How Much Does An Engagement Party Cost?

This post is about the cost of an engagement party.

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You just got engaged – yay!

Many couples enjoy an engagement party to celebrate with their friends and family. The cost and formality of this party – just like weddings – varies widely.

Even iIf you’re on a tight budget, you absolutely can still have an engagement party with some creative budgeting.

In this post, you’ll learn about the cost of an engagement party and how to host a budget-friendly engagement party.

What’s the average cost of an engagement party?

On average, engagement parties cost between $1,000 and $10,000. Guests don’t expect engagement parties to be super extravagant, so a budget-friendly engagement party is a great option to save more money for larger pre-wedding parties.

For parties hosted at someone’s house, you can expect them to be under $1,500. Guest lists for engagement parties tend to be small, with maybe 15-25 people. Without the expense of a venue, the cost per person can easily be between $50 and $75.

Who usually pays for the party?

Traditionally, the person responsible for the cost of the engagement party is the host, which is the bride’s parents. This is true for strictly traditional, heterosexual couples – many couples report friends, both sets of parents, or themselves paying for their engagement party.

How much should you give for an engagement party?

If you’re an engagement party guest, it’s important to come with a gift – unless specifically told otherwise.

Depending on how close you are to the couple getting married and the party’s formality, expect to give a gift between $30 and $75.

How to Budget for an Engagement Party

The key to budgeting for an engagement party is to start early. In fact, one of the first steps in engagement party planning is to set a budget and determine a date.

Once you determine your budget, which is suggested to be around $1,000 at a minimum, you can start deciding on your big-ticket purchases – venue, food and drink, and decor.

Venue

For many couples, a large expense is in their venue choice. Many venues charge between $250 and $500 for private parties of 15-25 people. On top of this, there may be food and drink minimums.

If renting a venue isn’t within your budget, many couples have an engagement party at a loved one’s house. Sometimes, this will be their own house or the house of whoever is throwing them the party. Hosting at home is free, leaving much more room for food, drink, and decor options in the budget.

Food

Once you determine what type of venue is in your budget, it’s time to decide on food. If you’re renting out space at a restaurant, they’ll guide you through their meal selection process. Generally, the more expensive it is to rent out a restaurant space, the more pricey their food is.

For those hosting an engagement party at someone’s home, you have a lot of flexibility in your food choice. You can make the food yourself, have it catered, or order a nice spread from a local restaurant. Without the expense of renting a venue, you’re able to serve more expensive food.

Whether you’re at a restaurant, someone’s home, or another type of venue, your food is where you can adjust things to fit your budget. Many engagement parties are held in the afternoon, between lunch and dinner, meaning guests aren’t expecting a full meal. This opportunity to serve heavy appetizers is an excellent option for those with especially tight budgets.

Drinks

First, it’s important to note that you, as the couple, decide whether or not to serve alcohol at your engagement party.

With most engagement parties occuring in the afternoon, guests aren’t necessarily expecting alcohol – or if they are, it’s some hard seltzers and wine – not a full bar.

Limiting the alcohol served to one or two drinks per guest and making those drinks pre-selected can significantly reduce engagement party costs.