Crash Course on Engagement Party Gift Etiquette: Your Ultimate Guide

Engagement parties aren’t as common as weddings or bridal showers, so you might be unsure about the etiquette. Beyond wondering what to wear to an engagement party, guests often ask, should I bring a gift?

The short answer is no. However, if you want a detailed explanation of engagement party gift etiquette, we’ve got you covered!

What Exactly is an Engagement Party?

Once a couple gets engaged, news spreads quickly. Friends and family usually want to celebrate the couple and mark the beginning of their journey to the wedding with a fun gathering. An engagement party serves as a great way for everyone to wish the happy couple well and enjoy each other’s company. It also offers a chance for extended family and friends from both sides to meet. Typically, this party happens a few months after the proposal.

Should I Bring a Gift to an Engagement Party?

If you attend an engagement party without a gift, you won’t be turned away. Some guests, however, prefer to bring a small gift rather than arrive empty-handed. There’s no rule mandating gifts for engagement parties.

Considering the many other events where gifts will be required, it might be wise to save your money and simply be present at the engagement party.

Proper Engagement Gift Etiquette

The couple often just wants your presence, not an extravagant gift, at the event. If you’ve received an invitation, it means you’re someone the engaged couple loves, cherishes, and wants to share this joyous moment with.

Uncertainty about whether gifts are required can be stressful. Unlike wedding invitations that often include a gift registry, most engagement party invitations don’t indicate if gifts are expected.

Some guests love to spoil the soon-to-be newlyweds and bring a small gift to every gathering. But if you’re saving up for a proper wedding gift, you might need to do a bit of sleuthing to see if arriving without a gift would be a social blunder.

When to Bring a Gift to an Engagement Party

Here’s your checklist for when you should consider bringing a gift to the engagement event:

• A registry is included in the invitation. Though rare, this is a clear sign that a gift is expected.
• The gathering is limited to close friends and family. An intimate affair often involves guests who wish to spoil the couple with presents; arriving empty-handed might feel awkward.
• The event is a carefully planned, upscale affair with a formal invitation. For a formal event at a venue, gifts are a thoughtful way to appreciate the effort the couple put into the party and the value they place on your presence.
• Catering or an open bar is provided. Acknowledging the couple’s generosity with a thoughtful gift is respectful and kind.
• The couple is known for their formality and traditionalism. If they appreciate pomp and circumstance, they’ll likely value a gift.

When Not to Bring a Gift to an Engagement Party

If you encounter these situations, a gift is likely not required or recommended:

• A last-minute invite to a spontaneous gathering doesn’t necessitate rushing out to buy a gift.
• An informal get-together that is unofficial and casual doesn’t require a present. Still, you can choose to bring something if it makes you more comfortable.
• A large event with many attendees often means the couple doesn’t expect gifts from everyone. You won’t be singled out for not bringing one.
• The couple specifically asks you not to bring a gift or if they are laid-back and non-traditional.
• If you’re expected to pay for your meal and drinks, consider this along with your presence your contribution to the engagement party.

If You Decide to Bring a Gift…

Don’t feel obligated to splurge if you choose to bring a gift. There will be plenty of opportunities to give a more significant, lavish gift at other events where a bigger gift will be expected. For the engagement party, think of something thoughtful, practical, and smaller in size. A bottle of champagne, a bouquet of flowers, or a couple’s journal can be a token of appreciation for the couple’s invitation.

A good rule of thumb is for the gift to cost about one-third of what you plan to spend on their wedding gift. Since this amount is likely not extravagant, they probably won’t ask for it on their wedding registry. Small, sentimental, and budget-friendly gifts are best at this stage!

Every type of gift has its own time and place, and some occasions, like an engagement party, may not require one at all. If you’re invited to a couple’s wedding kick-off celebration, look for cues guiding the gift-giving etiquette. Usually, your presence is all that’s expected.