Get Ready for Engagement Season: Your Ultimate Inspiration for Planning the Perfect Party
An engagement party is the perfect way to kick off the journey from “yes” to “I do.” Before jumping into the planning, take some time to relish the excitement of being newly engaged. Enjoy the calm before diving into the details. Ideally, this celebration takes place within a few months of the proposal while the excitement is still fresh and the confetti has just settled.
“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” — Audrey Hepburn
A focused vision is your True North.
We caught up with Marissa Pedone, owner of Marissa Pedone Events, LLC. Known for her collaborative approach, she’s highly sought after—her passion for event design and meticulous attention to detail result in beautiful celebrations.
Marissa reveals two stylish party themes she predicts will be trending in 2025:
Boho Chic
This theme combines earthy tones, natural textures, and lace with a relaxed, effortless vibe—think rattan chairs, pampas grass, and macramé accents. It is perfect for outdoor or coastal spaces, modern lofts, or destinations for couples who love travel, with lush greenery and wildflowers tying the look together.
Preppy Glam
Blend classic sophistication for a stylish and fun event. The look features crisp stripes, vibrant pops of color, and monogrammed accents, all adding a touch of preppy sophistication. Venues like upscale country clubs, The International Tennis Hall of Fame, or nautical locations overlooking the water set the stage for a posh fete.
The engagement party is one of the first chances for you as a couple to showcase your unique design style.
The Menu
Strolling Cocktail Receptions
An evening filled with endless food, drinks, and revelry is a top priority, with custom party-centric weddings on the menu for 2025. The culinary experience is three-dimensional, a journey of the couple’s tastes, preferences, and shared experiences. Imagine this: that unforgettable first date meal, now transformed into bite-sized wonders, offering a charming peek into the couple’s unique love story. Jason Veilleux, Senior Executive Sous Chef at The Catered Affair, shares, “We consider seasonality an essential factor in helping our clients taste and choose the best ingredients. We want to provide our guests with the freshest components and offer a culinary experience that corresponds with the vision of their special event.” Strolling receptions break away from the norm and promise to add an extra layer of excitement and socializing to the celebration.
Plant-based popsicles with savory spices.
A creative and visually appealing food presentation turns dining into an immersive experience. When the food looks as good as it tastes, it leaves a lasting impression and adds an element of surprise and delight for the guests.
Bespoke Cocktails
Signature cocktails will continue to thrive, but now with a twist—personalized beverage experiences! Whether DIY cocktail bars or having a mixologist create drinks that reflect the couple’s favorite places or memories, this trend blends creativity with nostalgia. Be sure to include zero-proof options that are as enticing as their liquor counterparts.
Stylish Bars
A well-designed bar contributes to the vibe of the engagement party. Whether elegant, modern, or playful, the bar’s style reflects the overall mood and leaves a solid first impression. Drinks served from a unique bar taste great and feel special. Renting a bar with a chic setup and attractive glassware adds sophistication to the experience, making each drink feel like a crafted moment.
Kickstarting the Planning Process
An engagement party marks the official start of a couple’s wedding festivities. It allows loved ones to share the excitement and offer congratulations in a more intimate, informal setting before the wedding. These parties Engagement parties bring together friends and family from both sides, helping them get to know each other before the big day. It fosters connections between future in-laws and friends, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere that continues into the wedding. Engagement parties help ease into the wedding planning process. It’s often the first time the couple will host a formal celebration as an engaged couple, giving them experience in planning, budgeting, and working with vendors before the wedding.
Contact us when you’re ready to begin planning your dream wedding. For more inspiration, follow @thecateredaffair.
Kori Carter Gillespie, Director of Brand Marketing at @thecateredaffair in Boston, Massachusetts, is a dedicated content writer passionate about crafting compelling brand narratives, particularly for boutique lifestyle brands.