Although not a wedding process ‘must-have’, Curt’s sister Melissa (one of six siblings) and her husband Jared were ever so gracious and threw us the best engagement party!  Because we were engaged in early November, we decided to celebrate in January to avoid holiday weekend conflicts.  Besides providing an available date and a guest list, my future in-laws did all the work.

Because this was a casual event, Melissa invited guests via the ‘World-Wide-Web’ using an Evite. Since our generation and our parents’ generation are so Internet dependent, it was a great way to get the word out and receive RSVPs in a timely and cost efficient manner (as Evites are free!). The guest list was kept to wedding party, immediate family and close friends.

The theme Melissa chose was “Lucky in Love”. She asked guests to bring scratch tickets in lieu of gifts for Curt and I.  This was so much fun!!  Guests do not have the added stress of finding and spending money on a gift, when they can instead spend as little as $1.oo at the gas station on the way in for a FUN and potentially lucrative gift for the couple so Lucky in Love. We had sore wrists after all our scratching and even walked away with a little dough. My mom presented us with our toasting flutes for our wedding ceremony.  I have been so tempted to break them out for a premature glass of bubbly, but am happy to report, MOM, that I’ve been a very patient girl!!

Melissa and Jared hosted the event at their home and provided appetizers and drinks (with some help from others…don’t be afraid to ask for help!!) and a yummy, yummy chocolate cake from Beaverton Bakery, which also added some party flair.  I wish I had a picture, but the topper was a graveyard scene which warned Curt of his soon to come wedded doom (hardy-har-har). During the party, guests were asked to write some marriage advice on slips of paper and drop them in a box at their leisure.  Another fun touch that made this party so special!

Melissa and Jared also hired a photographer, who they say they found on Craigslist.  He walked the house, taking candid pictures of guests, which was such a cool touch…but it got better! The guests were asked to make their way downstairs where the photographer had set up a ‘photo-studio’ out of lighting and a sheet backdrop.  Melissa and Jared has compiled a plethora of funny dress up clothes/props (old bridesmaid dresses, bras, aviator hat, sombrero, banana….etc) and the guests were all asked to find time to dress up and take plenty of pictures. So much fun!  I haven’t seen the pictures yet (for some reason I haven’t been allowed)…but here is a sneak-peak of Melissa’s husband Jared and their dog Brodie showing the camera some love:

{author’s personal collection}

We will remember this celebration for the rest of our lives as the first party during our wedding planning year!  We are so thankful to have such great family and friends who are as excited as us for the big day. We can never give enough Thank You’s!!