Oh me oh my, am I the worst bride-to-be on the planet?
::crickets::
But really though, I feel like I haven’t blogged at all about wedding prep, engagement stuff, &/or typical bride things. ERRR. BUT I swear, I’m trying to get better.
Since Michael & I got engaged a year & half-ish ago ( WEEEE! Time flies when you’re having fun! ), we have yet to have a proper engagement party.
So I made the executive decision that I’d do a rough draft of what it looked liked while sharing a sneak peek with you guys.
& uhm, Flaming Hot Cheetos were OBVIOUSLY included.
Anyway, I invited a few of my friends over & we did a ‘rough draft engagement party setup.’ By the way, no, this isn’t a thing that normal brides do. DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME FOLKS. I just wanted to share the process of what I’m thinking & feeling for when I do ( if I do? ) throw an engagement party.
& wow, being a bride-to-be is a lot of work. Just look at this to-do list ( I have to-do lists coming out of my ears ):
Lately I’ve been thinking about how I want my wedding band to look, so it was perfect timing when Hearts On Fire reached out & wanted to send me a couple of pieces. Especially since I was having an “engagement party.”
To be completely honest, I’m very much feeling a heavy band with a thin band that I’d wear separately from my engagement ring ( is anyone with me on this? I feel like stacking a million bands with an engagement ring is out, I would rather the stackable rings speak for themselves ). I wore my Hearts On Fire jewels while I threw my rough draft engagement party & became obsessed ( cough, cough MICHAEL ).
For the food & drink, we did a cheese plate, berries, Flaming Hot Cheetos ( duh ), chilled rosé, & tiny dark chocolate tarts. I played French jazz Spotify in the background & kept the vibe light and fresh with a couple of friends.
I think I’m going to make “rough draft engagement” parties a thing.
I feel like there’s no pressure so it’s way more fun, you know? Also, like I said it was important to include you guys so I made a little video so you can sort of, kind of feel like you attended my fake, but real, but fake party. See:
As I said before I’m not the best at being a bride to be…so question: I’m supposed to wear white, yes?
I felt like this white lace top was fun & flirty so I paired it with black, tight jeans & bright green shoes. All of which, I would rock to my final draft engagement party. For all of you who have done this before: is this appropriate?
Please feel free to put me in my place.
Between the gorgeous jewelry, relaxed vibe, & Cheetos, I’m coming around to the whole engagement party thing…sure, I’m two years late but who really cares?
TIPS FOR ME? Leave them below!
I really wish you could all come to our engagement party & mingle to smooth jazz over crushed raspberry mimosas. How’s your Saturday looking? Lol.
Cheers, xx lauryn
+ JEWELS: earrings | diamond band | seven stone band
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{ PC/VC }
Wait – it was that long ago that you got engaged?! Time flies when you’re having fun! I literally thought it was like 3 months ago lol
Hi Colleen, I know right! Where doe the time go?? Thanks for reading <3
We actually never had an engagement party. We didn’t want to spend more money on another party when the same people were invited to our destination wedding. It sounds strange but we just didn’t see a point.
Hi Jessie! So true! I still want to have one though. Are you glad you skipped it? Where was your destination wedding? Thanks for reading! xx
I wore a white dress to our engagement party, but honestly rock whatever you want !!
-Nicole @ Simply Nicole
http://simply-nicole.com
So true! It’s my party right?? LOL! Thanks for reading Nicole <3
I like the stack-able wedding band idea a lot. My engagement ring is really bling-bling, a large diamond in white gold. For my wedding band, I just wanted a simple gold band. They don’t “match” in the classic sense, but for every day I just wear my wedding band. It’s so much more practical, and I love regular gold too. And then I can wear the engagement ring for going out, having fun. I like having two separate rings. Also, I live in the Bay Area and take public transit to work, so a simple gold band is a lot more discreet.
Hi Jesse, your wedding band sounds so gorgeous! I think simple is chic and elegant. I’d love to see a pic! Send me on snapchat? un: @laurynevarts
Thanks for reading <3
We didn’t have an engagement party either. Or showers, or bachelorette anything. One day of attention was enough for us.
However, this rough draft party looked like a good time! Super chill.
Hi Emily, yes it was super chill. But I totally feel you on the one day is enough thing. Thanks for reading <3
I love the rings! Yes all the way on the different stackable bands! I might have to copy you 😉
Thanks Amanda <3 xx
Hi Lauryn!
I wore white to EVERYTHING before my wedding. I figured this was my time to be a bride, so I had to take advantage of it! We were engaged for 2 years when we got married, so your not alone! My biggest advice is to do what YOU want and keep things as stress free as possible. It is YOUR engagement, and everyone celebrating with you only wants to see you happy! Nothing else matters I promise!!
Hi Lydia, your comment is seriously EVERYTHING. Sometimes it’s hard to remember our wedding is OURS. Everyone is so excited, which is great and I appreciate it, but I don’t want to feel rushed or stress. We’re doing it in our own time. It works for us. Thank you!! xx
I am sooooooo excited because I was dying for an update!!!! Love the post
Thanks Breanne <3 xx
My advice: Do whatever the heck you want! It’s your engagement, your wedding, your marriage. Do what makes you happy – have fun – have a great marriage! 🙂
Thank you Julie!! You’re so sweet <3
We didn’t have an engagement party at all – I hadn’t actually been to one before, so it didn’t actually cross my mind as a “thing” to do before the wedding at all. I love that you guys threw a chill party as practice though – I love excuses to have friends over for some drinks & good food and hang out.
I LOVE Hearts on Fire – both my engagement ring & band are from them. I love how much they sparkle and how short the diamond is – the ones that are really tall always seem like such a nuisance!
Hi Stella, I totally agree. Hearts on Fire is PERFECT. I’m obsessed. Thanks for reading <3
I was engaged for 15 months. Wish we would have gone even longer. Never had an engagement party but drank lots of bubbly over those months to celebrate. Every trip we took we said we were celebrating our engagement because well we were and the hotels always hooked us up with well more bubbly….
LOL! Love it!! I’m totally using this. Such a great idea Nicole. Bring on the bubbly! xx
Clueless about wedding planning but this is a nice low-key option that your guests can really get excited about, since all things wedding are pretty taxing money-wise on your supporters but this is just a fun night to get together and worry about nothing. I support this.
xoxo
Dana
http://www.thexclass.com – a success blog
Hi Dana, so glad you like the idea. Thanks for reading <3 xx
Hey! I am so happy you are posting about wedding planning! I got engaged in July in Hawaii and recently had an engagement party. The party was Luau themed, and was so much fun! I wore all white, matching crop top and skirt, even white heels! My fiancé and I wore white leis, and everyone got colored ones. Our backyard was filled with tiki torches and the bartender made tropical cocktails. It was really fun!! I would wear and do whatever you want! You can make it personal and relatable to your engagement, or just throw a fun party! I would love to hear more about your wedding planning! I’m also planning on having my bachelorette in Cabo! ?
Hi Tali, your party sounds so fun. Do you live in Hawaii?? Sounds like your party was a blast. Congrats on your engagement! Thanks for reading <3
I was wondering where your rock was! LOL. The bands are beautiful, I really am into doing a band just everyday with my (future) rock on special occasions.
Glad to see you’re celebrating! Guac is a must at any party.
xo
Krista
http://www.hundredblog.com
Hi Krista, I totally agree: Guac and hot cheetos. Lol, kind of a strange combo but still, they are a must for me! Thanks for reading <3
I wore a teal pair of heels on my wedding! So definitely a bright green pair of pumps is OK for an engagement party!
Love the bands!
XoXo,
Tamara
Thanks Tamara <3
Well, I had my engagement party which ended in 1 hr.. only 10 people came.
I think you are too special to worry about “what is proper.” You do you BOO! That’s what makes you so flippen fabulous — you march to the beat of your own damn drum!
Thanks Tara <3 You're the best! xx
We didn’t have an engagement party at all, now I am wishing I had thrown a rough draft engagement party 😉 xx
Insta:@ourbaliwonderland
Throw a rough draft anniversary party?? LOL! Or a rough draft holiday party?? Just pick any occasion really! xx
I believe you should wear whatever color you want!! I think it’s fine to wear white to all of the parties that kind of naturally happen once you’re engaged and going to get married but totally a personal preference. For my Bridal Shower I wore a D&G colorful floral silk dress paired with a white tulle skirt over it to feel Bridal-y and it was a huge hit (so not all white).
For my 2 night Bachelorette party wore one white For Love & Lemons off the shoulder dress & one D&G sexy cheetah print dress.
Then for our rehearsal dinner the night before we got married I didn’t want to wear white (to my mom’s dismay at first!) as I would be wearing a white gown all day the following day/night so I wore a fab black and gold embellished Alice and Olivia party dress instead and loved it!
Do whatever makes you happy! The idea that “you must wear white to all bridal events” is a suggestion not a rule ;)!
Hi Sera, your bridal shower outfit seriously sounds SO fab. Actually, all of your wedding event outfits sound AMAZING! Did you take pics?? Send me on snapchat? un: @Laurynevarts
I need inspiration! Thanks for reading! xx
Yep, being a bride to be is a ton of work. I can’t wait to see the full party and of course would love to see more posts about your wedding prep
Dresses & Denim
SO much work! But fun too. Thanks for reading <3
I mean, practice makes perfect, right? So I think that means you should have many more rough drafts just to be sure. 😉 From this though it looks like whatever you put together will be fab!
xx
Carly
http://www.havingamoment.net/
I am so with you. I love stacking as many bands as I can. I would fill up my entire finger with diamonds if I could 🙂
Hi Lauren, What nail polish are you wearing in these photos? I’m looking for a new black polish (My OPI Onyx is just about empty)and the one you’re wearing looks very shiny. I love it!
Are you sponsored by cheetos?
No! LOL. I just LOVE them! Haha. x