The Proposal. The Ring. The Party?

Your ring is sparkling and the word is out. You’re engaged and everyone wants to know one thing: When is the ceremony? While you may have to get back with them on the exact date of the Big Day, there’s another special day for you and your main squeeze to consider as you make plans – the engagement party.

Not every couple decides to host one, but engagement parties are a fun option for duos looking to celebrate before saying “I do.” While it’s a fantastic way for the bride and groom’s families to meet and spend time together before the wedding, engagement gatherings are a great way to build excitement and give a sneak peak to your wedding day too.

So if you see an engagement party in your future, how will you celebrate? Do you want to party like a rock star or host an elegant, low-key dinner with friends and family? Party planning guru Jes Gordon says before you starting touring venues and scanning the shelves for the cutest invitations you have to ask yourself one question: Why do I want to do this? "Parties take time and effort – not just for you but for your guests too,” Jes wrote in her book, Party Like a Rock Star. “Good reasons for getting together will not only make it worth your time but your guests’ time as well.”

Even before asking “Why?” Distinct Event Planning advises brides and grooms to consider “How?” It’s so easy for wedding budgets to turn into runaway budgets, when couples don’t map out all of their expected expenses or when excitement pulls them away from the financial game plan they created.

If you crunch the numbers and find that your engagement party is a-go, consult with a party planner to help turn your ideas into reality and maximize your money. It’s easy to image amazing color schemes, music, and the perfect food and venue, but pulling all the pieces together and assessing your options is better left to the experts, especially if you plan to host a large or extravagant gathering. 

Work with your planner to come up with a party concept based on your style as a couple – whether it’s “red carpet fabulous,” or “backyard casual.” Then select a venue, menu, music, decorations and the other details to make your day shine.

Planning the event yourself is also always an option too. Before you begin just be sure to map out all you need to do and when it needs to be done, down to the smallest detail. Ask knowledgeable friends to review your to-do list to make sure you’re not leaving anything out. Then consider your other time commitments and who’s actually going to roll up their sleeves with you. Party planning done right is serious business so choose wisely!

No matter what you decide, an engagement party is a fabulous event to look forward to! 

  Happy Planning!

It’s Here! Engagement Season Now What?

Christmas and Valentine gifts weren’t the only things flying off the shelves this season. Between now and early spring, thousands of grooms-to-be will be scanning jewelry counters for the perfect ring. If your ring finger has a little bling headed its way, it’s time to share your ideas for an ideal engagement with your honey.

Being able to express your ideas to your mate is the cornerstone of any great relationship, right? So why not get some practice in as engagement season unfolds.

Don’t have the ring yet and unsure of what you want? Try visiting the websites of popular jewelry retailers with your fella first. Stores like Kay Jewelers, the Diamond Cellar & Zales each have hundreds of rings to view online and the sites allow you to narrow your search based on cut, metal and price. Looking online before heading into a physical store offers a pressure-free way to window shop for the perfect piece. No waiting in line at a busy jewelry counter or high-pressure sales await you when you do a little virtual viewing from home. Plus, you can carefully compare each store’s policies on returns, repairs and other services in peace. You might even discover “online-only” deals that clerks may honor in-store.

Once you have a good idea of what you want, talk openly with your honey about your wedding budget and how the ring fits into the “bottom line” of your big day. Be sensitive to what he can afford and respect the boundaries of your overall budget. Keep in mind most stores offer deals on ring upgrades. Your dream ring may not fit into the budget now but stores offer great exchange programs to customers looking to upgrade to bigger and better pieces later on.

After talking over those serious budgeting goals, head to the store for a little playtime. Nothing gives you peace of mind like trying things on before you buy. It’s best to find out firsthand, if your online pick really compliments your personality and if the design is practical for your lifestyle. Trying rings on and talking with a professional about the pros and cons of each piece lets you do that.

Find your Favorites, discuss your Finances, and see if it Fits – ring hunting never looked so easy. Happy shopping!! 

Welcome to Distinct Event Planning’s first ever blog!

To stay up to date, bookmark this page or better yet subscribe to our posts to automatically receive our latest posts. Click on the “Posts” link to the right to add us to your Posts list in a matter of seconds.

We hope you’re as excited as we are about our gorgeous new website and the debut of our new blog!

While the website introduces you to our services, and lets you explore beautiful images and rave reviews from our customers, our blog is all about your inspiration!

In our weekly posts, we’ll be sharing everything from innovative party planning ideas, to strategies on how to communicate your ideas and manage your event budget; plus plenty of multimedia to keep your creative wheels turning as you imagine your dream events.

Before we head into spring, we’ll be blogging about Engagement Season – that special time of year between Thanksgiving and early spring when thousands of grooms-to-be pop the big question and couples begin engagement and wedding planning.

Over the next few weeks, discover your engagement party style. Whether you want to party like a rock star or host a low-key dinner with friends and family, how will you celebrate your engagement? And what about engagement photos? Most couples want the big day captured on film, but do you want a professional to capture those special moments before you say “I do”? We’ll weigh the pros and cons of purchasing engagement photos, help you find a photographer, negotiate deals and find the perfect location.

Our ideas are flowing, but we need to hear from you! So post your comments and questions often. Spark someone else’s next big idea or find your connection to a vital resource. Answers are only a comment or a question away when we all join the conversation!

Thanks for visiting!

Love in planning,

Lucretia