What to Consider when Planning a Post-Holidays Engagement Party

Photo by Michael Falco of Christian Oth StudioPosted to Brides.com on December 30, 2016 by Jillian KramerCongrats! You found a ring under the tree! But is this really the right time to throw an engagement party?Hands down, the holidays are the most popular time to get engaged. And if your partner proposes — or already asked for your hand! — over the holidays, you may have your mind set on an equally-festive engagement party to celebrate your commitment to one another.But before you book a venue and send out invitations, you might want to press pause and ask if now is really the right time to throw en engagement party."A lot of couples get engaged during the holidays, and it's only natural to want to celebrate with an engagement party right away," commiserates Jaclyn Fisher, owner of Two Little Birds Planning in Philadelphia. "But there are a lot of things to factor when choosing a date for your engagement party."People Are All Partied OutFor starters, Fisher points out, many people — if not all people — are tired and all-but-broke after the holidays. And they need a break from that (expensive) busyness. "They've been to holiday party after holiday party, and the thought of Netflix on their couch may be more appealing than yet another party," she says. And Viva Max Kaley, owner of Viva Max Weddings in New York City, agrees. "People just spent a lot of money buying gifts, traveling and running around for the holidays," she says. "They are spent — in all senses of the word. If your party means another plane ticket or more days off work, it might be difficult for them to swing it in early January."Traveling Can Be ToughWhat's more, the friends and family you want there most may not be able to attend. If they live out of town or would need to travel to your party, "they may not be able to take the time off work, or travel again so soon after the holidays," Fisher points out. That's if they even spot your engagement party invitation in the pile of holiday cards and catalogs they've surely come home to find.Finding a Venue Could Be EasierBut of course, there are plusses to hosting an engagement party after the holidays. For one thing, "it's a slower time for restaurants, so you'll have more dates to choose from and could save some money," says Fisher.People May Not Have Plans"A party could be a well welcomed distraction," says Kaley. "People often need things to do early in the year." And, of course, if out-of-town friends and family are still in town when you throw your party, you may just make their lives easier.Ultimately, it's up to you, and there's no right or wrong answer. And if you're having a tough time deciding, Kaley says you can really whittle all that worry down to a single question: "Where are people coming from?" she asks. "Depending on your friends and family's means, you may want to consider the proximity to the holidays. If most people need to travel, then these things should be considered more heavily."