September 2023 - Bridebook

How to Secretly Measure Your Partner’s Ring Finger

If you’ve recently made the decision that you’re ready to propose to your partner, there will probably be a million questions zipping around inside your mind. When is the best time to propose? How do you propose? Will you get down on one knee? What type of ring should you propose with?

Another question you’ll no doubt have is how do you find out the size of your partner’s ring finger without them figuring out that you’re going to propose? It’s unlikely that your sleight of hand skills rival that of a magician, so how are you supposed to find out the right ring size without giving the whole game away?

Well, thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can craftily and covertly discover the size of your partner’s ring finger while making sure they’re none the wiser.

In this guide, we’ll run down the ways you can use your wit and creativity to find out the right size to choose. That way, you can plan the perfect proposal without worrying about whether or not it’ll be a surprise or the ring will slip right off their finger!

Do you need to be secretive when planning a proposal?

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Many people like to be as secretive as possible when planning their proposal to make sure their partner is shocked, surprised and delighted when they get down on one knee to ask them one of the biggest questions of their lives.

But, whether you choose to do this or not depends entirely on you and your future fiance. When the time comes for you to propose, you’ve probably had marriage- and proposal-related conversations, so you’ll know a thing or two about what your partner would like. If they’ve expressed how they’d like a proposal to be a surprise, then you might want to do everything you can to keep it all on the down low – and that starts by secretly finding out the size of their ring finger.

But, it may also depend on your budget and the time you have before your planned proposal. If you have time, you can afford to play the long game. If you only have a couple of weeks, you might not have the time to be as low-key as you’d like.

Is it hard to work out the size of your partner’s ring finger?

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With a little patience and creativity, it’s completely possible to find out your partner’s ring finger without making them gasp with excitement every time you bend down to tie your shoe.

If you’ve talked a lot about getting engaged recently, then you’re suddenly asking them about their ring size, they might start to wonder. If time’s on your side, you can find out their ring finger and then give it a few months before proposing, which should be enough time for them to have pushed those conversations to the back of their mind.

Do you need to find out your partner’s ring size to propose?

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No, if you can’t find out your partner’s exact ring size before you propose, it’s not the end of the world. But, if you can, you’ll want to do what you can to make sure it fits. After you’ve got down on one knee and your partner has said ‘Yes!’ one of the first things high on your list of things to do after your engagement is tell your friends and family. To do that, your new fiance will no doubt want to flash their new ring around like it’s going out of fashion (it won’t of course), which they can only do if it fits nicely.

But don’t worry, if it doesn’t fit perfectly you can take the ring to a jewellers to be resized. Some jewellers even include this as a perk when you buy an engagement ring from them. But, it might take a few weeks before you get it back unless you pay a premium.

Is it better to propose with a ring that’s too small or too big?

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If you really are struggling to nail down your partner’s ring size, it’s best to go slightly larger than slightly smaller. Because, just imagine if you get down on one knee, ask ‘Will you marry me?’ then you slip the ring on their finger and it won’t go past their first knuckle. Devastating.

If a ring is slightly too big, it will at least go on their finger at the all-important moment. Your fiance can then wear a ring stopper or adjuster to make sure it doesn’t slip off their finger and get lost (but, it is worth insuring an engagement ring just in case).

Then, once you’ve shared the news about your engagement with your loved ones (and taken those all-important engagement photos for social media) you can have your partner’s ring finger properly sized and send the ring to be resized.

10 ways to secretly measure your partner’s ring finger

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Excited to propose to your partner but want to be as secretive and low-key as possible to keep it all a surprise? Here are 10 ways to measure your partner’s ring finger while making sure you don’t spoil the surprise.

1. Have a peek at your partner’s existing rings

Dig through your partner’s jewellery box to find a ring they might usually wear. If they don’t wear a ring on the ring finger of their left hand, do they wear one on the same finger on their right hand? Both fingers will be very similar in size, if not identical. If they wear a ring on this finger, perfect! Just measure the diameter, draw around the inside of the ring on a piece of paper, or use a ring sizer (they cost about £5 on Amazon). Then all you have to do is give this information to the jeweller when browsing for rings and they’ll do the rest.

2. Take your partner’s ring to a jewellers

If you’ve found one of your partner’s rings which you think is the right size, simply take it along to your local jewellers and they can accurately measure it for you (so long as your partner won’t realise it’s missing for a day or so). It doesn’t even need to be the store you intend to buy the ring from, but they’ll have the equipment needed to accurately measure it. Then, take the ring back and leave it where you found it. The perfect crime!

3. Use a ring sizer

As mentioned above, buying a ring sizer off Amazon can be super cheap, with many decent ones costing around £5. It may be another expense (on top of the £1,978 average couples spend on engagement rings in the UK) but it can mean you avoid having to pay to have the ring resized later on.

If your partner is a heavy sleeper (or you can be really quiet) wait for them to nod off then crack out your new purchase. It might take a few goes, but you can test different ring sizes on their ring finger to find the perfect size. Then, they’ll be kept in the dark but you can choose the perfect ring in the perfect size.

4. Use string, a pen and a tape measure

If you can’t get hold of a ring sizer, you can take the same steps as above but use a piece of string, a pen and a tape measure instead.

Once your partner’s asleep, wrap some string around their finger and use a pen to put a mark on the string where it meets in the middle. Just make sure you don’t wrap it too tight or too loose. You can then measure the distance between the two pen marks, or take it to a jewellers to measure for you.

5. Ask friends or family to get involved

If you have close friends or family who you think would be willing to help you out (and you trust not to give away the secret), there are ways they can find out your partner’s ring size for you. First, you could ask them to offer your partner their ring to try on. If it first perfectly the first time, great! If it’s a little too tight or too loose, you could go up a size or two.

Another way is to ask one of their friends to arrange a shopping trip. As part of that, they could go into a jewellers for a spot of browsing, then measure their ring fingers for fun. Your partner might have a giggle about it, completely oblivious to the fact that their friend or family member is in on it.

Or, why not simply ask someone else to ask your partner what their ring size is? If they’ve spent time browsing jewellery in the past, there’s every chance they measured their ring finger just to see. Then, all they have to do is pass this information on to you. Just be aware that if they measured their finger a long time ago, there’s every chance it will have changed.

6. Just ask… but playfully

If you’re at the stage when you’re considering proposing, you and your partner have no doubt discussed getting married. Maybe it’s even something you talk about regularly. Next time it comes up, and if you think you can get away with it, why not simply ask in a matter-of-fact way? ‘Do you even know your ring size, anyway?’ They might know and decide to tell you, saving you a tricky job.

7. Say you’re buying a ring for someone else

If there’s someone in your family with a birthday on the horizon, why not suggest buying them a ring as a gift? Take your partner along with you for their advice, and ask them to model the ring to help you make your decision. If you do it right, and you’re not too obvious, it can be a subtle way to discover their ring size.

8. Play the long game with a promise ring

Before they get engaged, many couples use a promise ring to symbolise their love and commitment to each other. A promise ring is usually worn on the ring finger, which is a brilliant way you can find out their size. When you buy your promise rings, make a note of the size so you can come back to it later.

Or, why not go shopping for promise rings and measure both of your ring fingers? Make an excuse about not finding the perfect rings and you’ll try again another day. Then, go back to the jewellers and buy an engagement ring which is exactly the right size.

9. Compare with your own fingers

This one isn’t ideal, but try comparing your ring finger to your partner’s. If they’re similar in size, you might be able to get away with measuring your own at the jewellers. You could even see if any of your partner’s rings fit your own ring finger. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than simply guessing if you can’t get away with any other method.

10. Show an experienced jeweller a picture of your partner’s hand

This is another less-than-perfect way to find out your partner’s ring size, but still better than nothing. That being said, some experienced and talented jewellers can make a fairly accurate, educated guess about the size of someone’s ring finger purely by eye. Even better if you can take a photograph with something of a standard size next to their hand so they can get a good sense of scale. Just don’t expect your jeweller to get it exactly right.

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Once you’ve found the perfect ring that is exactly the perfect size thanks to our handy guide, you’re ready to propose. Then, once you have your YES, you and your new fiance can begin planning the most amazing wedding together right here on Bridebook.

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What to Write in an Engagement Party Thank You Card

Your engagement party is a wonderful opportunity for you and your loved ones to celebrate your recent engagement. Family and friends from up and down the country are likely to come, with some generous enough to give you and your new fiance a gift.

You’ll no doubt express your thanks to everyone attending on the day or night itself, but a popular way couples like to show their gratitude is by sending engagement party thank you cards. Thank you cards offer a thoughtful and personal way to show how much you appreciate your guests being with you to celebrate your engagement. But what do you write in them? What tone should you use? And what information should you include?

In this post, we’ll answer common questions surrounding how to write engagement party thank you cards, including where to get them from and how to send them, and offer you examples of what you could write in your own. For more information on planning the perfect celebratory bash, read our post on how to plan an engagement party.

Should you send thank you cards after your engagement party?

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If you sent out invitations for your engagement party that were more than a simple text, like an evite or paper invitations, then the usual etiquette would be to send thank you cards to everyone who attended your engagement party.

It isn’t a necessity, but it tells those who came to celebrate that you appreciate them taking the time and spending the money they did to be with you. This counts double for those guests who were generous enough to give you an engagement gift. It’s a lovely gesture that shows how much it means to you that your guests could be there to celebrate your amazing news with you.

Should you send a thank you card to everyone?

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If you send one guest a thank you card, then you should seriously consider sending everyone who came to your engagement party a thank you card as well. Don’t just reserve them for guests who gave you a gift – if you only send a thank you card to select guests, then word could spread, which may make those who didn’t receive one feel unappreciated or even a little hurt.

When should you send an engagement party thank you card?

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Generally, you’ll want to send your thank you cards around two to four weeks after your engagement party. Thank yous aren’t usually expected by guests but are certainly welcomed, so make for a lovely little reminder of your big night. Leaving it this long also allows any guests who might want to send you a late engagement present time to do so, which you can then thank them for in the note.

How should you send engagement party thank you cards?

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Couples will usually choose to send thank you cards through the post, even if the actual invitations were sent via evites. Email thank you cards aren’t quite as personal as a lovely card sent through the post. That being said, if your wedding stationery budget doesn’t quite stretch to engagement party thank you cards, your guests won’t mind if you choose to save money and send a digital thank you note instead. The average couple spends £414 on wedding stationery, so you may have to carefully choose which traditions you do and don’t follow.

Where can you get engagement party thank you cards?

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If you choose to send postal thank you cards to your engagement party guests, there are several ways you can do it that suit a range of budgets. Each option will also have varying degrees of personalisations available.

You can pick up a big pack of generic thank you cards from high street party planning shops or card and stationery retailers. Many couples handwrite their thank you cards anyway, so this is an affordable way to do it. You could also handwrite letters, an art that has been lost in the digital age. Everyone loves to receive a handwritten letter through the post because they’re so rare and so special these days!

You could also design your own cards using photographs taken at your engagement party and have them affordably printed on a website such as Vistaprint.

If you do want to keep costs as low as possible and save yourselves the cost of postage, sites like Paperless Post give you the option to send thank you cards in next to no time. You can also personalise them so your guests still know how much you appreciate them coming to your party.

At Bridebook, we work with a wide selection of wedding stationers who can help you design thank you cards that complement your invitations and the theme of your party. It’s also a great way to add personalisations and that extra special touch.

For more information, read our post on ways to save money on wedding stationery, which includes plenty of tips and tricks for cutting costs if you’re keen to show your gratitude to your guests.

What tone should you use when writing engagement party thank you cards?

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Choosing the right tone to use when writing your thank you card should strike a balance between warmth, gratitude, matching the formality of your party and being true to how you usually speak. For example, you might want to send a card saying ‘Cheers for partying with us, chaps,’ but this might not reflect the formality of your party if you invited them to a three-course meal at a golf club.

Try to be as genuine as possible while using a tone that will be well received by whoever reads it, whether it’s Grandma or your best mate. Be appreciative and personal, and use positive language throughout. Make sure you also look forward, bearing in mind that anyone who was invited to your engagement party will usually expect an invite to your wedding as well.

What should you include in an engagement party thank you card?

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However you choose to word your thank you notes or cards, they’ll usually follow a similar structure. They don’t need to be a long, heartfelt outpouring of gratitude, but they also need to be a little bit more than ‘Thanks for coming.’

When planning what to write, think about the following structure and how your cards or notes include each of these:

Open with the name of your recipient(s), which could be something like ‘Richard and Kelly’ or a collective like ‘The Harris Family.’
Express your appreciation for them coming to your engagement party, including if they made any kind of contribution, such as bringing a cake or balloons.
Touch on something they were involved in, said, or did while at the party and how it contributed towards you having a fabulous time.
If they gave you an engagement gift, highlight this too, perhaps referencing how it made you feel or how it will be used (especially for monetary gifts).
Mention the future and how you hope they can also make it to your wedding.
Include a closing statement that reiterates your love and appreciation, such as ‘With heartfelt thanks and love.’
Sign off with your names.

Should you handwrite engagement party thank you cards?

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When sending thank you cards through the post, most couples choose to write them by hand. Not only does this allow for extra personalisation, but it shows the recipient that you’ve taken the time and effort to thank them for being there. There’s nothing quite like receiving a handwritten note, which is also why it’s not recommended that you send digital thank you cards if your budget and time allow for it.

Engagement party thank you card examples

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If you’re looking for some inspiration for what to write in your engagement party thank you cards, or you’re not quite sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Here are a couple of examples you can use to get you started so you can let your guests know just how thankful you are.

Example 1

Dear Walker Family,
Thank you so much for joining us for our engagement party at Markenfield Hall. We felt so lucky to have you there with us to celebrate this next chapter in our lives. Daniel winning the limbo contest was a particular highlight – we hope you enjoyed the bottle of wine, Dan!
We’d also like to thank you for your generous gift. The money will be put to such good use as we plan our honeymoon for a much-needed break after our big day next June. We hope to see you there for even more celebrating (and another limbo contest if we’re lucky!).
Thanks again, we’re so lucky to have you in our lives.
Amber and Chrissy

Example 2

Dear Aaron and Julie,
We’re so grateful you could come to our engagement party at Eric’s parents’ house to celebrate our amazing news. The cupcakes you brought were delicious and very well received – there were lots of pink fingers from the icing, so thank you for giving everyone such a treat!
We’d also like to thank you for the vouchers. We’ve already got our eye on something to use them on which will help make our wedding extra special.
We’re so excited for our big day and we truly hope the two of you can come along to celebrate our wedding with us all over again.
With love and thanks,
Mary and Eric

Do you need to include any kind of RSVP when sending thank you cards?

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No, when you send out your engagement party thank you cards, you don’t need to include any kind of RSVP, because you don’t require a response. That is, unless someone attended who doesn’t have your contact details and you want to pass them on.

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How to Write the Perfect Engagement Party Speech

An engagement party is a brilliant way to celebrate your engagement and surround yourself with your family and friends. Whether you choose to have a formal bash at a countryside hotel or an intimate barbecue in your back garden, everyone will be there to celebrate your engagement and talk about your future wedding plans.

As part of the celebrations, it’s common for there to be speeches at an engagement party to thank everyone for coming. It’s also likely that other members of your family, friends and future wedding party will want to say a few words as well, and offer you love and encouragement for the journey you’re about to take.

But what do you say in an engagement party speech? Should it be long? Funny? Lovey-dovey? Who should give a speech and do you have to give one even if you don’t want to?

In this post, we’re going to dive into everything you need to know about how to write the perfect engagement party speech so you can approach your speech with confidence and say exactly the right things.

Who gives a speech at an engagement party?

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Traditionally, you should be prepared to give a short speech at your engagement party. This could be one of you or both of you, depending on who feels confident enough to stand up and speak in front of your family and friends.

If someone is hosting the party, such as the father of the bride, then it’s also common for them to thank everyone for coming.

Depending on your guests, anyone else is also more than welcome to say a few words. This could be any of your parents, a member of your wedding party (such as the best man or maid of honour), your siblings or your friends. There are no hard and fast rules at an engagement party, so if anyone would like to wish you well and congratulate you, it should be encouraged.

Do you have to give a speech at your engagement party?

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While you don’t have to give a speech at your engagement party, it’s recommended that you do as it’s a way to thank all of your guests for coming. But, this can depend on the type of engagement party you’ve chosen to have. If you’re hosting a formal party with a three-course meal and a DJ and dancing, then your guests will probably expect a speech or two. If you have a games night at home with a few pizzas and drinks, it’ll probably not be expected – but it still can’t hurt to take a moment to thank everyone for being there.

What if you’re too nervous to speak at an engagement party?

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If you’re really not happy to give a speech at your engagement party, then there are no rules stating that you have to. There’s always the option to have someone do it on your behalf, such as a parent or your best man.

If you can find the courage to do so, your guests would love it if you could give a very short speech. It doesn’t have to be a 20-minute stand-up routine, just 30 seconds to thank everyone for being there to celebrate with you.

When do you give a speech at an engagement party?

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Again, unlike at a wedding, there are no real rules for the right time to give a speech at an engagement party. It all comes down to the type of party you’re throwing. If it’s informal, you might want to give a quick thanks to your guests early in the night once everyone’s arrived. If it’s formal, either right before or right after dinner works best, as everyone is gathered together at the same time.

Is an engagement party speech the same as a wedding speech?

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Engagement party speeches and wedding speeches have a lot of similarities, but they’re not exactly the same. Read our article on wedding speech examples to see the sort of thing they include. There are a few subtle differences that mean they’re not exactly interchangeable. These include:

The tone is more relaxed and informal in an engagement party speech. You may not even choose to write a speech, and instead speak from the heart to thank your guests for coming.
Wedding speeches are often a lot more sentimental and emotional.
Unlike a wedding speech, you might not choose to talk about your relationship at all and save that for the wedding. However, if others choose to speak, don’t be surprised if they talk about you a lot.
Engagement party speeches are short, sharp and to the point, whereas wedding speeches can last a comparatively long time.

Can an engagement party speech be funny?

An engagement party speech can be whatever you want it to be. If you want to tell a few jokes and make things super light-hearted, go for it. If you only want to say a couple of sentences, that’s absolutely fine too.

If other guests decide to speak, you may also find that there’s a range of tones used. The best man will often try to entertain everyone with jokes, while a mum will usually be a little more sentimental.

If you want to give a speech that’s funny but you’re not sure where to start, think about anecdotes you could tell about how the two of you met. Keep humour light and make sure to avoid too many in-jokes. Self-deprecating humour can also be a lot of fun and get big laughs from your guests. Just remember to keep it positive and have a balance of sincerity and appreciation, always bringing it back to how grateful you are that everyone’s there.

How long should your engagement party speech be?

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Unlike a wedding speech, which could be as long as 10 minutes (or more, depending on the speaker) an engagement party speech is usually far shorter. Generally, you wouldn’t want to speak for more than a couple of minutes so you can save most of what you have to say for the wedding itself. The main point you should get across is how glad you are that your guests could make it to be there to celebrate with you.

What should you include in an engagement party speech?

Depending on who’s giving an engagement party speech, there’s different information you might want to include:

You’re giving a speech at your own engagement party:

Thank everyone for coming and how much it means that they’re there to celebrate with you and your new fiance.
Acknowledge your loved ones and the loved ones of your fiance.
You might want to talk about the proposal and how it felt. Highlight anything funny that might have happened and make a joke out of it.
Reference how you feel about your partner and how you’re excited to take this next step in your relationship together.
Talk about what you have in store for your wedding. If you haven’t secured a date yet, keep this part relatively vague.
Raise your glass and thank your guests again for being there.

You’re giving a speech at someone else’s engagement party:

Introduce yourself and how you know the couple.
Congratulate the couple and how excited and happy you are for them.
Share something personal, such as an anecdote. This is a great opportunity to be funny, but keep things as positive as you can.
Offer compliments about the strength of the couple and how great they are together.
Express your support for the couple and offer to help them should they need it throughout their wedding planning journey.
Acknowledge friends and family, and thank everyone for being there.
Wish the couple luck for the future and raise a toast.

Whether you’re giving a speech at your own engagement party or someone else’s, make sure you keep it light, short and you speak from the heart. Make sure you keep most of your material and best jokes for the wedding itself. After all, the engagement party is a warm-up for the main event!

Tips for writing the perfect engagement party speech

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Before you sit down to think about what to say in your engagement party speech, think about these tips:

Don’t forget to let the guests know who you are. There might be some guests you haven’t met which can be quite confusing for them.
Don’t be afraid to be truthful and honest. You might not want to shed a tear in front of people, but it’s about two people falling in love and getting engaged – tears are practically expected.
Don’t outstay your welcome – no one expects an engagement party speech to go on longer than two minutes or so.
Make notes about what you want to say, and learn your speech by heart. That way, it’ll come across as more natural and not like you’re reciting lines.
Practice, practice, practice.
Avoid too many in-jokes. If you have to include one, try to give the rest of your guests some context.
Short is most definitely sweet.

Engagement party speech examples

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Ready to start writing your engagement party speech but need a little more inspiration to help you get started? Here are a couple of engagement party speech examples you can use as a starting block for your own.

Example 1: the humorous yet heartfelt one (for those who don’t mind public speaking):

Good evening everyone. I’m Jonathan, and on behalf of my beautiful new fiance, Rebecca and I, I’d like to thank you all for coming to our engagement party. We’re so happy you could all be here tonight to celebrate with us. You all get to spend the next few hours in my company, which is a shame for you all, but you can at least be thankful you’re not Rebecca, who now gets to spend the next fifty plus years with me.
For those of you who don’t know, I proposed to Rebecca in Paris, in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Yes, cliché, I know, but by that point, I’d eaten so many pastries and cheese that I was thankful to get down on one knee for a rest more than anything.
Rebecca, I just wanted to say that I’m so excited about our future together. You saying yes was one of the greatest moments of my life and I know what we have in store will continuously top it. We’ve already started browsing venues and you’ve already made what will be a long and difficult challenge so much easier by just being yourself. You make me a better person and I can’t wait to undertake this journey together.
Thank you so much, everyone, for being here, it means the world to Rebecca and me. So, I’d like to raise a glass to say you’re all fantastic and we both love you all very much. Cheers!

Example 2: the short and sweet one (for those not fond of public speaking):

I just want to take a moment, on behalf of myself and my new fiance, to thank you all for coming tonight. We really appreciate everyone taking the time to come and celebrate our engagement with us. So I’d just like to raise a glass in appreciation for you all being here tonight. Thank you!

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What to Write in a Wedding Card: Top Tips and Examples

Love is in the air, and it’s the happy couple’s big day. Maybe they’ve insisted on no gifts, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get them a card, right?

A wedding card is a lovely gesture that can sometimes mean more to the newlyweds than a physical gift. After all, they’ll be able to look back on your words for years to come and reminisce about the love and warmth shared on their special day. However, knowing what to write can sometimes be hard. Do you stick with the classic, “Congratulations!”, or go for something a little more creative?

Don’t worry, we’re here to guide you. This article explores what to write in a wedding card, some top tips for what to include, and some great examples of wedding card messages.

What is a wedding card?

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A wedding card is a card given to the happy couple on their big day. Cards can be given in addition to traditional gifts or simply as a tribute so you don’t show up empty-handed. You don’t have to include money in the card. However, it’s a nice gesture if you aren’t giving a wedding gift.

Wedding cards are a token of your appreciation for being invited to the wedding reception or ceremony. There are no strict rules for what should be written inside, but our advice is to keep it short, sweet, and warm. Offer your words of wisdom, wedding wishes, or share a personal memory to make the card truly special.

What do you write inside a wedding card?

It can be tricky deciding what to put in a wedding card. Trying using the following writing tips for inspiration:

Include the key components

The key components of a wedding card include:

Greeting the couple. This is simply a line addressing the bride and groom. For example, “Dear [X] and [Y]” or “To the newlyweds”.
A congratulations message. This is another short and sweet message. “Congratulations on your big day” is fine, as is “You did it! Congrats.”
A heartfelt story, memory, or wedding wishes. This is where the card can get a little more complicated. You need to decide what message you would like to share with the couple. Try to make your message unique and memorable. For example, you can recall how they met, offer advice for a happy marriage, or simply convey your love and best wishes.
A sign-off. Conclude the card with a warm closing, such as “With love,” “Best wishes,” or “Sincerely.” Don’t forget to sign your name below so the couple knows who the card is from.

Check out the infographic below as a handy reference:

What to Write in a Wedding Card: Structure Guide — Follow this general structure when composing your wedding card message

Consider writing etiquette

Writing etiquette is a series of small mannerisms you need to consider when writing your card. For example:

Use appropriate titles. Address the couple with the appropriate titles. Tradition dictates that the man’s title usually comes first in a male-female couple. However, if they’re a same-sex, gender-neutral, or non-binary couple you can mix it up however you’d prefer. For example, ‘Dr. and Mr,’ ‘Mr. and Mrs,’ or ‘Mx. and Mx.’
Handwritten is best. Where possible, hand-write your card. Typing your card on a computer takes away the personal element and may feel a little transactional.
Avoid any controversial topics. Trust us, a couple’s wedding card is not the time to remind them they owe you £5.
Respect the happy couple. If the couple has asked guests to omit something specific from cards, you should respect this. For example, if they’ve stated they don’t want money or no personalised messages, you should respect this. Although it can feel disappointing to have a dampener put on your generosity, ultimately, it’s their big day, and you should oblige their wishes.

Consider your audience

Consider your relationship with the couple when writing your wedding card. For example, are they family, friends, colleagues, or neighbours? The nature of the relationship will change the tone of your card. For example, you might want to keep it more light-hearted and funny with a friend, but more formal with a work colleague.

Wedding card for a friend. A wedding card to a friend should be warm, friendly, and convey your support for the couple’s future. Consider including a happy memory you’ve shared, a funny anecdote from the hen or stag-do, or even a piece of advice for the journey ahead.
Wedding card for a family member. A card to a family member is usually more traditional and celebratory in tone. It’s your chance to thank the couple for having invited you, to welcome their new partner to your family, and to include your well-wishes on their happy day.
Wedding for a colleague or acquaintance. Keep the tone traditional or formal for a colleague or acquaintance. In this instance, you may not have been invited to the wedding and may be passing on your congratulations afterwards. So, keep it short, sweet, and to the point.

Be mindful of tone

As above, your relationship with the happy couple will determine the tone you take in the card. You might consider keeping a more traditional tone in a card to a family member. However, if the family member is your sister or close cousin, a funny or casual tone might also be appropriate— It all depends on your relationship with that person.

To achieve different tones, try following these tips:

A funny tone. Try including a playful anecdote, funny story, or even a light-hearted joke in your card to keep the tone funny and playful.
A traditional tone. For a more formal or traditional tone, use polite and respectful language. Express your congratulations and best wishes in a sincere and straightforward manner.
A casual tone. When writing in a casual tone, use relaxed and conversational language. Talk to the couple as you would in person, sharing your excitement and affection.

What to write in a wedding thank you card

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You might like to position your wedding card as a thank you card. For example, “Congratulations on your big day, and thank you for inviting me!”

This is a handy way to express gratitude to the couple for inviting you, while also acknowledging their big day. Think of it as hitting two birds with one stone!

Try using the following template for a casual wedding thank you card:

Dear [NAME] and [NAME],
A massive congratulations on your big day! I’m so excited for both of you to start your new married life together.
It’s been a privilege to watch you grow in your relationship together. I can’t wait to witness your shared journey as you move forward.
Thank you so much for inviting me to your special day. It’s been one in a million, and means the absolute world!
Love,
[YOUR NAME]

Wedding card examples to inspire you

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Check out two more examples of both funny and traditional wedding cards.

Funny wedding card example

Hey lovebirds,
You did it! A huge congrats on your special day. I’m super proud of both of you for making it through together.
I remember when you guys met on that rainy night out! Who would have thought you’d end up here when you were both sharing that kebab lady-and-the-tramp style?!
Seriously though, jokes aside — I wish you guys a happy lifetime of love and laughter together.
Best wishes,
[YOUR NAME]

Traditional wedding card example

Dear [NAME] and [NAME],
Congratulations on your big day. It was such a lovely day, and I am so grateful for the invite.
I wish you a lifetime of love, health, and happiness in your life as a married couple.
Kind regards,
[YOUR NAME]

Casual wedding card example

To my wonderful besties,
Wow, you’re officially hitched! A massive congrats on this fantastic day. I’ve got to say, I’m impressed you two made it this far together.
Thinking back to when you first crossed paths, who could have predicted that you’d wind up right here, starting this incredible journey on married life?
Wishing you both so much love, joy and all the good stuff that comes with it.
Cheers to your happily ever after,
[YOUR NAME]

Top tips for writing a great wedding card

Keep it simple. There’s no need to write an essay in the couple’s card. Don’t forget, they’ll have a lot of these to read! Instead, keep it short, sweet, and to the point.
Personalise your message. Steer clear of generic or boring messages. Even a traditional card can include a thoughtful wedding wish or express heartfelt excitement for the couple’s future.
Sign clearly. Sign your name clearly so the newlyweds can know who the card is from.
Proofread thoroughly. There’s nothing worse than receiving a card that’s full of spelling mistakes! Consider writing out what you want to say on a separate piece of paper first. You can then commit to writing in your card with confidence.

Write your heartfelt wedding card today

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A wedding card is an often-underrated way to express your heartfelt congratulations and gratitude for being invited to a wedding. It can be used alongside a traditional gift, or in place of one where couples have asked for no gifts.

The most important thing about writing a wedding card is that it’s short and sweet. There’s no need to write an essay about how grateful you are. Instead, thank the couple for inviting you, pass on your congratulations, and personalise your card with a special story or wishes for their future.

If you’re struggling with what to include, we have a great selection of wedding advice and tips available here to help guide your wedding card writing.

Happy Planning!

Top Engagement Party Games

Your engagement party is a great way to relax, unwind and celebrate your engagement before you get too deep into planning your wedding. There’ll be lots of food, plenty of drinks and loads of laughs as you spend time with your loved ones.

For many of your family and friends, it could be the first time they’re meeting. Will it be awkward? What will they talk about? What if they don’t have anything in common?

A great way to break the ice, help your guests get to know each other, and show them how much the two of you are in love is with some party games. Games bring people together, introduce some fun and excitement to the night and help create wonderful memories.

In this post, we’re going to take a look at why you should consider having games at your engagement party, which engagement party games are the best and offer you 21 ideas to help you host a party no one will forget in a hurry.

For more great engagement party tips and ideas, read our guide to throwing an engagement party.

Should you have games at your engagement party?

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Whether or not you have games at your engagement party is completely your choice, which can be influenced by several factors, including your:

Theme
Venue
Budget
Guest list
Guests’ preferences

It also depends on your own preferences and the feel you want to go for at your party. If you’re looking to host a formal engagement party with a three-course meal, you might not have the time or space to play games. If you’re hosting your party at home or in a park and things are more informal, games are a fantastic way to entertain your guests.

Then again, there’s such a wide variety of games you can play at an engagement party, some games that would suit the most formal of parties.

Why have games at your engagement party?

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If you’re on the fence about whether or not to have games at your engagement party, there are plenty of reasons why they can be a great idea. Below are just a few reasons why you should hop off the fence and go ahead with a few games.

Introduces a brilliant icebreaker, particularly if there are guests who are coming together for the first time.
Provides entertainment and gives guests of all ages something to do.
Adds an extra level of personalisation to your engagement party.
Ensures a fun and memorable party.
Prevents any awkwardness or downtime.
Introduces friendly competition.
Encourages your guests to get involved.

What type of games should you have at an engagement party?

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The games you choose for your engagement party should be quick and snappy, and offer all of your guests the opportunity to take part. They should be easy to understand and learn, and shouldn’t require too many complex props. The last thing you need is to spend ages explaining the rules, which could really dampen the mood.

If you’ve planned your engagement party to take part outside, like in your back garden or at the beach, make sure your games can be brought inside or you have a plan B. Volleyball is a lot of fun in the garden, but if it starts raining it might be rather tricky to bring it inside and play in the dining room.

Should you have prizes?

Prizes for the winners of your games can encourage your guests to get stuck in and try a little bit harder than they might otherwise. But, they’re not the be-all and end-all, so if you don’t want to or your budget doesn’t stretch that far, that’s fine too.

If you want to offer prizes, why not use them as your party favours? You could have a couple of bigger prizes for overall game winners, like a bottle of wine or a teddy bear, then smaller prizes for everyone else, like some sweets. That way, everyone still gets a little something to remember your engagement party by.

21 engagement party game ideas to inspire you

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If you know you want to have games at your engagement party but you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help. Here are 21 engagement party game ideas to give your guests the time of their lives. For more party inspiration, read our post on how to plan an engagement party.

1. Couples quiz

Put a list of questions together to test the couples in attendance. Ask progressively harder questions to see if you can trip up some of your overconfident guests. It’s a great game to play to keep the focus on you and your engagement.

2. Pictionary

All you need is some paper, a marker pen and a few teams. Except, instead of the usual Pictionary rules, make it all about weddings and getting married.

3. Trivia

It’s your night and lots of your loved ones will be there, so why not create a bunch of trivia questions all about you and your new fiance? See who from your friends and family truly knows you best.

4. Guess the year

We all have old photos hidden in the loft or sitting in albums on our social media accounts. Put a collage together and ask your guests to guess the year they were taken.

5. Karaoke

Definitely one for your guests who know how to hold a note, but a lot of fun to listen to your guests who perhaps have a little too much confidence in their abilities. Karaoke is brilliant fun if you have friends and family who don’t mind belting out a tune or two.

6. Ring hunt

Print out some gold rings and cut them out, then hide them around the venue and encourage your guests to find them. Whoever finds one wins a small prize! A great family game that gets the kids involved.

7. Ring toss

To keep it ring-themed, put some props together and throw gold rings over them. The harder or further away a target is, the more points they’re worth.

8. Photo booth

Photo booths are so much fun, and perfect if you’re holding your engagement party at a venue away from home. All it takes is a box of props and your guests will have a great time creating fun and fantastical photos.

9. Two truths and a lie

A hilarious ice breaker, each of your guests announces two things about themselves that are true and one that’s a lie, and your other guests are encouraged to identify the lie. You might find out some interesting things in the process!

10. Cocktail making

All it takes is a few spirits, some mixers, some sugar and some fruit to let your guests become mixologist sensations. See who can create the tastiest cocktail of the night, as well as the guest who will inevitably make a drink that no one wants to finish.

11. Cornhole

A game that’s becoming increasingly more popular but is super easy to pick up, as well as being quite addictive. Throw bean bags to a board and get them through the hole in the centre. A great game to play indoors or outside.

12. Newlywed game

A game that puts you in the hot seat. You and your fiance sit facing away from each other, and you each have a pen and paper. Your guests fire questions at you and you write down your answers, then share them to see if they line up. Another variation is the shoe game, where you hold two shoes (one yours, the other your fiance’s) and hold up the corresponding shoe depending on what the answer is.

13. The memory game

Ask everyone at the party to write down a memory of you. The funnier the better. Then, one by one, they’re read out and your guests have to guess who the memory belongs to.

14. Charades

A party classic, Charades is funny and can be played by everyone. Except at an engagement party, make sure all the movies, books and TV shows are wedding and romance related.

15. Jenga

Part-stressful, part-exhilarating, Jenga is a huge crowd-pleaser. Just make sure your guests play it with their glasses out of the way – you don’t want to spend all your time cleaning up spilled drinks whenever the tower of blocks comes crashing down.

16. Tie the knot

A little naughty so maybe not one for the kids, take a bowl of cherries and invite your guests to see if they can tie a knot in the stalk using only their tongues. It’s sure to get everyone laughing at each other’s skills.

17. Card games

All it takes is a pack of cards and there are a ton of possibilities. Poker, Bridge, Pontoon and even Snap for the kids. You could even use matches or sweets as currency for placing bets.

18. Casino games

If you’re going for a casino theme, you could hire a casino table and dealer to put on some proper Las Vegas-style games. All the fun and thrills of Vegas without the risk of losing all your money – which is perfect ahead of planning your wedding!

19. How many sweets in the jar

Fill a big jar with sweets and ask your guests to guess how many there are. To keep it romance related, they could be jelly lips or love hearts. Then whoever guesses the closest gets to keep the whole jar. Yum!

20. Guess the famous couple

Use emojis, photo mash-ups, anagrams or clues to represent famous couples, then ask your guests to guess and tally up the final score.

21. Don’t say ‘wedding’

Challenge every guest at your engagement party to not say the word ‘wedding’ – it’s a lot harder than you might expect because everyone wants to talk about it! If someone says it, they get a point on the board. Whoever says it the least wins.

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Happy Planning!

Who Does Speeches at a Wedding?

Have you ever wondered who does the toast at a wedding? Who’s allowed to stand up and share their anecdotes, laughter, and special memories? Who has the honour of raising a glass and toasting to the future of the newlyweds? Well, you’re in the right place, because we’re unraveling the beautiful mystery of wedding speeches.

Wedding speeches can be as customisable as your big day. Of course, there are traditional orders and makers of speeches. But that doesn’t mean you need to stick to those! In this post, we explore who makes different wedding toasts, who can make them in their absence, and some tips on what to include in a wedding toast or speech.

What is a wedding speech?

A wedding speech is a tribute or toast made during a wedding reception. Wedding speeches are usually made by the wedding party. For example, the father of the bride, the groom, and the best man. But they can be made by anyone close to the happy couple.

Usually, you’ll be asked to make a wedding speech — you shouldn’t just stand up and make one! Being invited to give a speech at a wedding is an honor, and it marks the significance of your relationship with the couple. It’s a chance to express your love, share memorable stories, and offer your well-wishes for their future together.

Who does a speech at a wedding?

Who Does Speeches at a Wedding: Cheat Sheet — Check out this cheat sheet to see who does a speech at a wedding and in what order

Many people make speeches at weddings. Some are traditional, like the father of the bride, and some are planned but unconventional, like the maid of honour. In this section, we explore who should make different toasts and give you an idea of what to include.

Who does the welcome speech at the wedding?

A wedding’s welcome speech is a short address made before any of the other wedding speeches. It usually welcomes the guests to the reception, lets guests know what the order of speeches will be, and how long they can expect the speeches to take. It might also acknowledge the guests’ efforts in coming to the wedding, a thank you for attending the celebration, or a few thoughts on love and commitment.

The welcome speech can be made by:

The bride or groom
The father of the bride
The father of the groom
A significant family member

Who does the first speech at a wedding?

The first speech at a wedding is usually the father of the bride speech. This speech is usually a mix of pride and nostalgia, and is traditionally made by the father of the bride. But it can also be made by a father-like figure in the bride’s life. More on this later.

The first speech at a wedding is usually designed to welcome everyone to the reception, and sets the tone for the other speeches. It should include an introduction to who you are, some words about love, and a thank you to all the people who made this day possible. For example, the venue staff, caterers, wedding party, and more.

Who does the father of the bride toast?

The father of the bride speech is usually performed by the father of the bride. However, depending on the family dynamic or circumstances, the father of the bride speech can also be made by:

The bride’s uncle
The bride’s step-father
The bride’s sibling
A father figure to the bride (for example, a godfather)

There may be many reasons why the father of the bride isn’t able to make a speech on the big day. All that matters is that whoever steps in to deliver the speech does so with love, sincerity, and a deep connection to the bride.

Who does the groom toast?

The groom’s speech is traditionally made by the groom. However, if the groom is feeling shy or there’s any reason why the groom can’t make the toast, the groom’s toast can also be made by:

The bride
The father of the groom
The mother of the groom
A trusted family member

The groom’s toast is supposed to be an address on behalf of the happy couple. But if this isn’t possible, the person making the groom’s toast should focus on thanking everyone for their contributions, talking about how special the day has been, and expressing their well-wishes for the future.

Who does the best man toast?

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The best man’s speech is usually made by the best man. However, if this isn’t possible, or if the groom doesn’t have a best man, the third speech in the order of speeches can be made by:

The maid of honour
The bride
The groomsmen
The groom’s sibling

The best man’s toast is intended to be a funny and light-hearted speech, full of jokes and anecdotes about the groom and stories of adventures over the years. However, it can also be a toast to friendship, to the couple’s love story, or an expression of your well-wishes for their future together.

Who does the maid of honour toast?

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The maid of honour speech is usually made by the bride’s maid of honour on the big day. But it’s becoming more and more common for brides not to pick a maid of honour. As a result, this speech can be made by:

One of the bridesmaids
The bride
The bride’s sibling
The bride’s mother

The maid of honour speech is a lovely but untraditional wedding speech that usually includes anecdotes about wedding planning, special memories of the bride, and support for the couple’s future. It’s a chance to express gratitude for being a part of the bride’s journey and to share in the joy of her special day.

The bottom line on wedding toasts

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Wedding toasts are more than just a tradition; they’re moments of genuine emotion, humour, and connection that add depth and warmth to a wedding celebration. Wedding toasts are made by a range of people during the reception. However, the order of speeches and who makes the toasts isn’t set in stone — in fact, they can be as customisable as your wedding day.

All that really matters is that the speeches are filled with love, support, and guidance on the happy couple’s big day. Whether you’re sticking to tradition or shaking things up, you’ll need some handy guidance on what to include in a wedding speech and some handy wedding speech ideas. If you’re stuck on where to start, we have a whole host of wedding speech examples to inspire you.

Happy Planning!

Engagement Party Invitations: What to Write & Who to Invite

Planning your engagement party will give you a taste of what it’s like to plan a big celebratory bash where you’re the centre of attention. The best part is, unlike with a wedding when there are certain traditions and processes you might follow, what you do for your engagement party is entirely up to you. So, whether you want a big, formal do at a swanky countryside hotel, or you’d prefer to get your closest family and a few best mates around to your house for some drinks and nibbles – go for it.

But, whatever you do for your engagement party, there’s only one way to make sure your loved ones are there – invitations. But how do you invite guests to your engagement party, what do you write and who should you invite to celebrate with you? In this post, we’ll let you know the answers to those exact questions and more, so you can throw the perfect party to celebrate your wonderful engagement.

When’s the best time to throw an engagement party?

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Finding the perfect time to throw an engagement party is something of a balancing act. You and your fiance won’t want to dive straight into planning, and instead enjoy your time as a newly engaged couple. But at the same time, you’ll also not want to leave it too close to the wedding, because at that point your guests will be less excited about your engagement but super excited about your impending marriage.

The sweet spot is between two and four months after you get engaged. This gives you enough time to get used to the idea of calling your partner your fiance, plan a party from scratch and give your guests plenty of notice so as many of them as possible can come along.

For more help with what to do and when after you get engaged, read our detailed guide on what to do following your engagement.

Who typically throws an engagement party?

Traditionally, the bride’s family are the ones to throw an engagement party, whether it’s at their home or a venue elsewhere. Of course, everyone’s situation is different, so this might not always be possible. Today, anyone can throw an engagement party and you can host it anywhere you please so long as it fits within your budget. Remember, the average cost of a wedding in the UK is £19,184, so you might not have all that much budget to spare.

Your budget may also influence the size of your party, so it’s worth bearing this in mind if you’re keen to invite 80+ guests.

For more information, read our guide on who traditionally pays for what at a wedding.

Who should you invite to your engagement party?

Once you know exactly how many guests you can invite to your engagement party you can put your guest list together. Generally, you’ll at least want to invite your closest family and friends and any members of the wedding party, even if you haven’t asked them yet. Then you might want to invite your wider family, other friends, colleagues and neighbours from there. But, it all depends on the size of your party and, ultimately, who you want to be there.

An important thing to be aware of is that whoever you invite to your engagement party will often automatically expect an invitation to your wedding. So, just bear this in mind when it comes to putting your guest list together. If there’s someone you don’t want to be at your wedding, you probably shouldn’t invite them to your engagement party as well.

How do you invite guests to an engagement party?

How you invite guests to your engagement party depends entirely on the level of formality you’re going for. If you’re hosting a three-course meal at a golf club or even a party with a buffet at your local pub, then you may want to send out invitations.

But, if you’re having a few people round for drinks or a movie night, a text might just do the trick. Then again, nothing’s stopping you from sending out invitations for this, either. Or to keep costs down, an evite can tell your guests everything they need to know but with a little less formality.

How far in advance do you send out engagement party invitations?

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Because your engagement party is a little more special than your average get-together, you’ll want to make sure as many guests as possible can make it. So, you need to give your guests as much notice as possible so they make sure they’re available. We’d recommend inviting your guests at least a month before the date of your party, but ideally six weeks if possible.

Basically, as soon as you’ve secured a date and your venue, one of the first things you should do is start letting your guests know so they can keep that date free.

Where do you buy engagement party invitations?

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If you want to keep things formal and send invitations through the post, there are plenty of options available. Couples spend an average of £414 on wedding stationery, which includes invitations that are usually highly personalised. With your upcoming wedding likely to cost a pretty penny, you may want to avoid spending nearly this much – thankfully, there are far more affordable options.

Card and stationery shops sell party invitations in bulk, which you can personalise by writing in each one. If you’d like them to look a little more formal, why not design your own and have them printed by a website like Vistaprint?

If you want to keep everything online (which is a super easy way to monitor RSVPs) then sites like Paperless Post are quick and easy to use. It’s a step up from a text or phone call, but not quite as formal as sending an invitation through the post.

Here at Bridebook we also have a huge range of wedding stationers, who can help you put together your perfect invitations.

Or, like we mentioned earlier, if your party is a lot less formal, there’s nothing wrong with a good ol’ WhatsApp group message to hit everyone at once. Just make sure you ask them to let you know by a certain date and keep track of who is and isn’t coming.

Read our post on ways to save money on wedding invitations, which apply just as well for cutting costs when it comes to your engagement party invitations too.

What do you say in an engagement party invitation?

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An engagement party invitation doesn’t need to say too much, just the who, what, why, where and when, in that approximate order. Then, your guests can ask you for all the juicy details of your engagement and your upcoming wedding at the party itself. Here’s how this information is broken down:

Who – You and your new fiance (and whoever is hosting the party).
What – You’re hosting a party!
Why – To celebrate an engagement!
Where – Where does your party take place? At home or another venue?
When – What date and time does the party start?

You can also include any other information if it’s important, which might be something to do with the dress code (if there is one) or whether you’d like them to bring anything along, like a bottle of wine or a few beers if it’s a barbecue at home.

You’ll also need to include how and by when your guests should let you know whether or not they’re attending, which could be an email address, postal address or phone number so they can drop you a text. At that point, if you’re putting on food you’ll need them to let you know if anyone attending has any dietary requirements.

How to word engagement party invitations

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The tone of your engagement party invitations should reflect the style and type of party you’re throwing, which means they can be formal, funny, minimalist or relaxed. For example, ‘Fancy coming to my engagement party, lads?’ is probably a little too casual if you’re laying out an expensive three-course meal, and ‘You’re cordially invited to join us for an evening of games and beverages’ may be a little too formal if you’re having a games night at home.

Use your judgement to decide how you should word your invitations. Then again, if your guests want to be there they wouldn’t mind however you asked them.

Examples of how to word engagement party invitations

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You don’t need to spend ages agonising over what to write and how to write it. Just write from the heart, be true to yourself and how you speak and put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard). If you’re not sure, here are a couple of examples to get you started:

Example 1:

She said yes!
Please join us to celebrate
the engagement of Alice White and Richard Baker!
Saturday 7th August at 7pm
Ridgeway Golf Club, Thornhill
Caerphilly, Caerphilly, CF83 1LY
RSVP whitebakerwedding24@email.com by 7th July
Please let us know of any dietary requirements
We hope to see you there!

Example 2:

Party time!
Peter Gardner and Ryan Eccles
would love you to join them for
food, fun and drinks to celebrate their engagement!
When: Sunday 11th June @ 2pm
Where: 34 Robbins Grove, Tring, Herts, HP22 1PG
Hosts: Julie and Warren Gardner
Please bring a bottle of your favourite tipple!
RSVP by 23rd May by texting 0723410471

Do you need to include postal RSVPs in engagement party invitations?

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If you’re hosting a particularly formal engagement party, then you may want to include postal RSVPs with your invitations. However, because engagement party invitations aren’t quite as formal as the invitations you’ll send out for the wedding itself, it’s absolutely fine to ask for a text, phone call or email instead. Just be mindful of any older relatives who might not have an email address, and let them know they can give you a ring if they’d prefer instead.

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After you’ve thrown the engagement party to end all engagement parties, it’s time to throw yourself into planning your wedding. Sign up to Bridebook today to use our range of tools and resources to make planning your big day fun and simple.

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Happy Planning!

How to Decorate for an Engagement Party

Your engagement party is your chance to set your creativity loose and have some fun before you get stuck into the nitty gritty world of wedding planning. Couples are often a lot more relaxed when it comes to planning an engagement party as they’re often not quite as formal as the wedding itself, which means you have the opportunity to go to town and throw any type of bash you like.

As part of that, you can be as imaginative and as unique as you like with your engagement party decorations. Whether you want to go all out and immerse your guests in a different world, or keep things subtle with a few floral notes and balloons, you’re free to do whatever you want.

But where do you start? What should you think about before adding items to your online shopping basket? What decor is considered an engagement party must-have? In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know when decorating your engagement party to make sure you have everything you need for the perfect celebration.

Do you need decor at your engagement party?

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Whether or not you have decor at your engagement party is purely down to you, your preferences and tastes, and your budget. The engagement party is just one expense of many during the journey towards your wedding, so you might want to keep the costs related to your engagement party on the smaller side. After all, the average cost of a wedding is £19,184, which is a heck of a lot of money for most people.

But, it’s not like you’re hosting just another party. It’s your engagement party – an excuse to push the boat out a little and make it something your guests will remember.

It also depends on the theme of your party. If you’re going hard on the theme, like Mardi Gras or Casino night, you’ll need plenty of decorations to get the immersion you’re going for. If you’re going for a style or theme that’s a little more relaxed, like a garden barbecue or beach party, you can get away with using far fewer decorations – or even none at all. Do what’s best for you, your preferences and the money you have to spare – and think a little bit about the overall experience of your guests too.

What should you think about before buying your engagement party decorations?

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Once you’ve decided to throw an engagement party it can be super easy to start buying everything you can think of that has Mr, Mrs, We’re engaged, or I said yes! on it. If this is you, and you’re sat waiting for the Amazon delivery driver as you read this, that’s absolutely fine. But, before you get too carried away, there are a few things you should think about first.

What’s the theme of your engagement party?

Your chosen theme will be one of the main driving factors behind the decorations you buy. For example, if you order a lovely floral welcome sign but then decide to have a Hollywood red carpet-themed party, you might start to wonder if you should have switched the floral sign for one themed to a vanity mirror.

What’s the budget for your engagement party?

With your upcoming wedding, you probably won’t want to spend too much on your engagement party – and that includes your decor. When it comes to weddings, couples spend an average of £1,000 on professionally-sourced decor, so you might not want to spend anything close to this for your engagement party. Whatever budget you set aside, make sure you know what you have before you make your first purchase.

Where are you hosting your engagement party?

The amount of decor you go for is also influenced by your chosen venue. If you’re hosting a party at home or the home of a relative, you can probably get away with having just a few simple decorations. If you have a set theme and you’ve hired a venue, you might want to dedicate a portion of your budget to decor so that the theme comes across clearly. The bigger the venue, the more you’re likely to spend on decorations.

What are essential engagement party decorations?

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Depending on the theme of your engagement party, there are loads of different decorations you could pick up, whether it’s something for the tables, something to hang on the walls or ceilings, or something unique and eye-catching that makes for a great photo opportunity.

But, regardless of your theme and whether or not you have a lot of budget to play with, some decorations are considered essential by many couples. Below are eight decorations that are perfect for every engagement party.

Party balloons. Nothing screams party time quite like balloons. The best part is, balloons come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, and can feature designs personalised to you and your theme.
Welcome sign. Greet your guests to your party with a welcome sign that lets them know they’ve come to the right place.
Centrepieces and name cards. If you’re hosting a meal or have any kind of table plan, table centrepieces and name cards are a must-have. You’ll also want a chalkboard or easel so your guests know exactly where to sit.
Unique lighting. Create a warm and welcoming ambience with unique lighting, such as candles, fairy lights or lanterns.
Flowers. You might not want to fill your venue with them, but one or two flower arrangements remind your guests they’re there to celebrate your love.
Banners. Banners let everyone know you’re getting married and are fairly affordable. If banners don’t suit your theme, some lovely bunting will also do the trick.
Confetti/petals. Add a little more of a romantic feel with some confetti or petals.
Guest book. Make sure you have a guest book so your friends and family can leave you messages of congratulations.

Think about the lighting

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Depending on your chosen venue, or whether or not your engagement party (either in part or completely) takes part outside, you should carefully consider what kind of lighting you want to use at your engagement party.

Rainbow lights. In the right setting, colourful lighting can work very nicely. After all, it would be weird to have an 80s disco theme and not have a thousand colours lighting up the dancefloor.
Candles/lanterns. Choose soft, warm lighting to create a warm and romantic atmosphere. Candles and lanterns will cast dancing shadows as they gently flicker, while candelabras make for great table centrepieces (and you can pick up candles to put in them for next to nothing.
A bonfire. If you’re outside and in a safe location, a bonfire will create a brilliant atmosphere with the added bonus of your guests being able to make s’mores.
Fairy lights. Fairy lights are useful for adding a touch of magic and whimsy – the great thing is, battery-powered fairy lights are also fairly inexpensive. You might also get away with busting out the Christmas lights to wrap around doorframes or the edge of a table.
Spotlights/projections. If you want to go all out, spotlights are brilliant for making a statement and will light the outside of your venue for all to see. Similarly, projections can turn the outside of your home into whatever you like – make it rain confetti, turn it into a living Van Gogh painting or simply play a movie to keep the kids entertained.

Can you make your own engagement party decorations?

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Yes, making your own engagement party decorations might take a little time and effort, but it can help you save a lot of money and still give you fantastic, personalised decor. If you and your partner are crafty, it’s a great way to spend time together while you chat about your plans for the engagement party and beyond.

5 DIY engagement party decoration ideas

Here are just a few ideas for engagement party decor you can make yourself, even if you’re not particularly arty.

Banners and signage made from a chalkboard, wood or card. If you’re not comfortable using paint, stencils are cheap and offer a professional finish.
Paper flowers are dead easy and quick to make and there are plenty of video tutorials available on YouTube. Any type of origami makes for a unique decoration, and you should be able to find designs related to you and your interests.
A nest of fairy lights inside a jar or vase takes almost no effort but looks fantastic.
Dig through old photos or print off a few at home to create a collage of memories.
Table numbers made using découpage are simple and look great even if you don’t have any experience.

For more cost-cutting ideas, read our post on how to save money on wedding decorations.

10 tips for decorating your engagement party

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When you’re ready to buy and make decorations for your engagement party, make sure you think about the below tips to make the most of your budget and have a fabulously on-theme bash.

Choose your theme but don’t feel the need to stick to it too strictly. Even a loose theme can work wonders.
Set your budget and don’t be tempted to overspend. Think about the end goal: hosting an amazing wedding with everything and everyone you want.
Make what you can yourself to save even just a little bit of money.
One or two floral arrangements in a carefully selected spot can have a big impact and save you the need to spend hundreds on flowers.
Ask family and friends if they have any old decorations stored in the attic or away in a drawer somewhere that they wouldn’t mind you borrowing.
Bigger doesn’t always mean better. You might want to go big for your engagement party, but why not save it for the wedding itself?
Make sure you test any lighting you have before the night of the party. The last thing you want is duff bulbs, dead batteries or blown fuses as your guests start to arrive.
If you’ve hired a venue, ask them what kind of decor they might have that you can utilise. Consider hiring a venue with its own natural beauty to keep any decor costs to a minimum.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help – when it comes to your wedding, plenty of people can find a way to lend a hand.
Introduce personalisations in cost-effective ways, such as using decor with your initials rather than your whole name. They’ll be easier to find and likely a lot cheaper too.

Plan your dream wedding with Bridebook

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Happy Planning!

Wedding Speech Ideas

Making a speech at a wedding is a big deal.

It cements you as a key figure in a person’s life. After all, they’ll always remember the people who made the effort to speak at their wedding. As a result, you want to honour the couple by doing them justice, as well as delight and entertain everyone in the room.

Think of this as your chance to add an extra bit of sparkle to this extraordinary day. So, take a deep breath, stand up straight, and get ready to make this moment a cherished memory for the newlyweds.

In this post, we explore the best wedding speech ideas for each crucial person in the wedding party. That includes the traditional father of the bride, groom, and best man. We also take a peek at non-traditional wedding speeches like the bride’s speech, bridesmaid’s speech, maid of honour’s speech, and sister of the bride’s speech.

What is a wedding speech?

A wedding speech is a speech, toast, or dedication made during a wedding reception. They’re usually made after the wedding breakfast but before the dessert. This not only breaks up the meal nicely but also prevents the guests from getting too hungry!

Wedding speeches can be short, funny, touching, or tear-jerking and usually include anecdotes about the happy couple, some guidance on marriage, quotes about love, and a lot of thank-yous. They’re generally between 5 and 7 minutes long. However, they can be as long as necessary to get your point across.

No matter the length, every wedding speech should start with an introduction and end with a toast to the health and happiness of the newlyweds.

What should I include in speeches for weddings?

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Here are some key elements to include in your wedding speech:

Introduce yourself. Though most people at the wedding will already know you, introducing yourself at the start of a speech is a great way to kick off the proceedings. It can help you feel more confident and set the tone of your speech.
How you met the happy couple. You can then move on to explaining how long you’ve known the newlyweds and how you met them. Are you a sister, brother, an old school friend, or partner in crime?
Loving advice. Even if you’re single, feel free to share your thoughts and advice about love. If you don’t feel confident doing this, consider using some quotes about love, shortening a wedding reading, or even using your favourite song lyrics!
Light teasing. Light teasing is to be expected during a wedding speech. It adds a touch of humour and warmth to the celebration, making everyone feel even closer to the bride and groom. However, it’s important to remember that the key word here is ‘light.’ The goal is to bring smiles, not embarrassment, to the faces of the newlyweds. If you’re not sure whether a joke will land properly, consider running it past the couple first. Alternatively, leave it out and pick another story!
A toast. Every good speech should end with a hearty toast. Raise your glass high, wish the lovebirds well, and drink to their shared future.

Wedding Speech Ideas

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If you’re unsure what to include in your wedding speech, we’ve got your back. Check out our guide on wedding toast suggestions to see how your role in the celebrations will impact what you should include.

Father of the bride speech ideas

The father of the bride’s speech is a special moment between a father and his child. It’s usually the first speech in order of speeches and should include:

A light-hearted warning to their new partner. This type of gentle teasing should be reserved for fathers and children who share a similar sense of humour. If that’s you, you could consider warning your child’s new partner about how untidy they are, how messy their hair is in the morning, or any other unique quirks they possess. As long as the ribbing stays good-natured and light-hearted, you’re good to go.

Your pearls of wisdom. As the father of the bride, you’ll no doubt have some salient advice for your child and their new partner on their wedding day. Share what you’ve learned about love, life, and commitment on your journeys around the sun. If you’re at a loss, a poem about love never goes amiss.

Tell them how proud you are. Finally, tell the bride how proud you are of them. Tell them how you always knew they were someone special, how much you love them, and how genuinely lucky their new partner is. Trust us — there won’t be a dry eye in the room!

Groom speech ideas

The groom’s speech traditionally goes second in the order of speeches. The groom’s speech should be an ode to your new partner and a big thank you to everyone who’s helped plan (and finance) your big day. Be sure to include:

A big thank you to everyone. Planning a wedding is no easy task. There’s so much to think about and so much to pay for! Every person sitting with you on your wedding day has played a part in your love story, so thank them for that. Thank your parents for all their support, thank your parent’s parents for welcoming you into their family, thank your friends, your parent’s friends, the guests, and finally, the staff of the venue. After all, without their hard work, this day wouldn’t be possible!
Tell your partner how much they mean to you. You should then turn your attention to your new partner. Tell them how beautiful they look, that you’re the luckiest person alive, and thank them for their support. Don’t be afraid to lay it on thick — everyone will love it!
Mention those who couldn’t make it. There are always people who can’t attend a wedding. Be that because they have other plans or because they’ve passed away, it’s a nice gesture to acknowledge the love and support of those who can’t be there on your big day.

Best man speech ideas

Next up is the best man’s speech.

Best man speeches are intended to be upbeat, funny, and memorable. Your role as the best man isn’t just to stand beside the groom on their big day, but also to share in the celebration by delivering a speech that reflects the joy of the occasion. As a result, your speech should include:

Stag-do shenanigans. This is the perfect time to share how drunk the groom was on his stag-do. Maybe share how you had them dress up as a smurf, the games you played, and the morning-after fry-up. Just remember — his family, friends, and work colleagues will all be there. So, if you’re not sure about a joke, give it a miss!
The time the groom told you about their new partner. You were likely one of the first people to hear about the groom’s new relationship. Meet-cutes or stories about when they told you their new partner was ‘the one’ always go down well. Share exactly what they told you when they decided they were going to propose, and watch the smiles light up around the room.
The adventures you’ve shared. Share some of your favourite memories from your adventures with the groom. You’ve no doubt shared a whole host of unforgettable experiences, so share those with your invited guests. Again —- keep it clean, keep it appropriate.

Bride speech ideas

The bride’s speech is an untraditional but beautiful wedding speech. There’s no better feeling than taking a few minutes on your big day to share your love for your new partner and how grateful you are for everyone’s love and support throughout the process.

Because the bride’s speech is untraditional, there are no expectations! However, we recommend you include:

A toast to yourself! Wedding planning is hard. But, you’ve made it to the other side, and now you get to enjoy your big day! Raise a toast to yourself for all your hard work, planning efforts, and dedication. Your commitment to creating a beautiful and memorable wedding day is truly commendable, and it deserves to be celebrated. Cheers to you; you did it!
Thank the hidden supporters. There are a lot of hidden supporters who go into wedding prep. For example, your hairdresser, your make-up artist, your florist, your wedding planner, and many more. Thank their efforts in making you look and feel so beautiful and all the support and guidance they’ve given you along the way.
A personal story from wedding planning. There are lots of ‘behind the scenes’ moments of wedding planning that will never get the recognition they deserve. But, this is your chance! Time to share what your ‘plan B’ was in case of rain, the outfit you almost chose, or any unexpected mishaps that turned into cherished memories.

Maid of honour speech ideas

As the maid of honour, your speech should be heartfelt, personal, and reflective of your relationship with the bride. Consider including:

The couple’s love story. You’re in the fortunate position of having been able to witness the happy couple’s love story. You’ve probably been there since the very beginning, knew every detail about the proposal before it even happened, and went to every bridal fitting. Share this with the guests! They’ll want to know every detail about how the bride knew their partner was the one. Tell them about the first-date jitters, the third-date butterflies, or when they told you they’d met the one.
Meaningful lyrics. Share the bride’s favourite meaningful song lyrics as part of your speech. Not only will this act as a fun inside joke between the two of you, but it will beautifully capture the essence of the couple’s relationship.
The proposal. The proposal story is always a crowd-pleaser. You probably had the inside scoop on what was happening, so share the part you played when the question was popped. Now that the big day has arrived, you can spill the beans on the sneaky communications, how the ring size was discovered, and how they told you the news.

Bridesmaid speech ideas

Another non-traditional wedding speech, a bridesmaid’s speech could include the following:

Compliments for the bride. If you’re not sure what to include, complimenting the bride will always go down well. Compliment their choice of outfit, tell them how radiant they were walking down the aisle, or even talk about how fun the hen-do was. There are a ton of options for wedding day compliments, all of which will add warmth and love to your speech.
Support and well-wishes. If you’re at the wedding, you’ve probably already been a big support and source of guidance throughout the couple’s relationship. However, your candid advice, guidance, and dreams for their future on their big day will be well-received and can bulk out the body of your speech.
The getting-ready process. Getting ready for a wedding is one of the best parts of the day. Share all the funny stories of overflowing prosecco, eyelashes that wouldn’t stick, and the special moment you first saw the bride in their outfit.

Sister of the bride speech ideas

The sister of the bride’s speech could also be a maid of honour speech. However, it doesn’t have to be.

Instead, focus on the sister of the bride’s speech as being a loving and nostalgic toast from the bride’s oldest friend. You could include:

Stories from their childhood. You’re in the unique position of having been present during the bride’s childhood. As a result, you’ll have plenty of embarrassing stories and happy memories to share on your sister’s big day. For example, you could tell the guests about their My Little Pony obsession, how much they loved custard, or even a heartwarming memory from their first day at school. Whatever stories you decide to share, make sure they’re full of love and peppered with nostalgia.
Sibling rivalry or teasing. A hint of sibling rivalry is to be expected in a sister of the bride speech. Share how you’re the oldest, were always the tallest, and yet they beat you down this aisle!
Heartfelt admiration. Alternatively, if you’re the younger sister, flip the narrative and explain how you’ve always looked up to your big sister, and you hope to be as happy as she is one day.

The bottom line on wedding speeches

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Wedding speeches are a beautiful and much-anticipated part of the big day. Being asked to make a speech or wedding toast is a big honour, and you should take it as your opportunity to sing the praises of the happy couple. After all, they’ve trusted you with part of the biggest day of their lives!

The bottom line on wedding speeches is that they should be fun, engaging, and heartfelt. Your words should reflect the love, joy, and uniqueness of the couple, as well as the special relationship you share. It’s your chance to contribute to their big day, make the audience laugh or shed a tear, and leave a lasting impression on this wonderful occasion.

So, whether you’re a traditional speech maker like the best man, or non-traditional like the sister of the bride, remember to stand up straight, smile, and always end with a toast. If you’re not sure where to start, we have a whole host of wedding speech examples to inspire you. Plus, you can find everything you need to know about wedding speech length, wedding speech order, and speech delivery tips through our handy blog posts.

Happy Planning!

How to Write a Funny Wedding Speech

If writing a wedding speech wasn’t stressful enough, now you’ve been asked to make it funny!

Writing a genuinely entertaining wedding speech can be tough. If you get it right, it will leave guests in fits of giggles and ensure your speech is a memorable highlight of the big day. But if you get it wrong, you might be left with crickets chirping and awkward glances all around.

Though writing a funny wedding speech can feel like a daunting task, we’re here to reassure you that all it takes is the right structure, a few well-timed jokes, and a lot of love to write a funny wedding speech!

So, whether you’re the father of the bride, groom, best man, maid of honour, or a non-traditional speech-maker, we’re here to guide you in crafting a funny wedding speech that strikes the perfect balance between humour and sentiment. Read on to learn the structure and some top tips.

What is a funny wedding speech?

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A funny wedding speech is a speech given during a wedding reception with the intention of making the guests laugh. To make your wedding speech funny, you can include jokes, anecdotes about the newlyweds, funny quotes or poems, or even use light-hearted teasing. Remember, any teasing should always be in good faith and with the express permission of the couple.

The best thing about funny wedding speeches is that they’re generally short – it can be difficult to write a long wedding speech with good comedic timing. Plus, a short wedding speech tends to hold the audience’s attention better and leave a lasting impression. Try to keep a funny wedding speech between 3-5 minutes long and focus on the quality of stories over the quantity of stories.

For more information, check out our post on how long a wedding speech should be.

How should you structure a funny wedding speech?

Introduction

The first step of any good wedding speech should always be an introduction. Standing up and letting everyone know who you are and your role in the wedding will help you feel more confident and open up the speech in a professional way.

You might also consider explaining your relationship to the couple while slipping in a joke or two. For example:

“Hey, everyone. My name is Sophie, the bride’s much, much younger sister”.

“Hi guys, thanks for joining us here today. I’m Jack, the best man and worst influence here today!”

Remember, any jokes should always be tasteful and appropriate for the guests. If you’re unsure, run the jokes you’re considering telling past the couple first to get their approval. This way, you can change your speech accordingly before the big day, and no one will be offended!

Tasteful jokes and one-liners

You can then move on to including some funny jokes and one-liners into your speech. These can be related to love, marriage, or even your relationship to the couple. Humour should be light-hearted, which means no making fun of anything personal or crossing any boundaries.

Pay close attention to your comedic timing, as well as allow time in between the jokes for people to laugh. Otherwise, they might miss the next joke, which could derail your speech!

Funny anecdotes

You should then move on to sharing a funny story about the newlyweds. You’re in the unique position of being a pivotal person in their life. As a result, you’ll have a ton of funny stories or entertaining anecdotes to draw upon. This is your chance to highlight the couple’s true personality and show them the moments that have defined your relationship.

Sentimental memories

Once the laughs have come to a natural end, it’s time to close the speech with some special and sentimental memories that you’ve shared with the couple. For example, the first time you met your bestie’s new partner, a story about how the couple met and the role you played, or even a heartwarming story from their wedding planning.

Whatever you choose to share, it should be a loving and sentimental moment that naturally follows the laughter and highlights how special this day is.

Toast

No good speech is complete without a toast. The final step of your speech-making should be to raise your glass of fizz high, make one final wish or blessing to the couple, and ask the guests to join you in a toast.

Top tips for writing a funny wedding speech

If you’re not sure, then don’t say it

Knowing your audience is a crucial part of writing a funny wedding speech. Consider what types of jokes are appropriate for your guests. For example, are there a lot of elderly family members attending, or is it a service bound by religion? If so, you may want to omit the more risqué or edgy humour.

Remember, if you’re not sure whether a joke will land as intended, it’s better not to say it.

Practice makes perfect

Practicing your speech ahead of the big day will help you feel more confident and prepared. Try practicing in front of a mirror, with a trusted friend, or even by recording yourself to watch back. Though this may feel uncomfortable, it’s a great way to work on comedic timing and understand how your speech will come across to audiences.

Consider your role in the wedding

The role you play in the wedding will change the nature of your speech. For example:

Funny maid of honour speeches usually include stories about wedding planning, hen-do shenanigans, and stories about the bride.
Funny bridesmaid speeches will also include hen-do tales and stories about the bride. However, they will probably place less emphasis on wedding planning as bridesmaids aren’t usually involved in that.
Funny best man speeches might include light-hearted teasing, stag-do stories, or any anecdotes from how you met the groom.
Funny father of the bride speeches are a great opportunity to let the groom know exactly what he’s in for! For example, how untidy the bride is, how moody she is in the morning, or any other quirks.

Have a backup plan

If things start going wrong or the jokes aren’t landing the way you expected, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan. This could mean writing a second short, non-funny speech to fall back on in case your first speech goes pear-shaped.

The bottom line on funny wedding speeches

Writing a funny wedding speech is no simple task. You need to consider comedic timing, the appropriateness of jokes, the length of the speech, and your relationship to the bride or groom. But when done right, funny wedding speeches are a fantastic way to add joy and laughter to the celebration while celebrating the couple’s love. If well-executed, they can become a special and memorable part of the big day. That’s why being well-prepared is essential.

However, writing a funny wedding speech isn’t just about making people laugh. It’s also about highlighting the special relationship you share with the couple, having fun, and reminding the guests about the little quirks that make everyone love the newlyweds so much.

If you’re struggling with where to start, we have a ton of examples of fun and interesting wedding speeches, including the traditional groom’s speech or best man’s speech, plus guidance on writing a short speech if you’re looking to keep it brief. There’s no time like the present, so get started on writing your funny wedding speech today!

Happy Planning!

How to Start and End a Wedding Speech

Wedding speeches are surely the highlight of the wedding reception. They have the power to make a room roar with laughter or bring a tear to every eye.

However, crafting the perfect beginning and ending to your wedding speech can be tricky. The opening is your first impression, and you want it to be memorable for all the right reasons. On the flip side, nailing the conclusion to a speech means guests will remember it for years to come. Nervous about getting it right? Don’t be. We’ve got your back.

In this post, we discuss the ins and outs of how to start and end a wedding speech. We talk about what you could use to kick off your wedding day toasts and how to end a wedding speech in a genuine and memorable way. Ready to start? Let’s dive in.

What is a wedding speech?

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A wedding speech, also known as a wedding toast, is a heartfelt dedication to the newlyweds on their big day. Wedding speeches usually follow a specific speech order, and are traditionally made by the father of the bride, the groom, and the best man. However, as it’s your big day, you can ask anyone you’d like to make a speech and have them in any order you prefer!

The wedding speeches usually last around half an hour during the wedding reception. This happens after the main course has been eaten but before dessert is served. Guests usually have a glass of prosecco, champagne, or a non-alcoholic fizzy drink to toast the happy couple.

How to start a wedding toast or speech?

The opening of your wedding speech or toast will engage your audience, set the tone for what’s to come, and create an emotional connection between you and the audience. But it can also be the hardest part to write as there’s a lot of pressure to get it right.

But don’t let that overwhelm you! Remember that your opening should reflect your genuine feelings for the couple and your joy to participate in their special day. Speak from the heart, and you won’t go far wrong. If you’re still feeling unsure about how to open your wedding speech, check out our guidance on great wedding speech openings.

Introduce yourself

Introducing yourself to the guests is the standard and accepted way to start a speech. It lets everyone know who you are, your relationship to the couple, and sets the stage for the rest of your speech.

It may feel silly to introduce yourself, especially if a lot of people there know who you are. However, it’s a great way to start a speech and will help you feel more confident, so even if the groom is your brother and you’ve known the bride forever, let everyone know who you are and your role in the big day by introducing yourself.

Start with a quote or compliment

If you’re feeling stuck about where to go next, a quote about love, a compliment to the beautiful bride, or a comment on the gorgeous venue are all solid options. A well-chosen quote can add depth and wisdom to your speech, while a sincere compliment will bring a smile to the bride’s face or show your appreciation for all the work that went into planning the wedding. Either way, these opening elements will set a positive tone for your speech and make the audience more receptive to your words.

Use a funny story or anecdote

If you’re feeling confident, a funny story or anecdote about your relationship to the bride or groom is a great way to open your speech. It not only adds a touch of humour and light-heartedness to the atmosphere, but also instantly connects you with the audience through shared laughter.

But remember that humor can be a double-edged sword, so be sure to keep it light, respectful, and in good taste. The goal is to make the audience smile, not cringe. If your joke is a little risqué, consider running it past the bride or groom first to ensure they’re okay with it.

Say thank you to everyone present

If all else fails, say thank you to everyone present. Thank you to the couple for inviting you to their special day, thank you to the venue staff who have worked so hard to make it all possible, and thank you to everyone else for coming. Everyone likes it when their contributions and efforts are acknowledged, so thanking the wedding party and staff and guests is a fool-proof speech opener.

How to end a wedding speech or toast

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Often, the only part of a speech the guests remember is the beginning and end. You’ve nailed the opening, and now it’s time to wrap up on a positive note. Try using the below tips to help you craft a memorable conclusion to your wedding toast.

Recap your key messages

A great way to round up your wedding speech is to recap the message from the body of your speech. This reinforces the central point you wanted to convey and leaves a lasting impression.

For example, if your speech was all about how perfect the happy couple is for each other, consider rounding off with, “We can all see how happy [couples’ names] make each other, and if I find a love that’s half as perfect as theirs, I’ll be a lucky, lucky person.”

This reiteration brings your speech full circle and highlights the love and happiness that radiates from the newlyweds. This will leave a heartfelt and enduring message to share with everyone.

Share your advice and thoughts

You could also round off your speech by giving your thoughts on love and marriage and any advice you may have for the newlyweds. If you aren’t in a position to offer any advice, a quote about love, a wedding reading, or a line from a song are also great ways to end your speech.

This approach not only imparts wisdom and reflection, but also serves as a thoughtful and fitting conclusion to your wedding speech.

End on a positive note

As with any part of a wedding speech, end on a positive note. This could be a final blessing, one last thank you, or even a warm smile. You’ve done the hard part; all that’s left is to seal the speech with a final dose of love and warmth.

Cheers to the couple

The best part of any speech— it’s time to raise your glasses of fizz to the sky and toast the happy couple. Invite the rest of your guests to join you in a toast to the happy couple’s good fortune and good health. Cheers!

The bottom line on wedding toasts

Wedding speeches can be tricky to get right, and the beginning and end of a speech are arguably the hardest parts to nail. But with careful planning, heartfelt sentiments, and hearty cheers at the end, you can create a wedding speech that not only engages your audience, but also leaves a lasting impact on the newlyweds and their special day.

Remember, you can never go far wrong with a friendly introduction, plenty of thank-yous, a quick quote about love, and ending with a big smile and a toast. These simple elements will go a long way in creating a wedding speech that truly shines.

If you’re still sitting there wondering how to start your own wedding speech, or how to end it, we’ve got plenty of fabulous wedding speech examples right here on Bridebook. We have brilliant examples of father of the bride, groom, best man and maid of honour speeches that will knock your socks off!

Happy Planning!

How to Write a Short Wedding Speech

Making a speech at a wedding reception is your opportunity to tell all the guests how happy you are for the newlyweds. It’s your time to thank the guests, share your thoughts about love, and celebrate this fabulous union.

But imagine you’re halfway through writing the wedding speech, and you’re told to “keep it short.” “Lots of people are making speeches,” they say. Or even, “We’d rather get to the puddings!” Now, suddenly, you need to condense your witty, tear-jerking 7-minute speech into a short 3 minutes! How do you cut down a wedding speech where everything feels important?

Crafting a short wedding speech that packs a punch can be challenging. However, with some handy examples, expert guidance, and a lot of love, you’ll quickly find yourself writing a speech for a wedding that’s both short and memorable. Read on to learn the benefits of a short wedding speech, some examples of short wedding speeches, and the key elements you absolutely need to include.

Should a speech at a wedding be short?

Wedding speeches are generally between 5-7 minutes long. However, they can be as long or as short as necessary. If there are a lot of speeches to make or the couple have specifically requested that the speeches be kept short, you should aim to wrap up your speech up in 2-4 minutes.

Though this might sound challenging, remember that the impact of your speech isn’t related to its length— it’s better to speak from the heart for 3 minutes than it is to waffle on for 15! Keep the spotlight on the newlyweds, stay upbeat, and always finish with a celebratory toast to the couple on their big day.

For more information on wedding speech lengths, check out our post on how long a wedding speech should be.

What are the benefits of short wedding speeches?

There are plenty of benefits to keeping a speech for a wedding short and sweet. These include:

Minimises stress. Lengthy speeches can be nerve-wracking, especially in front of a large audience. Keeping the speeches short minimises the time you have to stand up and say your piece. Plus, shorter speeches are easier to memorise and easier to present.
Keeps guests engaged. Short speeches are more likely to capture guests’ attention and ensure a good flow to the order of speeches. Guests may get bored listening to three 10-minute speeches. However, six 5-minute speeches will feel more dynamic and keep guests engaged.
Encourages thoughtful content. Asking the wedding party to keep their speeches short encourages them to think about what they’re including in their speech and be selective in their storytelling.
Leaves more time for other speakers. The main benefit of short wedding speeches is that they leave plenty of time for other speakers. Generally, the father of the bride, groom, and best man make speeches during the reception. However, keeping these speeches short means that groomsmen, bridesmaids, the maid of honour, and the bride can also make speeches at the reception.

Key elements of short wedding speeches

Short Wedding Speech Structure — Use this template to keep your speech simple and concise

The easiest way to keep a wedding speech short is to focus on a few key elements. We recommend you stick to the following:

Introduce yourself

A warm and engaging introduction is a great way to open a wedding speech. Let the guests know your name, your relationship to the newlyweds, and how honoured you feel to be making a speech on their big day.

Thank everyone for coming

In a typical wedding speech, you would take time to thank the people who contributed to organising the big day. For example, the couple’s family, the wedding party, the guests, and even the venue staff. However, in a time crunch, focus on saying one big thank you to everyone and acknowledging their collective efforts in making this day possible.

Address the happy couple

You should then speak directly to the happy couple. You could share how you first met the newlyweds, a funny story about wedding planning, or a touching moment that made you realise the depth of their love for each other. These stories are always a crowd-pleaser, and as a friend of the newlyweds, you’re in a unique position to share these special moments. Plus, this section will set the stage for the next portion of your speech.

Share a hope or wish for the future

Sharing a hope or wish for the couple’s future is a touching way to share your love and support on their big day. You could wish them a lifetime of love and happiness, share a quote about love, a short poem or song lyric, or even say you hope they enjoy the honeymoon! Any positive and loving sentiment that resonates with the couple will be a perfect way to wrap up your speech.

Toast

And finally, a toast! Invite the other guests to raise their glass of bubbles to a lifetime of love and happiness. Greet the couple by their names, raise your glass high, and then take a sip to conclude a short but sweet wedding speech.

Short wedding speech examples

If you’re looking for a little inspiration to guide you on your way, check out the short wedding speech examples below, which you can adapt use as templates to guide your writing. Feel free to personalise them with your own unique stories and anecdotes, and adjust the pronouns for an LGBTQ+ wedding.

Groom’s Speech

“Hello, everyone, I’m [your name], the luckiest groom on the planet. Thank you all for being here, sharing in our joy today. I remember when [partner’s name] and I met, it was like fate had a plan. From that day forward, my life became brighter. May our love continue to grow, and may our adventures never end. Here’s to [partner’s name], my forever love and other half. And here’s to a lifetime of laughter, love and endless happiness. Cheers!”

Bride’s Speech

“Hi, everyone, I’m [your name], and I’m the bride who can’t stop smiling. Thank you all for being here and making this day so fabulous. I’ll never forget the moment [partner’s name] walked into my life. He’s brought endless love and laughter. May our love story continue to be this beautiful adventure. Here’s to us and a lifetime of happiness. To [partner’s name], my love and my best friend, and to a future filled with fun, love and endless joy. Cheers!”

Father of the Bride Speech

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m [your name], and today I have the honour of being the father of the bride. Thank you all for coming and sharing in this special day. Seeing [bride’s name] and [groom’s name] together, I know their love is stronger than ever. May your journey together be filled with love, laughter and countless beautiful moments. To [bride’s name] and [groom’s name], may your love continue to grow, and your days be filled with happiness. Cheers!”

Best Man Speech

“Hey, everyone, I’m [your name], the best man and the guy who’s seen it all. Thank you all for being here to celebrate with [groom’s name] and [bride’s name]. I’ve seen [groom’s name] and [bride’s name] go from ‘I do’ to ‘We will.’ It’s been a wild ride! May your love be as enduring as [groom’s name]’s jokes and as beautiful as [bride’s name]’s smile. To [groom’s name] and [bride’s name], here’s to a lifetime of love, adventure and unforgettable memories. Cheers!”

Maid of Honour Speech

“Hello, everyone, I’m [your name], the maid of honour and [bride’s name]’s partner in crime. Thank you for joining us today to celebrate [bride’s name] and [groom’s name]’s love. I’ve watched [bride’s name] and [groom’s name] turn ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. May your love story be filled with as much joy as today and as many adventures as you can dream. To [bride’s name] and [groom’s name], may your love shine brighter with each passing day. Cheers!”

Mother of the Bride Speech

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m [your name], [bride’s name]’s proud mother. Thank you for being here to celebrate this special day with us. Seeing [bride’s name] and [groom’s name] together fills my heart with joy. Their love is a treasure. May the journey [bride’s name] and [groom’s name] embark upon be filled with love, laughter and countless cherished moments. To [bride’s name] and [groom’s name], may your love story be a source of inspiration for us all. Cheers!”

The bottom line on short speeches at a wedding

Short wedding speeches balance sharing a sincere or witty message during the wedding reception and effective time management. Though it can be tricky to condense everything you want to say into a short 3-5 minutes, this challenge can produce speeches that are poignant, memorable, and filled with genuine emotion (and likely a dash of humour and wit as well!).

Instead of focusing on everything you’d like to say, we encourage you to stick to the basics — introduce yourself, broadly thank everyone for their contributions, tell the newlyweds how happy you are for them, and wrap up with well-wishes and a toast.

A wedding speech doesn’t have to be long to be great, and it’s better to keep your speech brief and memorable than to risk losing the guests’ attention. This is true whether you’re going for a sweet and sentimental touch, or want something funny and entertaining.

But if you’re still struggling with where to start, we’ve got plenty of brilliant wedding speech examples to inspire you, from the traditional groom’s speech to the slightly less conventional mother of the bride speech. You’ll be writing a short wedding speech that packs a punch in no time!

Happy Planning!

Which Finger Does an Engagement Ring Go On?

When your fiance gets down on one knee and asks you the question, which finger do you present them with so they can give you your gorgeous new ring? Or if you’re the one proposing, how do you know which is the right finger? The last thing you want to do at that moment is place the ring on the wrong one.

When it comes to which finger is the right one for an engagement ring, there are actually a lot of questions that surround it. Why is that finger on that hand commonly used in some countries but not others? Why is it usually that finger? Do you have to wear the wedding ring on the same finger as the engagement ring or can they be worn separately?

The great thing is, just like your marriage itself, there are no set rules when it comes to your engagement ring. But there are traditions you might want to stick to. So how do you know what’s right for you?

In this post, we’re going to take a look at everything to do with wearing an engagement ring. We’ll go over the history, which countries traditionally wear an engagement ring on different hands and what you can do if you’re just not that into wearing a wedding ring.

What is meant by a ‘ring finger’?

The ring finger is the name given to the finger where you would traditionally wear your wedding and/or engagement ring, which is the finger beside your little finger on your left hand (in the UK). So commonly are rings worn on this finger that it has been named with this in mind. There’s even evidence of hieroglyphics wearing a ring on this finger to symbolise love and marriage.

In ancient times, it was believed that this finger had a vein that ran directly to the heart. That way, when both halves of a couple wear a ring it forever connects the two hearts. While we know a lot more about the human body these days, this wedding tradition is easily the one that has withstood the tests of time the longest.

Which hand do you wear an engagement ring on?

In the UK, it’s traditional to wear an engagement ring on the left hand. This is the same as the wedding ring once you and your partner get married. That being said, which hand you traditionally wear an engagement ring on can vary depending on where you are in the world.

Which countries wear an engagement ring on their left hand?

Countries where people wear wedding and engagement rings on their left hand include:

UK
USA
Austria
France
Germany
Sweden
Czech Republic
Romania
Portugal
Turkey
Ireland

Which countries wear an engagement ring on their right hand?

Countries where people wear wedding and engagement rings on their right hand include:

Spain
Russia
Switzerland
Greece
India
Norway
Denmark
Colombia
Bulgaria
Belgium
Poland

Which is the right finger to wear an engagement ring on?

Photo © Photography Ninja | See their Bridebook profile

As we’ve already covered, the right finger to wear your engagement ring on is the ring finger on either your left or right hand (depending on where you live). But, the right finger for you is something else entirely.

Can you wear an engagement ring on any finger?

Yes, you can wear your engagement ring on any finger you choose – you might even want to wear it on your thumb if that’s something that appeals to you. Wearing a ring on the ring finger has been a tradition since ancient Greek and Roman times, but traditions aren’t for everyone – if that includes you, then just wear your ring on any finger you like.

Do you wear your engagement ring on the same hand and finger as your wedding ring?

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Many people choose to wear their engagement ring on the same hand and finger as their wedding ring, but again, whether you choose to do this or not is entirely up to you. There are plenty of variations you can go for, such as:

Wear your engagement ring and wedding ring on the same finger
Wear your engagement ring and wedding ring on the same hand but on different fingers
Wear your engagement ring on the ring finger of your left hand and wedding ring on the ring finger of your right hand (or vice versa)

You might even choose to wear both rings on different hands and on different fingers. Whatever you feel comfortable with and makes you happy is exactly the combination you should go for.

Can you wear your engagement ring and wedding ring every day?

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Many couples choose to wear their wedding rings and engagement rings every day as it helps them feel close to their partner even when they’re apart.

Couples spend an average of £1,000 on their wedding rings and £1,978 on an engagement ring. This is often more than enough to ensure a high-quality metal, such as platinum or gold, which is super durable and can withstand lots of wear and tear. Over time your rings will suffer minor scuffs and scrapes – unfortunately, it’s unavoidable with any type of jewellery you might wear. If this is a concern, you might not want to wear them constantly, but for many, it’s worth it to ensure they always have that close connection to their spouse.

One thing some couples do is take off their rings when they get home and store them somewhere safe until they’re ready to leave the house again. This can slow some of the wear and tear – just make sure you always keep your rings in the same spot so you don’t have a moment of panic when you forget where you put them.

What if you have a promise ring?

If you have a promise ring, should you wear this alongside your engagement ring and wedding ring? There are two common options for couples who have promise rings:

Switch the promise ring for the engagement ring
Wear each ring on the same finger
Wear the promise ring on a different finger

There’s nothing wrong with wearing all three rings on the same finger, but if you have too many rings (especially if they’re thick or have larger stones) you may find it gets a little crowded. It’s not exactly comfortable if you have a ring too close to the knuckle, so whatever you choose to do make sure you can bend your finger and it’s not too restrictive.

Can you wear your engagement ring and wedding ring on different fingers?

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Yes, however you like to wear your engagement ring and wedding ring is entirely up to you. While the tradition is to wear them together on the ring finger, that doesn’t mean it’s something you have to stick to. Wearing a ring is hugely personal, and what it represents is between you and your partner. So what if someone looks at your hand and doesn’t realise you’re married or engaged just because you wear your rings on different fingers? You do you and don’t let anyone else influence your decision.

Which ring goes on first, the engagement ring or the wedding ring?

Photo © Marta Demartini Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Traditionally, once you’re married you would wear your wedding ring first, then your engagement ring. That way, your wedding ring is closer to your heart.

But, just like with every tradition we’ve covered in this article, it’s not something you should feel obliged to stick to.

Do you have to wear an engagement ring or wedding ring to get married?

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No, there’s no kind of law that states you have to wear a ring when you’re married. It’s a symbolic gesture that shows your love and commitment to one another. But, if you don’t like to wear rings, you don’t have the budget or you’re not a fan of jewellery in general, it’s absolutely fine if you choose not to wear a wedding or engagement ring at all.

If you’re not sure you want to wear a ring, read our post on wedding ring alternatives for a little inspiration.

How do you measure your ring finger?

To make sure your wedding and engagement rings are the right size and fit comfortably on your finger, it’s important to get the finger you intend to wear your ring on measured. This has to be done accurately if you want to prevent your ring from being too tight or, even worse, slipping off and getting lost.

There are several ways you can measure your ring finger:

Wrap a piece of string or tape around your finger and mark where it meets with a pen, which you can then measure with a ruler.
You can buy a ring sizer for around £5 from Amazon.
Your local jewellery store can do this for you.
Use a printable ring sizer.

What do jewellery experts say about which finger to wear your engagement ring and wedding ring on?

Photo © Lebrusan Studio | See their Bridebook profile

When it comes to choosing the finger for your engagement ring and wedding ring, we spoke to Ruby McGonigle from Lebrusan Studio, a leading London-based ethical jewellery designer. Ruby recommends the following flexible approach:

“Your sentimental rings don’t need to mirror your partner’s in metal or design, nor do they need to be worn on your left ring finger. Many European nations – including Norway, Germany, Denmark, Latvia, Poland and Spain – look to the right hand as the ideal spot for the engagement ring and wedding band. This is because it’s used for oaths and vows, inherently symbolising honour and trust.
Though many people enjoy wearing their engagement rings and wedding bands together on the same finger in a unique stack, there’s no rule that states this is a must. Your engagement ring, wedding band and commitment rings are precious pieces of jewellery, and if you don’t fancy forcing them to share space then the freedom is yours to wear them however and whenever you like! For practical reasons, some opt only to wear their engagement ring on special occasions. Others might wish to secure it a special everyday spot over on the right ring finger once the wedding band comes along. Some might not wear their rings on their fingers at all, but instead hang them with pride on a necklace.
All in all, just like your unique love story, the choice is all yours.”

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How to Plan an Engagement Party: Top Tips and Ideas

Right now, you might be in the middle of planning the biggest party of your lives in the form of your wedding, which will be a brilliant way to celebrate your marriage with your loved ones. But, just because you’re focused on that, don’t forget it’s also important to celebrate your engagement. And you’ll no doubt have plenty of family and friends who’ll be excited to come together to enjoy some good food, a few drinks and play some games to mark such a fantastic milestone in your lives.

But, how do you plan an engagement party, who do you invite, and what theme should you choose? Do you tie it into the wedding or should it have its own theme? There are so many questions it can be tricky to work out what’s right for you.

In this post, we’re here to offer you plenty of tips and advice for planning the perfect engagement party. We’ll answer the most common questions, offer you some creative party ideas and give you a step-by-step guide for what to do when planning your engagement party.

When should you throw an engagement party?

After your engagement, an engagement party probably isn’t right at the top of your list of priorities, but if it’s something you’re keen to do then you shouldn’t leave it too long. When you have your party you should still be riding the high of the engagement itself, and definitely not have it too close to the actual wedding. Anything between two and four months after your engagement is usually a great time to have a party. Any longer and you’ll probably be in the thick of wedding planning and the engagement will be slowly pushed to the back of your mind.

For more information, read our step-by-step guide to what you should do and when to do it after your engagement.

Who pays for an engagement party?

Traditionally, anything to do with the engagement itself – including the engagement photos and engagement party – are paid for by the bride’s family. But, of course, there are plenty of reasons why you might not want to stick to traditions.

For more useful wedding payment-related insights, read our post on who traditionally pays for what at a wedding.

Who should you invite to an engagement party?

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Who you invite to your engagement party is entirely up to you. If you want a big, sprawling celebration, it’s absolutely fine to invite your family, friends, co-workers, neighbours and even your orthodontist if you wish. Or, you might want to keep things small and intimate, inviting close family and any future members of your wedding party. It all depends on you and your preferences.

But, one important thing to remember is that generally, whoever gets an invite to the engagement party will probably expect an invite to the actual wedding. So, if you don’t want your distant cousins at your wedding, you’re best off not inviting them to your engagement party.

How much does an engagement party cost?

How much your engagement party costs depends entirely on your preferences and how many people you invite. Naturally, the grander your choices are, and the more people you ask to come, the more expensive it’ll be. It might be tempting to throw a huge and extravagant soirée, but remember you’ll soon spend thousands on a wedding. In the UK, the average amount couples spend on their big day is £19,184, so spending thousands or even hundreds on a second party might stretch your budget a little too thin.

If you’re happy to host your engagement party at home or at the home of one of your parents, you can throw a party for as little as a couple hundred pounds. If you’re looking to hire a venue, as well as a DJ and caterer, it might cost a few thousand.

The great thing about an engagement party is that no one goes to one with any kind of expectations. Your party can be as formal or as casual as you like, so whether you want a four-course meal in a fancy restaurant or a few drinks and games at home with pals, any option is absolutely fine.

How to plan the perfect engagement party

So, you’ve decided to throw an engagement party to celebrate the engagement of you and your fiance before you get stuck right into the fun and thrills of planning. But, where do you start? How do you choose where to have it, when to have it and who to invite? Follow our step-by-step guide below to make sure you cover all bases when planning your big engagement bash.

Step 1: Set your budget

By this point, you’ve probably had a serious think about your finances and what you want to spend on your wedding. If not, make a start on this as soon as you can, such as by using our simple wedding budget planner. That way, you’ll know how much of your budget you can spare towards your engagement party and whether you can go all out or host a far more informal do.

Step 2: Think about the size of your party

Do you want a big party or a more intimate get-together with your very closest family and friends? Once you know how big you’d like to go, you can think about whether to have the party at home, at the home of one of your parents or at a venue like a restaurant, hotel or function space.

Step 3: Decide on a date

Next, choose the date you’d like to have your engagement party on, bearing in mind that if you want to have it in a week or two, many of your guests might already have plans. If you book it for in four or six weeks’ time, more guests should be available, plus you’ll find it easier to secure a venue if you’re not having your party at home.

Step 4: Secure your venue

If you’re hosting your party at home or at the home of a family member, you won’t have to worry about this step, but if you’re looking to have your party accommodate more guests, start your search as soon as possible. You’re more than likely going to want to have your engagement party on a Friday or Saturday night, which is when other people will want to use venues for parties of their own. If you’re lucky, you might be able to grab a bargain by booking a venue with a cancellation.

Browse our comprehensive range of venues to find a fantastic location to host your engagement party. There are also plenty of venues that offer much lower rates if you take advantage of a cancellation.

Step 5: Create your guest list

At this point, you’ll know roughly how many guests you’d like to invite to your engagement party. Is it less than 20, more than 80, somewhere in between or even more?

Step 6: Pick your theme and style

Once you know where you’re hosting your party and how many guests you hope will be there, you can think about the type of party you want to throw. Will it be an afternoon barbecue in the garden, a pizza picnic in the park, or a huge blowout with drinks and dancing at a countryside hotel?

Step 7: Send invitations

Once you know the whos, wheres and whens, you can send out your invitations, remembering to give your guests at least a month’s notice. Invitations to your engagement party don’t always need to be quite as formal as the wedding itself – in all honesty, even a text might do if it’s super informal. Just make sure you keep a note of who you’ve asked and whether or not they’ve said they’ll come.

Step 8: Think about the food and drink

The food you offer will depend entirely on the style of your party, the number of guests and where it’s being hosted. If it’s at a restaurant, they can take care of the food. If it’s at home, are you going to hire a caterer or bust out your Costco card and do it yourself? Just make sure you think about all dietary requirements.

Of course, this is if you choose to offer food at all. If it’s only a get-together for drinks and games, just a few choice nibbles will do the trick.

If you’re not supplying alcoholic drinks, make sure your guests know to BYOB when you invite them. As it’s an engagement party, there will likely be a toast or two to mark the occasion – so you may want to keep a few bottles of fizz in the fridge so your guests can raise a glass to mark such a special occasion. But don’t forget a non-alcoholic version for the young ones and those who don’t drink.

Step 9: Think about the decor

You might not want to go all out with decorations, but it is a celebration after all, so a few balloons, flowers and bunting will remind your guests why they’re there. If you’ve already spoken to florists about your wedding flowers, see if they’ll do you a deal to put together a couple of custom arrangements to mark the occasion.

Step 10: Book your entertainment

Depending on your budget, preferences and venue, you might want to hire entertainment to get your guests in the party mood. This could be a DJ or live band if you’re partying through the night, or a kids’ entertainer or bouncy castle if you’re having it outdoors. Or, you might want to save some money and simply stick to a Spotify playlist.

Step 11: Pick your outfit

What you wear will be influenced by the style and formality of your party. If it’s a summery afternoon barbecue, a dress or polo shirt and shorts should be fine. If it’s a three-course sit-down meal, you might want to dress up a little. Make the call based on what you have planned – just remember to let your guests know in the invite if they should wear anything specific.

Step 12: Prepare to give a speech

As with other parts of your wedding, there are likely to be speeches at your engagement party. This could be anyone, such as the party host, your parents, siblings, friends or even you. You don’t have to say much – just thank your guests for being there to celebrate this special time with you.

Step 13: To hire a photographer or not to hire a photographer

Some couples love to document the various stages of their engagement, and you could arrange a package deal with your wedding photographer to take photos at your engagement party too. This depends on the scale and formality of your party – for example, you might not want a photographer if you’re having a movie night at home. But, if you’re going for something a little more extravagant, a photographer will capture many of the night’s great moments.

Step 14: Think about your favours

You may be planning favours for your wedding, but you might also want to give the guests attending your engagement party a token gift too. It certainly doesn’t need to be anything too big – a magnet, some sweets, or a hot chocolate kit are more than enough if you choose to give anything at all.

Step 15: Enjoy the party

After all that prep and build-up, the time has finally come for the party. You’ll no doubt focus on making sure your guests have a great time, but it’s also important to take some time to enjoy it yourself. Your guests are there to celebrate your good news, so make sure you have fun and soak up all the love.

Step 16: Thank your guests for coming

After the party, you could send out thank you cards to each of your guests to show your appreciation that they came. At the very least you’ll probably want to send thank you cards to any guests who gave you a gift. Not everyone who attends your engagement party will, but don’t be surprised if you receive a couple of gifts from one or two attendees.

75 ideas for the perfect engagement party

Now you know how to plan an engagement party, how about some inspiration for what to do for themes, locations, food and more? Below are 75 engagement party ideas so you can throw the perfect celebratory bash.

Engagement party theme ideas

When it comes to a theme, the world’s your oyster. You could go smart and sophisticated, a garden barbecue, or tie it into the overall theme of your wedding. Here are 10 ideas for engagement party themes.

Romantic garden party – Twinkling lights and gentle music while surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Casino night – Crack out the cards, roll the dice and put it all on red. Casino games are fun, exciting and a great way to get your guests betting on your happiness.
Fairground – What’s more fun than the fairground? You could have a carousel-themed cake and a hook-a-duck game where the prize is gummy fish in boozy jellies.
Hollywood premiere – Roll out the red carpet for a Hollywood movie premiere theme full of glitz and glamour.
Globetrotter – Fill your venue with maps and globes and serve a selection of dishes and nibbles from around the world. You can even tie it into the places the two of you have visited together.
Beach blowout – Sandcastles, ice cream and volleyball are a fun and relaxing way to celebrate.
Cheese and wine – For something a little classier, you could pick up a selection of wines from around the world and pair them with some delicious cheeses – the stinkier the better.
Movie night – Put together a selection of your favourite movies, grab some popcorn and nachos, and settle down to watch some great flicks together.
Fairytale – Everyone loves a good fairytale, with plenty of whimsical options for food, drink and decorations.
Retro – Love an 80s disco or a bit of 50s rock and roll? Retro-themed parties never go out of fashion.

For more great party inspiration, read our post featuring creative engagement party ideas.

Engagement party venue ideas

Not quite sure about the best location for your engagement party? Where you choose depends on your budget and the number of guests you’d like to invite, but there’s a wide range of choices out there that are great for hosting parties. Here are just 10 location ideas for you to consider:

At your home or the home of a close relative
A back garden (with a plan B if the weather doesn’t behave)
Beach or lakeside
Gardens or park
A restaurant or pub
Hotel
Rooftop bar
Canal boat
Rental property like an Airbnb (that allows parties)
Golf club

Engagement party food ideas

If you’re providing your guests with food, what to serve them is often one of the most difficult choices. Do you serve a three- or four-course meal or put on a buffet and allow your guests to help themselves? Here are just a few mouthwatering ideas.

Pizza party
Mexican food
Brunch
Omelette station
Build your own nachos and tacos
Sandwiches, sausage rolls and other cold buffet items
Sushi
Salad bar
Dessert table
Food trucks

Engagement party cake ideas

You might want to save the cake for the wedding itself, but there’s nothing quite as crowd-pleasing as a beautiful cake. If you want to offer your guests a slice, here are a few ideas to get you started:

Classic multi-tiered cake
Naked cake
Victoria sponge cake
Selection of cupcakes
Supermarket cake
Retro cakes
Floral decorated cake
Piñata cake
Novelty cake
Dripping cake

Engagement party game ideas

Games are a great way to entertain your guests and get everyone talking and laughing. Here are 10 of the best engagement party games to lighten the mood:

Couples quiz – Test each couple to see how much they really know each other.
Pictionary – Play a game of Pictionary with all the answers being wedding-related.
Trivia – Put together trivia questions related to the two of you and your journey to engagement.
Guess the year – Put together an album of photos from your past and ask guests to guess the year they were taken.
Karaoke – Once your guests have had a few drinks, why not crack out the karaoke and belt out a couple of numbers?
Ring hunt – Hide some wedding rings around the venue and those who find them throughout the evening win a small prize.
Ring toss – Throw some oversized wedding rings onto bottles and total up the score.
Photo booth – Hire a photo booth, put together a selection of props and encourage your guests to get creative with a photo session.
Two truths and a lie – Ask your guests to name two truths and a lie and guess which one is the lie.
Cocktail making – Create a delicious (and not too boozy) cocktail to tempt those taste buds. See which guests can create the most delicious drink of the night.

Engagement party decor ideas

Throwing an engagement party might call for a few extra decorations to make sure your venue pops. Here are some suggestions for brilliant engagement party decorations:

Floral arrangements
Homemade bunting
A photo collage of the two of you
Balloons
Fairy lights
Candles
Themed table numbers and name cards
A custom welcome sign
A printout or canvas featuring your favourite photo from your engagement photoshoot
Themed postbox for cards

Engagement party favour ideas

Gifting your guests a small party favour is a lovely and thoughtful way to let them know that you appreciate them attending your engagement party. Here are just a few ideas that will suit a variety of budgets:

Retro sweets
Hot chocolate kit
Bubbles
Marshmallows
Personalised magnets
Wildflower seeds
Tote bags
Homemade jam
Mini bath bomb
A charity donation

Simple engagement party ideas

Looking to keep your engagement party simple and not break the bank, but still conscious that you want people to have a great time? Keep things easy with these party ideas:

Summer BBQ – Pick up a few burgers, sausages and veggie kebabs and light the barbecue to cook up a storm.
Function space – Have a word with the landlord at your local to arrange to use a small function space so you and your loved ones can enjoy a few drinks.
Brunch – You don’t need to party into the night, some salmon and scrambled eggs washed down with a Buck’s fizz will do the trick.
Ice cream social – Why not hire an ice cream van or shop for a selection of ice cream flavours and toppings and let your guests go crazy?
House party – Host a no-fuss, no-frills get-together and ask your guests to bring a bottle with them.

How to Plan an Engagement Party: Top Tips

Before you sit down and start planning your party, consider the following tips to make sure your party goes down without a hitch.

Discuss what you both want from your engagement party and be open and realistic about your budget.
Always remember that within the next two years, you’re likely to have your wedding, which is the ultimate goal. Don’t have a blowout engagement party if it’ll impact how much you can spend on your wedding.
Try not to get hung up on the little details. Your guests will have a great time no matter what you choose to do.
Don’t worry too much about the entertainment. If you’re looking to save money, just a few CDs or Spotify playlists will do the trick.
Make sure you pay attention to any dietary requirements. For example, if you’re having a barbecue make sure there are more for the veggies and vegans than just a few salad leaves.
Make sure you include a guest book so your guests can send you well wishes for the busy wedding planning ahead.
Make sure you send your invitations out in plenty of time so as many people as possible can come.
Make sure you prepare yourselves to give a speech. It doesn’t need to be anything big, but make sure you thank your guests for coming.

Plan the party of a lifetime on Bridebook

Planning an engagement party is just one of the exciting steps towards getting married. Sign up to Bridebook today to use our free resources and tools to help plan your engagement party as well as your perfect wedding.

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The Ultimate Guide to Engagement Photos

One of the most exciting parts of your engagement is undoubtedly the official photos you and your new fiance have taken together. It offers you the opportunity to mark the occasion and have a professional photographer take wonderfully composed shots that you can hang on the wall or put together in an album.

There might be a hundred questions in your head about engagement photos. Should you do them? How much do they cost? What should you wear? Will they look too cheesy?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Having engagement photos taken is a big deal, so it’s only natural to have a ton of questions during the build-up. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to ensure you’re fully prepared to go into your big engagement photoshoot.

Are engagement photos necessary?

Photo © Bolla Bello Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Whether or not you choose to have engagement photos is totally down to your preferences, how comfortable you are and whether or not you have the budget. For many couples, engagement photos are an important part of the process and make for a great accompaniment to save-the-dates and invitations, as well as for use on your wedding website if you have one. Not only that, but they’re a brilliant way to mark the occasion and make for a lovely keepsake and memory.

If you plan on having a short engagement, you may struggle to find the time to fit an engagement photoshoot in. Similarly, if you’re on a tight budget, it can be difficult to justify yet another expense. But, many couples feel that they’re a must-have part of getting engaged and planning a wedding.

Is it okay to not do engagement photos?

Photo © Paul Swift Photography | See their Bridebook profile

If you’re in two minds about engagement photos or you’re not sure you have the budget to spare, then don’t feel pressured to do them. Of course, many couples consider them a fun must-do, but they shouldn’t come at the expense of something else. In the UK, the average cost of a wedding is £19,184, which is a huge amount of money for most couples, and engagement photos are yet another addition to an ever-increasing list of costs. If they’re important to you, add them to your wedding budget, but if they’re not high on your list of non-negotiables then feel free to dedicate that part of your budget to something else.

When should engagement photos be taken?

You’ll want to choose a date for your engagement photos that’s much closer to your engagement than the big day itself. The sweet spot is while you’re still riding the high of your engagement and haven’t yet sent any save-the-dates or invitations.

You should consider it as a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera, as well as a way to get to know your chosen photographer and let them get to know you. By booking your wedding photographs and engagement photographs as a package deal, you might even secure yourself a cheeky discount.

For more information, read our guide on what to do after you get engaged so you don’t miss any important steps along the way.

How much should you spend on engagement photos?

Photo © The Wedding Photography House | See their Bridebook profile

While you’re likely to hire your photographer to shoot pictures throughout the entire day of your wedding, your engagement photos won’t take nearly as long. For that reason, you’ll probably pay a much smaller rate. The average cost of a wedding photographer is £1,300 – £1,500, and you can usually book a package for around that amount which includes engagement photos as well.

If you’re purely looking for engagement photos, you’re likely to pay between £150 and £250 to hire the photographer for the session, some limited editing and a digital album. However, this can vary depending on the skill and experience of your photographer.

Who pays for engagement photos?

Photo © Andy Sidders Photography | See their Bridebook profile

Traditionally, the bride’s parents are the ones who pick up the bill for the engagement photos as they’re often included in the cost of a wedding photography package. However, it’s becoming increasingly more common for couples to pay for their own engagement snaps. It all depends on your budget and whether or not your family is in a position to lend a hand financially.

For more information, read our post on who traditionally pays for what at a wedding.

How long do engagement photos take?

An engagement photoshoot doesn’t take as long as you might expect, and will usually take between 45 and 90 minutes. Of course, this can vary depending on your location, the conditions, the experience of your photographer and – ultimately – you. If you’re not comfortable in front of the camera it might take you a little time to get warmed up, but that’s one reason why engagement photos are so great – it gets you used to posing and smiling for longer than you might be used to.

How to take your own engagement photos

If you’re keen on professional-looking engagement photos but don’t have the budget to spare, can you do the DIY approach and end up with photos that are elevated beyond the humble selfie? The good news is, yes you can! The bad news is that you’ll likely have to pick up a few pieces of equipment to make sure they have more of a professional finish.

Luckily, your smartphone can likely already take professional-quality photos. The tricky part is making them look natural when you’re the ones snapping the shots. To do this, you can pick up a tripod for less than £20, and a wireless shutter remote costs as little as £3 so you can snap away without having to set a timer or touch your phone.

To go the extra mile, you might consider a lighting setup, but a decent kit might set you back at least £50. To get around this, choose a well-lit space, or better yet somewhere outside, such as some gardens or a historical site.

Then, just have some fun, experiment and take as many photographs as you can manage. Use different settings on your phone to create different effects, and use the light to your advantage so your faces aren’t hidden in any shadows and you’re not squinting because of the sun. With some perseverance, you’ll definitely come out with some beautiful shots.

If you’re not so sure, browse our range of wonderful wedding photographers to find yourself the perfect photography package.

What should you wear in engagement photos?

Photo © Stuart Wood | See their Bridebook profile

When the day of your engagement photoshoot arrives, what sort of clothes should you wear? Should you stick to what you’re comfortable with, or is it time to crack out the formal wear?

Thankfully, your engagement photos can be whatever you want them to be – and that includes the clothes you wear.

In the hopefully-not-too-distant future, you and your spouse-to-be will take part in another photoshoot on your wedding day itself, so why not take the opportunity to dress a little more comfortably? You may not want to rely on a t-shirt and jeans, but something light and summery should do the trick (unless it’s the depths of winter, of course – then you might want to throw on a jumper).

You might not want to match, but make sure the two of you discuss what you want to wear so you complement each other. It may look a little strange if one of you is wearing a flowery dress and the other is in a hoodie. It’s also important to make sure your colours go – if one of you wears red and the other wears green, it might look less like an engagement photo shoot and more like a Christmas card photo shoot.

You might also want to avoid anything particularly ‘trendy’ and go for a more classic look. You don’t want to look back on your engagement photos in 10 years and have a ‘What were we thinking?’ moment. So long as you’re seasonally appropriate, true to yourselves and complement each other, wear whatever makes you look and feel good.

Where to take engagement photos

Photo © Blue Lily Weddings | See their Bridebook profile

When it comes to the perfect location for engagement photos, you’re basically spoilt for choice. While the focus of your photos is 100% about you, the location you choose should be personal to you, full of character and allow for plenty of natural light.

Great locations for your engagement photos include:

Natural outdoor settings, such as the beach, some gardens or woodland
Urban locations, such as a city street or against a fabulous skyline
Historical sites, such as a stately home or castle
Cultural sites, like a theatre or museum
Personal locations, such as the spot where you met, had your first date or got engaged
Adventurous locations, like on a mountain or in a hot air balloon
At home where you feel most relaxed and comfortable

How long does it take to get engagement photos back?

The amount of time it takes to get your engagement photos back from your photographer depends on their workload, the amount of photographs they took and how much post-production is needed. Generally, it’ll take between two and four weeks, but photographers can be accommodating if you’re on a tight deadline. Just make sure you let them know what you need and discuss your requirements with them before hiring them.

Should you share your engagement photos on social media?

As long as you’re comfortable with it, of course! One of the best parts of engagement photos is that you can use them on your invitations, splash them on your wedding website and share them on social media. Definitely share your favourites, just make sure you don’t overdo it and keep a certain air of mystery about you before the big day!

10 tips for taking fabulous engagement photos

Excited to take part in your very own engagement photoshoot but nervous about what to expect or what you should do? Here are 10 tips to help overcome your worries and have wonderful photographs you’ll be proud to show off.

Be as open and honest as possible with your photographer. If you’d love to get a particular shot, tell them. Similarly, if you’re not comfortable with something, definitely tell them.
Make sure your photos are super personal and relevant to you and your interests. You don’t want boring, generic photos. You want photos that scream YOU!
Before the shoot, put together a mood board of the sort of shots you like and share them with your photographer. You don’t want to recreate other couples’ photos, but it can help communicate what you want.
Choose a theme that tells a consistent story across all your photos.
Don’t forget your ring! That means you need to time your engagement photos around getting the engagement ring resized (if it needs to be resized, that is).
Don’t do something because you think that’s what engagement photos are supposed to be – be true to yourself throughout the entire process.
Make sure the two of you communicate throughout and you choose colours and styles that complement each other.
If your budget allows, consider hiring a professional hair and makeup artist. Read our post on how to save money on hair and makeup for a few cost-cutting ideas.
Trust your photographer. You might have a vision for what you want your photos to look like, but they’re a pro so let them be your guide.
Try to ignore anything going on around you, especially if you’re having your photos taken in a public space. It’s only natural that people will be curious, but if you just focus on each other (and your photographer of course) you’ll have photos that radiate happiness.

Plan your dream wedding with Bridebook

Sign up to Bridebook today to use our free wedding planning tools and resources and plan your perfect wedding. We’ve also got a host of fantastic wedding photographers to choose from who can expertly capture your special day.

Do you need to be secretive when planning a proposal?

Is it hard to work out the size of your partner’s ring finger?

Do you need to find out your partner’s ring size to propose?

Is it better to propose with a ring that’s too small or too big?

10 ways to secretly measure your partner’s ring finger

1. Have a peek at your partner’s existing rings

2. Take your partner’s ring to a jewellers

3. Use a ring sizer

4. Use string, a pen and a tape measure

5. Ask friends or family to get involved

6. Just ask… but playfully

7. Say you’re buying a ring for someone else

8. Play the long game with a promise ring

9. Compare with your own fingers

10. Show an experienced jeweller a picture of your partner’s hand

Start planning your wedding with Bridebook

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Should you send thank you cards after your engagement party?

Should you send a thank you card to everyone?

When should you send an engagement party thank you card?

How should you send engagement party thank you cards?

Where can you get engagement party thank you cards?

What tone should you use when writing engagement party thank you cards?

What should you include in an engagement party thank you card?

Should you handwrite engagement party thank you cards?

Engagement party thank you card examples

Do you need to include any kind of RSVP when sending thank you cards?

Plan your big day on Bridebook

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Who gives a speech at an engagement party?

Do you have to give a speech at your engagement party?

What if you’re too nervous to speak at an engagement party?

When do you give a speech at an engagement party?

Is an engagement party speech the same as a wedding speech?

Can an engagement party speech be funny?

How long should your engagement party speech be?

What should you include in an engagement party speech?

You’re giving a speech at your own engagement party:

You’re giving a speech at someone else’s engagement party:

Tips for writing the perfect engagement party speech

Engagement party speech examples

Example 1: the humorous yet heartfelt one (for those who don’t mind public speaking):

Example 2: the short and sweet one (for those not fond of public speaking):

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What is a wedding card?

What do you write inside a wedding card?

Include the key components

Consider writing etiquette

Consider your audience

Be mindful of tone

What to write in a wedding thank you card

Wedding card examples to inspire you

Funny wedding card example

Traditional wedding card example

Casual wedding card example

Top tips for writing a great wedding card

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Should you have games at your engagement party?

Why have games at your engagement party?

What type of games should you have at an engagement party?

Should you have prizes?

21 engagement party game ideas to inspire you

1. Couples quiz

2. Pictionary

3. Trivia

4. Guess the year

5. Karaoke

6. Ring hunt

7. Ring toss

8. Photo booth

9. Two truths and a lie

10. Cocktail making

11. Cornhole

12. Newlywed game