...as the Mother of an LDS Bride

Your daughter just announced she’s engaged—congratulations! Along with the excitement (and maybe a few happy tears), you may also be wondering: What’s my role now? Traditionally, one of the first duties of the mother of the bride is hosting an engagement party. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the good news, bring family and friends together, and set a joyful tone for the planning ahead.

Choosing the Right Time

Engagement parties are usually held about a month or two after the proposal. If your daughter’s engagement will last longer than six months, you have plenty of flexibility. Anytime before the half-year mark works just fine.

If the wedding is only a few months away, keep the gathering simple—think backyard BBQ, dessert night, or a cozy open house. The point isn’t to announce the engagement (most people will already know), but to celebrate it and give both families a chance to meet and mingle.

Deciding on a Location

The best engagement parties are warm, welcoming, and suited to the couple’s style. A few ideas:

• Casual: Backyard BBQ, picnic at the park, or a living room dessert night.
• Semi-formal: An open house with hors d’oeuvres and sweet treats.
• Formal: A dinner at a favorite restaurant or a reserved space at a small event center.

Choose a setting that feels comfortable for your family, and don’t be afraid to keep it simple. The focus should be on the couple, not on an elaborate production.

Creating the Guest List

The number of guests depends on the venue size and the overall guest list for the wedding. A helpful rule: anyone invited to the engagement party should also be invited to the wedding. Engagement parties often include close friends and family, and they’re especially helpful for introducing the bride’s and groom’s families to each other.

Engagement Party Gifts

Traditionally, gifts are not expected at an engagement party. You can make that clear by adding a simple note at the bottom of the invitation: “Please, no gifts.”

If you’d like, you can prepare a small token of welcome for the groom’s mother, like a potted plant or a simple keepsake. It’s a thoughtful way to mark the beginning of your families coming together.

As mother of the bride, planning an engagement party is your first step in helping your daughter launch her new life. Keep it warm, simple, and joyful. The memories created here will set the tone for all the celebrations still to come.

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