5 Fun Pre-wedding Events to Organize

Getting engaged is probably one of the most exciting times in your life. And while you’ll probably be swooning over that sparkly new ring for awhile, the stress of knowing how hard planning the wedding will be will soon hit. But, before it does…let’s talk about some pre-wedding events.

Because we’re here to keep it real, planning a wedding is a lot of work. So, let’s have some fun first with your pre-wedding events starting with the engagement party!

Pre-Wedding Events For An Epic Wedding Experience

Engagement Party

The first time you announce the joyous news to your friends and family – the engagement party! Some would even say that the engagement doesn’t count if you don’t throw a party to let everyone know.

Here are a few things you need to keep in mind if you’re going to throw an engagement party.

Don’t Wait Too Long

Don’t Be Afraid To Hire A Wedding Planner

If you want the engagement party to match the wedding, hiring the same wedding planner is a safe bet. This is also true if you plan on inviting a lot of people.

Invitations Are Optional

You can go all out and send official, customized invitations, but the current engagement party etiquette doesn’t require them.

2023 Hottest Wedding Trends - Pre-Wedding Events

Budget Control – Combine Events

For example, you can host your engagement party on New Year’s – talk about multitasking.

Introduce Parents Beforehand

The last thing you want at your party is the in-laws sizing each other up and creating an unpleasant atmosphere. Have a separate meeting, then have the party.

Bachelor Party

The last night out with the boys as a ‘free’ man! There are a lot of guys out there that put a lot of emphasis and meaning to this event. The ladies simply have to brave this one out and ensure that things don’t go out of hand from a safe distance.

Here are a few tips for throwing the perfect bachelor party,

The Best Man Is The Host

Traditionally, all of the organizational aspects of the bachelor party are the best man’s responsibility. It’s he who has to invite the groomsmen, pick the location and activities, and make sure that the night goes smoothly.
That being said, there is no law against the groom organizing his own bachelor party.

Timeline: 1 – 3 Months Before Wedding

It’s usually best if the bachelor party happens a month or so before the wedding. If you can plan it out so that the bachelor and bachelorette party happens at the same time, this adds another layer of symbolism to the festivities.
This date is for the party itself, of course. The planning needs to be done three to six months in advance to make sure everyone invited can save the date.

The Groom Approves The Guest List

The best man should plan the night out, but the groom should approve the final guest list. After all, it’s his party. It would be a great shame if someone important to him wasn’t invited simply because of an oversight by the best man.

No Need For A Formal Invitation

A simple group chat will suffice. The bachelor party group chat can stick around for a while after the wedding because the guy’s in the chat are usually good friends.

Split The Cost

The attendees usually split the costs of the party. Again, no law against the groom or best man paying out of pocket for the whole shebang.

Bachelorette Party

This is a staple of any pre-wedding routine. A bachelorette party is a must have. The last blowout for a ‘free’ woman, it’s the final opportunity for the wife to be to completely let loose with her best and closest friends.

Here are a few tips and classy bachelorette party ideas to try out.

The Bride Is The Focal Point

Make sure the bride is satisfied and agrees with everything that’s going on – from the guest list to the location and the activities planned.

Is she a party animal looking for one last real blow out? Organize bottle service in a nightclub. Does she like to be pampered? A spa day is the perfect setting.

Just make sure you don’t overschedule and make a day that’s 50% commute.

Be careful of the expenses

Bachelorette parties are usually financed by the attendees. So, if you’re the maid of honor, make sure that the day fits everyone’s budget. It’s an easy way to create bad blood before the wedding, if you jump over somebody’s spending capabilities.

Schedule the payment method in advance – is the host going to prepay and then get reimbursed? Does everyone need to carry cash? Who’ll pay for the bride’s share? These are all questions that need to be addressed beforehand.

And remember, don’t take it personally if one of the guests says they can’t handle it financially.

Get social media clearance

Before everyone goes crazy snapping during the appetizers, make sure the bride is okay with it. Maybe she would like the posts to happen post factum, or would she like to have the final editing privileges?

What goes on the internet stays on the internet and everybody needs to be acutely aware of that. Make sure that the posting rules are set beforehand.

Include the groom to be

It’s become custom nowadays to include the fiance in the bachelorette party – just a short video message can do the trick.

Bachelorette parties can have a negative connotation of being the ‘last night as a free lady’ as if that’s a bad thing. Including the groom in the process can remind the bride why she is getting married in the first place.

Ceremony Rehearsal

This is more of a technical preparation than a fun event, but a ceremony rehearsal is something that a lot of about-to-be married couples go through.

It’s a run through of the entire thing from start to finish to ensure that everything goes smoothly and everyone ‘knows their lines.’ This is especially useful for weddings with plenty of guests and an intricate itinerary.

Every key member of the ceremony should be present, from the officiary to the groomsmen. A wedding rehearsal is a great way to diminish the anxiety of the day itself. Once you know how things are going to unfold firsthand, it’s much easier to relax and enjoy your special day.

Welcome Party

A wedding welcome party is a gathering usually held the night before the ceremony, right after the rehearsal dinner. A welcome party is a great way to warm up for the big day and get everyone involved in a celebratory mood.

The welcome party doesn’t have to be extravagant – a simple dinner with a proper toast in an intimate atmosphere can suffice. Remember to make everyone feel appreciated and let them know you’re thankful for them sharing so much of your special day with you.

Seeing as though traditionally, the bride’s family funds the wedding, the welcome party should be financed by the groom’s family. Of course, none of these traditions are ‘set in stone’, especially nowadays.

Conclusion

Planning a wedding is a lot of stress, especially when you account for the pre-wedding events. Just remember that this is supposed to be the most joyous occasion of your life and don’t stress too much!