23 mind-blowing ideas to host an impressive engagement party on a budget!

Are you planning your engagement party but concerned that you won’t be able to afford it? No need to panic! 

There are plenty of ways to throw a great party without breaking the bank. 

With creativity, you can make your engagement party memorable without spending a fortune. So get started planning your engagement party on a budget!

Before we dive in, let’s talk about the differences between an engagement party vs a wedding shower.

Engagement party vs Wedding Shower

The difference between a wedding shower and an engagement party is when they take place and who they’re for.

The bride’s family or friends would host a couple’s wedding shower. 

Traditionally, the bride’s parents would host the engagement party for the couple. 

But, nowadays, close friends, relatives, or the couple-to-be can host the engagement party.

Usually, engagement parties happen 3-6 months after popping the big question.

With an engagement party, you can invite fewer guests and have a more intimate atmosphere.

If you want to throw a bachelorette party, later on, you can still do so since you opted to throw an engagement party. 

Reasons you may want to throw an engagement party.

-No pressure for guests to buy the couple gifts

-You want to avoid having too many events close to your wedding date. You can have more time to save money for your bachelorette party if you choose to have one too! 

-You can still celebrate as a couple without the pressure of following traditions. 

-You want to celebrate your engagement with a smaller group of people 

-You want to celebrate your engagement but don’t want the hassle of planning a wedding shower.

Bottomline, If you prefer parties over showers, consider throwing an engagement party. 

Now that you know the differences between these pre-wedding events, let’s move on to the topic.

Engagement party themes 

When choosing an engagement party theme, (keep it simple silly, KISS). 

Pick an easy party theme that won’t cost you a lot to execute.

Your engagement party theme sets the tone for the entire event so choose wisely!

Not sure what engagement party theme to choose?

If so, check out these easy engagement party theme ideas below:

1. Fall in love 

Throw a fall-themed engagement party to celebrate the season of love. 

An autumn theme is perfect if you’re planning a rustic engagement party. Set the stage by decorating with Autumn leaves, gourds, and pumpkins. 

Serve seasonal drinks like apple cider and hot chocolate. For food, offer warm appetizers and comfort foods. 

Winter engagement parties are becoming more popular because they can be very inexpensive. 

Take advantage of the winter weather and have your engagement party indoors.

Be sure you have plenty of engagement party decorations to make it feel festive.

2. Picture Perfect

Decorate with photo frames, Polaroids, and other camera-themed decorations. 

Display engagement photos around the party space. Have a photo booth set up for guests to take fun pictures. Serve foods that are easy to eat so guests can hold a prop in one hand and food in the other.

3. Love is sweet

Treat your guests to an engagement party with a candy or dessert buffet. 

Use party decor with lots of colors and sugar-themed decorations. Offer your guests a variety of sweets and small cakes. 

4. A perfect match

A picnic engagement party is ideal for couples who love being outdoors. Pack a picnic blanket with Mason jars, wildflowers, and other rustic decorations. Serve picnic foods like sandwiches, salads, and fruit.

Don’t forget to give your guests personalized matches as your engagement party favor.

5. Taco about love

 Celebrate your engagement with a fun taco party. Serve a variety of tacos and Mexican-themed foods. 

6. The hunt is over 

If you and your fiancé love to go on adventures, throw an engagement party with a scavenger hunt.

Send guests on a scavenger hunt around the party space. The first team to find all the items wins a prize. 

7. Big apple of my eye 

An NYC-themed party is a perfect theme for couples who love the city. Decorate your party space with skyline and city-themed decorations. You can also serve street food from different NYC boroughs!

Since street food is cheap, You can serve street food favorites like mini hot dogs or soft pretzels.

8. Scrabble theme party (Game night-themed engagement party). 

Hang up large Scrabble pieces around your party space. Make your engagement party invitations using Scrabble tiles. 

9. Engagement beach bash

If you love the beach, celebrate your engagement with a beach party. Buy party decor that has seashells and sand to match other beach-themed decorations.

You can serve your friends fresh fruits, tropical cocktails, and shrimp cocktails.

To cut costs, you can have a beach-themed cocktail party so you won’t spend most of your budget on party food.

10. Next Chapter 

A book theme party is perfect for couples who love to read. Use book pages, paper lanterns, and other book-themed decorations to decorate your space. 

Consider making your engagement party invitations by hand-stamping book pages. Share your love story with your party guests.

11. Stuck together

A cactus-themed party is perfect for couples who love the desert. Buy cacti, succulents, and other desert-themed decorations to pull off this engagement party theme.

12. Butter together

Plan an engagement brunch and serve waffles or pancakes. You can get creative and create butter sculptures in the shape of engagement rings. Hang up engagement photos and other breakfast-themed decorations.

13. All in

A casino-themed party is perfect for couples who love gambling or playing card games. Decorate with casino-themed decorations like poker chips, playing cards, and dice. 

Set up card games and casino-style games like roulette. To save money on your party, stick to card games that don’t require your guest to bet or gamble with real money.

14. Main Attraction (Carnival-themed engagement party). 

You can put a few backyard games out. You have guests play engagement ring toss. 

Engagement party venues

According to peerspace.com, the average cost to rent an engagement venue is $160 per hour. So, if you rented the space for 4 hours, it would cost you $640. 

$640 is a steep price to rent an engagement party venue, but don’t worry. Look for engagement party venues that offer seasonal discounts. 

You can find cheaper engagement venues by renting space from a friend or family member. 

Check out these tips for how to find affordable engagement party venues.

15. Stay local

One way to save money on your engagement party venue is to host it at a local garden or community center.

16. Have your engagement party at a park

If you want to host an outdoor engagement party, consider having it at a local park. You can bring your food and drinks and set up tables and chairs.

Pick a nice spot near a gazebo, pedestrian bridge, or a miniature waterfall for photo ops. 

Make sure you check with the park ahead of time to see if you need a permit.

It’s much cheaper to get a park or garden permit than rent a venue for your engagement party. 

17. Rent an engagement venue for a flat fee

If you decide to rent an engagement party venue, try to find one that offers a flat fee. 

This way, you’ll know exactly how much to spend on the venue. You won’t have to worry about hourly charges as well.

18. Take advantage of the venue’s scenic views

If you’re renting an engagement venue, pick one with scenic views. 

Many engagement venues have beautiful gardens or views of a city skyline. 

If your engagement party is during the day, take advantage of the natural light and get some great photos.

19. Host a backyard engagement party

You can set up tents, tables, and chairs in your backyard. Host a low-budget engagement party in your backyard that your guests will adore!

20. Ditch the idea of renting an engagement venue altogether  

Have your engagement party at a restaurant, bar, or coffee shop.

This way, you won’t have to worry about setting up lots of engagement party decorations. 

Cheap engagement party ideas

21. Rent a limo

Opt for a luxury limo ride around the town instead of renting an engagement venue. You can pick up your party guests and take them on a city tour. Limo rides are a great way to show off your city and celebrate your special day.

Pro tip: It’s cheaper to rent a black or gray limo than a white one. 

22. Avoid buying personalized engagement napkins

You can save money by avoiding buying personalized engagement napkins. 

I got to admit, I like the idea, but they are a complete waste of money.

If you want your napkins to match your party decor, buy colored napkins from the dollar store instead. 

23. DIY your engagement party banners and garlands

You can save money on your engagement party by creating engagement banners.

There are many ways to make your engagement party banners and or party garlands. 

You can use engagement party templates and printables from websites online.

As you can see, you don’t have to let the idea of planning a cheap engagement party stress you out.

There are plenty of great ideas out there that will save you money to celebrate your special occasion.

Now that you read about a few of them, which ones will you try?

Leave your comment below and let me know!

As always,

Happy celebrating!