8 Simple Steps to Planning an Engagement Party 💍

I've realized I share a lot of tips on planning your wedding, your elopement, and so on... But I have never shared some tips on planning an engagement party!⁠

A few weeks ago I photographed Amy and Charles’ engagement party, so it got me thinking and I thought I would share a sort of checklist for planning your engagement party for those who don’t know where to start! It can be so overwhelming after becoming engaged to not feel like you’re doing everything right as a bride. It doesn’t have to be stressful & it can be whatever you want as a couple!

Engagement Party Checklist:
- Decide who is hosting, or where you thinking of having your engagement party.⁠
- Pick a date (tip best time is within the first few months of your engagement as it's still fresh and exciting, no wedding planning stress yet!)⁠
- Create a guest list!⁠
- Register for gifts!⁠ This is a great way to have friends & family give gifts without having to be their in person due to not living nearby. You can even have a wedding fund box at the event & then family & friends can contribute to your wedding day.
- Send invitations! This is a great time to do your engagement session with a photographer you’re considering.⁠ Plus, this is easy decor for your engagement party to show off your engagement photos!
- Plan the food! Is it gonna be a formal sit down dinner party or a casual appetizer party?⁠
- Plan the theme / organize decor (keep it simple as you don't want more stress added to planning a wedding)⁠
- Decide what to wear! This is all up to you!
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Now you're ready for your engagement dinner party! This is perfect for couples who plan to elope, have an intimate wedding, or people who love to celebrate with family & friends for every occasion!

Starla & Aliana's Houston, Texas Elopement.

I’m so happy to share this beautiful elopement in the city. Starla & Aliana had a whirlwind of events leading up to saying their vows & becoming a married couple. Aliana’s jumpsuit zipper decided to break right before they left for Sabine Bridge. Well, thankfully they had safety pins to save the day. Then, as the couple shared their personal vows to each other, that’s when it decided to start sprinkling on us. At least rain on your wedding day is good luck!

After their intimate ceremony with their closest friends we decided to go to the Rainbow Crosswalk in Montrose for the Bride’s portraits. After tying the knot the couple had the coolest brunch ever at Electric Feelgood in Houston, Texas. They had fruity peddle pancakes, breakfast tacos, & all the mimosas! I loved how non traditional their reception was & their whole family was still apart of their special day. Electric Feelgood is super cute with all of the photo ops & slide… like okay that’s so cool!

I’m so happy for these two ladies & am so thrilled to have been apart of another epic adventure with one of my couples!

10 Non Traditional Wedding Ideas to spice it up!

This is for all of my non traditional brides out there! If you are wanting to add a little bit of ✨spice✨ to your wedding day here’s a little inspiration from a wedding photographer!

• Piñata Party!!

• Have your dog apart of your special day!

• Swap out your wedding cake; pie, cheesecake, cookie cake, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, the options are endless!

• Eat your favorite food! Pizza party anyone?

• Donut wall during cocktail hour!

• Change into a different fun dress at your reception! This is great if you wanna party on the dance floor!

• Late night snack? If you plan to party all night, call in your fav late night snack for all your guests!

• Have your bridesmaids wear different dresses & colors! I love a mixed matched bridal party! You can even have the groomsmen in different colored ties!

• Swap your guestbook out for something fun! Polaroid book, record player as a book, record a voicemail, disposable cameras, the options are endless for this too!