Help! I just got engaged and my fiance and I are planning a long engagement of about 2 or 2 and 1/2 years. How and what is the timeframe for announcing our engagement and planning engagement parties and bridal showers?
An engagement can be of any length of time and can be announced as soon as you become engaged or if it is to be a long engagement (as it is with you), you may wait until a year before you plan to be married. Parents and any children either of you have should be notified as soon as possible.
Your engagement party could be held as soon as you wish to release the news to the public. Traditionally, this was a surprise party for the guests. They would be informed of the engagement by the father of the bride during the party. Anyone can host the party, but the parents of the bride should have the opportunity to host the first one.
This is not a gift giving occasion. Some may wish to give you a gift however, so you may wish to register before the party. Please do not include information about your registry on invitations.
Bridal showers should be held after (significantly after) the engagement parties, but at least two weeks before the wedding. It would be best for your honor attendant, bridesmaid, or friend to wait until you are much closer to your wedding date before scheduling showers. So much can happen in 2 1/2 years. Typically, these are held a couple of months before the wedding.
Engagement
