack open some beers to celebrate the next big step in your relationship with your loved ones.

12. Host a farm to table feast: This one is for food-loving couples who appreciate fresh, locally sourced ingredients, rustic decor, long wooden communal tables, and a menu that savors the flavors of the season. Pick out all of your favorite local food products for your engagement party and create your own farm-to-table celebration. Serve food on wooden crates in your backyard with festive product labels pointing out both your favorite picks. Pack a dessert table with your favorite sweet treats. If you and your fiancé share an affinity for vino, incorporate an informal wine tasting into the festivities.

13. Enjoy a BBQ If you adore the idea of a relaxed, sun-soaked celebration spent mingling with loved ones, keep reading. Decorate with picnic-style tables, gingham tablecloths, and mason jar centerpieces filled with wildflowers, and serve up a delectable spread of barbecue classics like smoky ribs and grilled veggies.

14. Cool Off at a Pool Party Make a splash with your cool, refreshing engagement party. Ideal for those who love a refreshing dip, you can decorate the poolside with colorful inflatables, tropical plants, and lounge chairs. Serve fresh fruit platters, pastries, and cocktails to energize and entertain your guests.

Engagement party ideas full of glitz and glam

Make your party personal and unique with all your favorite things—whether that includes bright watercolor fun or rooftop rosé with your closest friends and family.

15. Ring In the New Year Can you think of a better theme for couples who love a touch of glamour and want to celebrate their love in style? Celebrate your engagement at a formal party while watching fireworks and munching on appetizers with your loved ones surrounding you. Toast to the New Year and your new engagement. Gold and silver accents will complement the fizzy beverages.

16. Track Back to the 1920s Obsessed with the glamour and nostalgia of the Roaring Twenties? Throw a Gatsby-themed party with suits, jazz blaring on the stereo, and layered pearl necklaces on your tables for decoration. Fill the event space with art deco decorations, offer vintage cocktails, and design a menu with classic dishes of the era.

17. Host a White Party Calling all couples looking for a chic, sophisticated engagement party theme! Craft a menu with a range of dishes in white hues, add white lace touches to your decorations, and have all your guests wear white to your event to show their love for the newly engaged couple.

18. Create your own Broadway bliss: Infuse your celebration with the magic of the stage! Coordinate karaoke or impromptu performances to set the stage for a night of entertainment and drama. Compile your favorite tunes and add touches of velvet in a dimly lit venue for an intimate theater engagement party experience.

19. Be Parisian Bring the irresistible romance and chic vibes straight from Paris, the City of Love, to your party. This is the towering peak (get it?) of all romantic engagement party ideas! Choose French-inspired decor, a menu of delectable pastries, cheeses, and wine, and charming cafe background music. Have guests sign locks to hang on a wall and toast to love with macarons and champagne.

20. Become famous with a costume party This entertaining and creative engagement party theme is perfect for fun-loving couples who enjoy dressing up and want to create a memorable, lively atmosphere. If you have a favorite movie, genre, or book, throw your own costume party! Pick out your favorite celebrities and have fun getting into character with your guests.

21. Have a pink flamingo party Embrace your playful side with tropical-inspired treats and fruity cocktails! Brighten your party up with pink accents and decorative paper flowers for your flamingo-themed celebration. Blow up a giant flamingo floaty for the perfect backdrop to take Polaroid pictures. Take it one step further and prepare pink party favors!

22. Roll out the red carpet Want to feel like A-list celebrities on your special day? Make your guests feel like stars by hosting a party full of Old Hollywood glamour with this glitzy party theme. Have a red carpet, flashing lights, and music blasting while guests make their way down the aisle.

23. Provide a glamorous menu If you and your significant other appreciate the finer things in life, shine the spotlight on a decadent meal. Curate a sophisticated menu of gourmet dishes, fine wines, and artisanal cocktails, offering an elegant dining experience and exceptional cuisine.

24. Have an enchanting party Showcase your fairy-tale-like romance with personal touches, dreamy decorations, whimsical charcuterie boards, and delicate desserts. Decorate your engagement party with deep blues and purples with gold accents and a tiered cake. To top off your engagement party attire, wear gold headpieces to walk around like royalty.

25. Host a dessert party If you have a sweet tooth, create your own dessert decor with your favorite guilty pleasures all on one table. Serve wine, coffee, or tea for everyone to indulge in. Offer recipes as party favors or ask guests to bring their favorite dessert recipes to share with the love birds.

26. Celebrate with rosé all day Are you partial to rosé wine? Decorate in pink and white decorations and serve a menu with light, wine-paired dishes like charcuterie and seafood. Rent out your favorite rooftop bar to celebrate with a view. Toast to your engagement over rosé and city lights.

Morning engagement party ideas to toast to your new life

Have you thought about toasting to your new adventures over an engagement party brunch? After all, breakfast may just take the top spot as everyone’s favorite meal. Consider celebrating your love with a donut party or a mimosa bar.

27. Make a mimosa bar Looking for a bubbly and interactive engagement party idea? Buy your favorite fruit, juice, and champagne to toast your journey as a newly engaged couple. Set up a full bar for your guests to create their ideal mimosa. Provide a few suggested combinations as inspiration for your mixology guests.

28. Jazz brunch Do you and your partner love the timeless allure of jazz music? Eat your classic go-to breakfast dishes at your own French Quarter Courtyard. From scrambled eggs to French toast and egg casserole, cheers to your new journey together over morning champagne and fresh beignets.

29. Have a morning fiesta Embody your lively, spirited relationship with an energetic, Mexican-inspired party. Enjoy breakfast burritos with guacamole and a tall glass of orange juice on tables decorated with cacti and bright pink for a proper morning fiesta celebration.

30. Bring out the sunshine This cheerful and radiant engagement party theme was made for couples who adore warm, sunny things. Add lemons to clear vases for your table centerpieces, and create your own full coffee bar for the perfect wake-up call. Incorporate bright yellows throughout your venue for a morning sunshine feel.

31. Show your love for blooms Show your love for the natural beauty of flowers with a romantic and fragrant atmosphere. Have a sunrise breakfast celebration by decorating your venue with flower petals scattered on each table, bright-colored peony centerpieces, and mini breakfast sandwiches and pastries.

32. Create a donut wall Got a serious sweet tooth? Set up a sweet surprise with a donut wall and glasses of milk to dip them in. Make your own pegboard wall filled with your favorite donut flavors for all your guests to test out. This is a good option for a drop-in party because it allows guests to come and go and serve themselves a sweet treat.

33. Join the breakfast club Is 80s pop culture a huge part of your personality? Celebrate your love with a retro-themed party, complete with boomboxes and Polaroid cameras. Have your guests dress as they would in the ‘80s in remembrance of the classic 1985 “Breakfast Club.” Share breakfast appetizers like egg bites, coffee, and bagels.

34. Host a spring tea party Demonstrate your grace and refinement with a classic tea gathering! Fill vases with brightly colored flowers, fill plates with light snacks, and serve pots of tea. Have various morning pastries like banana bread and muffins to pair with your tea. Ask guests to wear a "fancy hat" for an extra touch of fun.

35. Have your own bake-off Let your competitive side shine through! Create an interactive and sweet experience by having your guests bring their favorite baked items to compete for the best-baked masterpiece at your engagement party. Have a prize table of gift cards and wedding ring cookies for the winners.

36. Throw a pancake pajama party Make room for your lighthearted personalities to shine with a relaxed celebration. Have your guests show up in their favorite PJs to get the pancake party started. Have a variety of pancake toppers from fruit, granola, syrup, and edible roses to eat while enjoying the morning. Decorate with the comics and crossword sections of the newspaper to cultivate a "Sunday breakfast around the table" sort of feel.

Get creative with these engagement party themes

Get creative and let your playful spirit out to celebrate. Whether you’re a superhero geek, wannabe detective, or art lover, these creative engagement party ideas are just for you! Incorporate all of your favorite things into your engagement party for a night you’ll never forget.

37. Have a movie night This one is for film buffs: rent or buy a projector to have a movie night with all your loved ones. Stockpile all your favorite rom-coms or love stories to bring out the laughter. Lots of throw pillows, blankets, and popcorn will set the mood.

38. Design a scavenger hunt What better way to start your biggest adventure than with an exciting, interactive engagement party? Think of all your relationship milestones and put your loved ones to the test with clues. Break up into groups and send them on a scavenger hunt to see who knows you best. Reward your guests with nostalgic childhood treats like sno-cones or cotton candy when they're done hunting.

39. Go modern gothic Showcase your moody and edgy aesthetics with a gothic-inspired event. Incorporate dark tones into your engagement party with taper candles, black roses, and even a couple of skulls for spooky touches. The engagement party outfit ideas for this theme are limitless! Carry the theme into your cocktails and food options, like offering blood red Campari-filled beverages and dark chocolate truffles.

40. Be the superhero Bring out your inner superheroes and celebrate your powerful love! Come to the rescue by incorporating your favorite desserts, photo booth superhero props, and capes to mimic your playful spirits as a newly engaged couple.

41. Become the Mad Hatter Would you like to transport your guests to a world of enchantment and wonder? Play up your tea party with Wonderland essentials. Wear the classic Mad Hatter hat, sip tea, and brighten your party up with paper flowers. This is a great theme for a photo booth, complete with a white rabbit, bottles that say "Drink me," and croquet mallets.

42. Create your own taco bar This yummy theme is perfect for couples that want a vibrant social atmosphere paired with delicious food. Display a variety of salsas, guacamole, beans, meats, and tortilla shells for your guests to make their own tacos. Have a full margarita and paloma table to quench your thirst. Don't feel like handling the food? Hire a taco truck to do the catering and enjoy the casual street taco vibes.

43. Gamble the night away You may have already hit the jackpot, but your guests will want to win big at your party! Have your loved ones gamble with play money to see who will win a prize by the end of the night. Be prepared with poker, roulette, and blackjack tables to guarantee an electrifying and entertaining atmosphere. Decorate with bright Vegas colors, playing cards, and poker chips.

44. Have fun with laser tag Bring out your competitive side and play laser tag. You’ll get to see which one of your friends is the most competitive and the best shot. The party will be complete with futuristic decorations, glow sticks, and snack bar foods like soft pretzels, nachos, and pizza.

45. A touch of history Passionate about art, culture, and history? Rent out a local museum and hire guides to give your guests a tour of your favorite exhibits. Have appetizers and cocktails and a designated seating area for guests to relax.

46. Host a murder mystery If Halloween and scary movies are a couple of your favorite things, consider hosting a murder mystery party. Break out the extravagant characters and storylines and assign roles in your engagement party invitations—may the best man win! This event requires a bit of forethought and planning, but you'll also need an emcee to keep the party moving. Consider asking a friend to emcee so you and your partner in crime can enjoy the evening!

47. Go to an arcade Take a break and act like a kid again. This one’s for couples who are into retro games and want to create a lighthearted and playful atmosphere! Rent out an arcade or bring the arcade to you by incorporating games you loved as a kid. Fire up the old Nintendo or start a Ms. Pac-man tournament. Whoever wins may just get a ring (cookie).

48. Host a homecoming party Perfect for couples who want to relive their school days! Rent out a school gym, serve your favorite foods inspired by the cafeteria, and recreate your high school dream of being homecoming king or queen as you dance the night away. The music playlist is the key to setting the atmosphere. Choose your favorite hits from senior year to blast through the speakers.

49. Have a cocktail tasting Do you and your partner share a love of mixology? Skip the bars and high-end restaurants (and their price tags) by hosting an at-home cocktail tasting. Buy the essentials, prepare the essentials for a few good drink recipes, and encourage guests to bring their own. You can even hire a mixologist to come make top-shelf drinks. For decor, consider using empty liquor bottles as flower vases. Unused cocktail glasses make great floating candle holders, too.

50. Host a mini-Olympics Big sports fans? Schedule a day full of fun competitions for your guests. These can be anything from real sports—such as basketball, football, soccer, etc.—to board games or games entirely made up just for the occasion. Divide guests into teams and see who comes out on top. Bonus points if you award (fake) gold metals, hold opening and closing ceremonies, and offer energizing snacks!

How to plan an engagement party

Let’s talk planning. While selecting an engagement celebration theme can be crucial, there are plenty of other steps that also require your time, attention, and effort. In short, the steps include:

• Deciding on a host. This individual or couple typically plans and pays for the party.
• Deciding on a date. If the engaged couple isn’t hosting, consult with them and other important guests on which date will work best.
• Compile a guest list. Likewise, work with the engaged couple to create this if they, themselves, aren’t planning and hosting.
• Decide on a theme. Your theme will aid you in choosing a venue, building a menu, and creating a schedule, if need be. If you’d like one, choose it now to ease the rest of the planning process.
• Research and book a venue. Make sure this aligns with the kind of celebration the couple wants to have. Also, ensure that potential engagement party venues can accommodate your entire guest list. Consider a simple engagement party at home if a venue isn’t in the budget.
• Create an online registry. While engagement party gifts aren’t typically expected, many guests may want to give one. Use Zola to create a gift registry and take the guesswork out of gifting.
• Send out invitations. For larger groups, formal paper engagement party invitations are typically recommended. However, smaller groups can be invited via email, Facebook event, text message, etc.
• Decide on a menu. Consult with your venue (if it’s a restaurant or similar) or caterer to create a food and drink menu.
• Purchase engagement décor and stock up on partyware. Some themes and venues won’t require much embellishing. If yours does, DIY or gather any preferred decor and party supplies. Now’s also the time to compile any playlists you’ll want to have on.

Engagement party FAQs

With the planning process and themes down, you might still find yourself with a few lingering questions. Luckily, we’re here to provide you with answers.

Who throws the engagement party? Traditionally, the parents of the bride will plan, throw and pay for the engagement party. However, it can be done by any loved one—or, as more modern couples are deciding, the couple themselves. Check out our Guide to Engagement Party Etiquette for more details.

Who do you invite to an engagement party? It’s engagement party etiquette that everyone who’s invited to the engagement party is also invited to the wedding. This includes close family members and best friends of the couple. That being said, some couples may choose to celebrate with different groups at different times, thus having multiple engagement parties (e.g. after-work drinks with work friends and dinner with family). This is completely fine, too.

What do you do at an engagement party? Engagement parties are meant to celebrate an engaged couple. How you do that should reflect something they enjoy, be it party games, trivia, or an all-out soirée. Ensure guests will have a good time by providing food and perhaps something entertaining, like games, live music, or a movie viewing.

Getting engaged is a milestone worth celebrating! Your close friends and family are able to come together for this special occasion, and you get to kick off this new adventure of wedding planning.

Ready to start planning the main event?

Start your wedding planning journey by mapping out your budget, finding a venue, and sending save the dates. Check out Zola’s free suite of wedding planning tools that help make the entire planning process a breeze. We’re with you all the days along the way!