Congratulations on your engagement! Such an important event calls for a celebration, so let's talk about your engagement party! Would you like to host an elegant dinner for the family at a fine dining restaurant in River Oaks? Or maybe you’re planning a laid-back party with just your friends and you’re looking for a bar in Montrose? Whatever your preference, H-Town has venues for all types of celebrations, from the most sophisticated to low-key and casual. Have a look at Tagvenue’s selection of the best engagement party venues in Houston and get ready to show off that ring!
The big question has been popped, so now it’s time to break the news to everyone you know and let them share the joy and excitement! Not sure how to plan your engagement party? We’ve got some tips and tricks up our sleeves and are willing to share.
While it is customary to have an engagement party, it is totally optional and up to the couple! So, don’t feel pressured to throw one if you’re not feeling it. A lot will depend on your wedding budget – whether you’ve got enough funds to spare to go ahead with the pre-wedding celebration.
Speaking of which, let us add a little reminder here that you don’t have to throw an engagement party the size of your actual wedding. It can be as elaborate and sumptuous or as intimate and low-key as you wish! Above all, engagement parties create an opportunity for your guests to meet and get to know each other before the wedding. And you get to practice your event planning skills, which you’ll use a lot in the months leading up to the big day.
Since you landed on this page and you’re browsing engagement party venues, we assume you’re in the mood to celebrate! So, let’s make sure your party is a hit that everyone remembers for years to come!
Wondering about engagement party etiquette? Here are some tips and ideas to get you started and help you plan a top-notch celebration!
Decide who’s hosting
Before we dive into the party planning tips, let’s get this crucial question out of the way first: who’s throwing the engagement party? If you want to stick to tradition, it is typically the bride’s parents who take on the role of hosts. But really, there are no hard and fast rules and anyone can host the party, even the couple themselves. The most important part is communication. So discuss this matter early on and agree on who’s going to be responsible for organizing the party.
Consider the budget
Now that you know who’s in charge, it’s time to talk about the budget. And by that we mean the entire wedding budget. Take some time to estimate all of your wedding-related spendings from now up until the big day itself. If you have some spare funds, go ahead with the engagement party! While planning the budget, think about whether you’ll be having just one or multiple engagement parties. It’s common to have more than one party, e.g. a formal dinner for the family and a laid-back celebration for friends. Whatever you decide, remember that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to organize a memorable event in Houston. In fact, the city offers a whole bunch of cheap engagement party venues, so once you know your price range, come check them out on Tagvenue.
Set the date
The next important detail to figure out is when to host the engagement party. Again, it’s mostly up to the couple’s preference. Some couples like to throw their party as soon as they get engaged, while others prefer to take some time to themselves before they celebrate with others. If you’re planning a prolonged engagement, it’s also okay to wait. But don’t wait too long to plan! As soon as you know the date, notify your guests and begin looking for a venue.
Make a guest list
Now you need to think about who you’re going to invite. The guest list should be limited to people who are also going to be invited to the wedding. Apart from that, you decide: have a huge party or stick to family and closest friends only. Once you know who you’re inviting, let them know. There’s no need to send formal, paper invitations (unless you want to!). You can opt for an e-vite instead. Whichever option you choose, ask your guests to confirm whether they’ll be able to attend. Knowing the number of guests is crucial to booking a venue with the perfect amount of space.
Choose the venue
Speaking of venues, finding the perfect one is definitely on top of your engagement party to-do list! If you get this right, it’s already half the success. So, how should you go about this? First of all, determine what type of engagement party you’d like to have: is the event going to be more on the formal or casual side? If you’re planning an elegant celebration, consider booking a space in one of Houston’s restaurants with private rooms. And if you’re looking for something more laid-back, how about renting a bar? If you feel like dancing, you can book a club or a live music venue. Or, how about a charming private garden or an intimate patio? Your options in Houston are endless, so think about what you want, then use Tagvenue’s smart search engine and filters to find a space that matches your vision.
Take care of the mood
A successful party is all about creating the perfect mood. Of course, this will be influenced to a great degree by the type of venue you choose. But you can also add a few personal touches with decorations. Floral arrangements, candles and fairy lights work great for engagement parties. You could create a nice playlist to play in the background (but not too loud, so that your guests can actually talk and get to know each other).
Pick the menu
Last but not least, plan what you’re going to eat and drink. You can have a traditional plated meal, prepare a buffet table or just serve appetizers. One thing’s for sure – you’ll never run out of amazing food options in Houston! Whatever culinary adventure you’d like to embark on during this special evening, the city has plenty of venues ready to satisfy your palate. Just remember to ask your guests about potential dietary restrictions to make sure everyone leaves your event happy.
Prices for renting an engagement party venue in Houston will vary depending on the venue’s size and standard, among other things. For example, you can book a table for $15 per hour if you’re planning a small gathering or an entire venue that can host 100+ for $3500 per hour. If you’re looking for venues with on-site catering, most of them will have a food and beverage minimum, starting at $400 and reaching up to $7500. If you’re looking for all-inclusive package deals, they typically range from around $20 to $92 per person. (All data from Tagvenue.)
Check out Tagvenue’s top three:
Many neighborhoods in Houston are filled with excellent party venues perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for something elegant or casual, there’s plenty of choice in buzzing Downtown. Neighboring Midtown is a little bit more quirky, with great restaurants and trendy nightlife spots. Montrose is a great place to check out if you’re into hip and artsy vibes. And how about celebrating your engagement with a fine dining event in River Oaks? If you want to host the party just outside the Loop, Uptown is your best bet. And if you’d like to book something further away from the hustle and bustle, try locations such as Spring Branch or Memorial.
Absolutely! Houston’s warm climate makes it a great location for outdoor events, and there are many beautiful outdoor venues that will make your engagement party stand out. Why not try one of these: