They said ‘Yes!’ And if that isn’t reason enough for a party, we don’t know what is. If you, or someone close to you, has just gotten engaged and you’re thinking about organizing a special celebration to mark the occasion, then Zazzle is the place to be. We have an incredible selection of customizable invitations and top-quality party décor for you to choose from. We also got 18 charming & unique engagement party themes and ideas for you to peruse right here!
So, with that said, it’s time we popped the big question: are you ready to learn how you can throw the best engagement party ever? Yes? Oh, you’ve made us so, so happy!
Unique Engagement Party Themes
1. 1950s Dance Party…
At a 1950s themed engagement party, you should dress in attire from the 1950s, such as poodle skirts or letterman jackets, and participate in activities that were popular in that era, such as dancing the Twist or playing sock hop games. Engagement party guests can also expect to enjoy classic 1950s foods and drinks, such as milkshakes and burgers, and listen to music from the era, like rock and roll or doo-wop.
2. Backyard Fun Fair…
At a backyard carnival themed engagement party, guests can expect to participate in fun and festive activities such as carnival games, food stalls, and live entertainment. The guests (& the newly engaged couple!) should dress in colorful and playful attire to fully immerse themselves in the carnival atmosphere. Push your luck at the classic carnival games and indulge in some flavorful carnival treats.
3. Garden Soiree…
Set up a bohemian-style garden party with string lights, textiles with patterns, and a relaxed vibe.
4. Cocktail Party at Trendy Bar…
Perhaps the classic engagement celebration, the cocktail party is traditionally hosted by the bride’s parents at their own home. However, you can take a little pressure off Mom & Dad by holding your party at a trendy cocktail or wine bar instead. Whether you opt for casual and fun vibes, or something more formal and glamorous, everyone’s sure to have a wonderful evening! Sip, sip, hooray!
5. Masked Ball…
Plan a masked ball and ask guests to wear masks and costumes to add an air of mystery and sophistication to the event.
6. Dinner Party at Fancy Restaurant…
Just family, friends, and food: what better way is there to celebrate your engagement than with a dinner party at one of your finest local eateries? Simply set a date, book your venue, send the invites, and let the professionals at your chosen restaurant take care of the rest! Bon appétit!
7. Brunch at Cozy Cafe…
Of course, you don’t have to wait until evening to get the party started. If you like to sleep in late at the weekends but you wake up with a big appetite, an early afternoon brunch at your favorite cafe is another great engagement party idea. Get your fill of frittatas, Eggs Benedict, pancakes, and pastries—not to mention a couple of mimosas or a little bubbly—as you chat, laugh, and revel in the moment.
8. Visit to a Winery…
It’s fair to say that you’re on cloud nine right now. Next stop? Cloud wine! That’s right, a visit to a winery, perhaps taking in a tour and definitely taking in a tasting session, is the pourfect way to celebrate. If you’re not a wine lover, however, a trip to a local craft beer producer would be a brewtiful alternative.
9. Tropical Retreat…
Decorate the party with tropical themes, like palm trees, hibiscus flowers, and exotic fruits.
10. Movie Night…
This idea can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. Maybe you just gather your besties for a relaxing night in with some snacks and a classic movie. Or maybe you go a little further, using a projector and a popcorn machine to create a real theater feel. Or maybe, just maybe, you bring all the glitz and glamor of Hollywood to the occasion by laying out the red carpet and hiring a photographer to snap pictures of your guests as they arrive in their finest threads!
11. Glamorous Hollywood…
Create a Hollywood atmosphere with a red carpet, movie star decorations, and a celebrity photo booth.
12. Casino Night…
Arrange a casino-style celebration with card games and slot machines for guests to enjoy.
13. Beach bonfire…
There’s so much to love about this charming, rustic idea. The enriching sea air. The feel of warm sand ‘tween your toes. The sounds of waves crashing on the shore. The moon’s glow, supplemented by the light of your roaring bonfire, lighting the joyful faces of your loved ones. Delicious s’mores roasted over the crackling flames, just like the old days. And your true love, now your fiancé or fiancée, by your side. What a night!
14. Backyard BBQ…
Like the beach bonfire, the backyard barbecue’s charm is rooted in its wholesome family vibes. It’s also quite cost-effective, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option. While the grill master is at work, guests can play cornhole and Jumbo Fast Four, toss a frisbee, or take cute pics in your DIY photo booth. You’ll find enchanting and customizable photo booth décor on our photo backdrops page.
15. Fairytale Kingdom…
Design a fairy tale-themed celebration with castle decorations, a storybook photo booth, and a menu inspired by fairy tales.
16. Game Night…
If you’ve gotten engaged in wintertime and the weather isn’t BBQ-friendly, you can always take the food and games inside. A game night, featuring assorted board games, party games, and card games—and maybe video gaming stations, dartboards, and ping pong—is a fun way to spend an evening. You could even create a little competition between both partners’ families to really spice things up!
17. Rustic Farm Fun…
Have a rustic farm-style engagement party with hay bales, mason jars, and vintage farm decorations.
18. Potluck Dinner…
Hosting a dinner party at home involves a lot of hard work. However, if you’re planning such a soirée, you can reduce your workload by making the occasion a potluck affair, where everybody brings a dish. Aside from reducing stress—not to mention cost—potlucks help to make everybody feel involved, create a wonderful smorgasbord of variety, and stimulate conversation between guests. You and your love might even pick up a new recipe or two for future romantic evenings in!
Between now and your wedding day, there’s a lot of planning to be done, so don’t add more things to your to-do list by overcomplicating your engagement party. Try to keep it relatively simple and stress-free. We hope that we’ve helped you do just that with this list of unique engagement party themes and ideas, and that you’ll go away today feeling informed and inspired.
For more engagement and wedding advice look for the ‘Weddings’ dropdown at the top of this page. Or, if you’re looking for engagement party gift ideas, check out our most popular Wedding Gifts & Engagement Gifts for Newlyweds!
Seamus is a Content Specialist at Zazzle. He is quite happy in the role. So, if you’re following, that makes him a content Content Specialist. Seamus likes to write, read, watch sports, drink good beer/coffee, and spend time with his two beautiful kids. To say that he doesn’t like ketchup is an understatement.
