Engagement season is upon us once again! If you are newly engaged, or soon to be, we want to be among the first to say, Congratulations! Although that glittering announcement proclaiming that your partner said YES tends to swing all thoughts immediately toward plotting your wedding day celebration, we want to encourage you to stop and celebrate the thrill of this moment—let’s talk Engagement Parties!
At Capers, we love catering engagement parties—they capture a spontaneous spirit that revels in the here and now, an enviable ability to take shape quickly, and the luxury of a virtually carefree planning experience as couples and their families ride the exciting, anticipatory wave of the larger wedding celebration on the horizon.
Below, Capers Owner & Founder Emma Roberts shares her top tips to make your engagement bash a truly unforgettable, and effervescent experience…
Celebrate Soon!
Harness this moment when you’ve just said YES and host your party while the engagement buzz is still in the air.
Start With A Cocktail Soiree
Engagement parties tend to be cocktail parties with heavy hors d’oeuvres—often spanning from around 6pm to 8pm. Consider extending those hours, adding a DJ, two food stations, and as the night goes on, passed desserts. Manned food stations are always a hit—some of our top crowd favorites include Sushi Rolled to Order, a Taco Bar, a Parmesan Wheel-Pasta Toss with Truffle Crème… Personalize it by featuring dishes that tie in to your hometowns or family ethnicities. We’ll work with you to create the perfect customized menu that’s uniquely you.
Keep It Intimate…and Invite Everyone
To ensure you can include everyone you love in your celebration, but make it a little extra-special for those closest to you, start with a seated dinner for immediate family, then open it up to all friends at 8pm—complete with a DJ, passed and stationary appetizers for this second wave of celebrants, and ever-popular late-night passed desserts.
Give it a Theme
Whether you make it a white party or weave in story threads from your engagement, adding a thematic element is always fun. Got engaged on an island vacation? Feature island-inspired menu items and décor. Captured photos of the moment you said yes? Turn them into posters, party favors, or other customized party elements. Planning to host your wedding overseas? We’ll work with you to create a menu featuring dishes from that destination.
Add An Extra Splash of Fun
Our favorite splash of fun will always be Penny Lane—Olive & Twist Mobile Bar’s VW Westfalia star. Ever the diva, she only comes out to play from spring through late fall. Other fun elements to layer in with or without Penny include custom-printed matchboxes, napkins, cocktail drinkware, or other items. Some couples create a family crest, a simple monogram, or feature a nod to their pets.
Create Signature Cocktails
Weave any of the above elements into inspiration for craft cocktails and mocktails that are perfectly you. Whether you feature each of your go-to drinks, or something that ties in to your pets, your engagement, or your future wedding plans, choosing something that represents you will always be a winner.
Whichever direction you choose for your engagement fête, we’ll recommend a list of excellent event planners to take your soiree to the next level if your budget allows, or if you’re party-planning yourself, we’ll guide you through key details to enhance your celebration.
We can’t wait to meet you, hear your unique engagement story, and help you celebrate this truly magical moment in life. Congratulations again!
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