Your partner has popped the question, and you said yes - it's time to celebrate! An engagement party is one of the best ways to commemorate this momentous news; a milestone occasion in your relationship. It’s a chance to gather your friends and family, show off that dazzling engagement ring, and allow everyone to mingle and get to know each other before the big day.
While you can't go wrong with a classic party, we know you’re looking for a way to make this celebration extra special. So, we’ve chosen a few unique engagement party ideas that will kick off your wedding journey in style. From sparkly soirees in grand stately homes, to laidback glamping experiences in the great outdoors, here are some of the best engagement party ideas to raise a glass and say ‘I do’ to. What’s more, each engagement party theme can be enjoyed in one of our large luxury houses in the UK, giving the happy couple and their chosen guests the chance to combine the celebrations with an inspiring break.
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“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”. The tradition of incorporating these four wedding must-haves is believed to bring couples good fortune and fertility, so why not incorporate them into your engagement party too, for a little extra luck? Not only is it a nod to a celebrated wedding tradition, but it’s also a unique theme and a chance to honour your family heritage. One of the most creative engagement party ideas in our list, why not showcase the theme with a sparkly vintage soiree? Encourage guests to delve to the bottom of their wardrobes for some of their finest outfits from the decades - those who are already married could even rock their wedding ensembles from their own special day. Accessorize the venue with family heirlooms and hire a vintage photo booth to capture the fun.
There's no grander way to honour this theme than in the engagement party venue itself. Rock-rose House is an elegant Georgian stately home dating back to the 16th century. Nestled within the North Pennines, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this magnificent party house is simply bursting with character. From the atmospheric drawing room with piano and roaring open fire to the billiards room with a full-sized billiard table, table football, table tennis, and sound system, there are plenty of glamorous spots for guests to mingle. There’s even a tennis court outside!
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Another spin on the famous wedding rhyme when thinking about engagement party colour ideas, is incorporating the ‘something blue’ element. The colour blue stands for love, purity and fidelity: three key qualities for a happy marriage. Decorate your chosen venue with an assortment of blue décor, from blue hues in the flowers to balloons, bunting and candles. You could tie your party invitations with blue ribbon, serve blue cocktails as guests arrive and have tables laden with cakes and desserts topped with powder-blue icing. Bonus points if guests come dressed in blue attire!
For the cherry on top of the wedding cake, why not book a blue venue for your ‘something blue’ party? Haven Villa is an impressive Italian-styled party house in the UK which has been painted in a striking shade of blue! A games room (with blue American pool table, of course) and bubbling hot tub in the garden add an extra touch of indulgence for your guests to enjoy.
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When it comes to relaxed engagement party ideas, it doesn’t get much more laidback than bringing together your loved ones to toast your upcoming nuptials at a sunny BBQ garden party. Simple to throw, easy to keep to a budget and perfect for preparing lots in advance, this casual gathering is a great way to celebrate your newly acquired fiancé/e status. Best of all, you can leave the future fathers-in-law to man the grill while you catch up with friends and family. Deck the garden with romantic string lights, cushions and bunting, create a chalkboard menu of the dishes being cooked up, and include stations for guests to mix cocktails or add toppings to their desserts. And don’t forget the garden games: croquet, lawn tennis and swing ball will keep everyone endlessly entertained.
Set within 1.4 acres of mature established gardens, the extensive outdoor space at The Old Manor House, one of our finest celebration houses, is perfect for hosting an engagement BBQ party. The large gardens of this opulent house boast a large terrace with a BBQ, alongside garden furniture, outdoor games and a full-size grass tennis court! In the summer house, you’ll also find a 3-metre heated swim spa/hot tub for adding a touch of luxury to your garden party. Just bring the food and decorations, and the celebrations can get underway!
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If you’re an outdoorsy couple who also loves a little luxury, why not consider a night or two of glamping with your nearest and dearest? One of the best informal engagement party ideas, you can look forward to outdoor activities, party games and toasting marshmallows around the campfire. With all the fun of camping, yet all the indulgence of staying in a boutique hotel, glamping makes for the most unique way of celebrating an engagement. Stock the fridge with plenty of fizz, get the tunes pumping and bring plenty of games to keep everyone entertained the whole night through.
Skip the usual party house rentals and opt for a glamping experience that none of your guests will forget at Black Mountain Skies in the Brecon Beacons. These three spacious safari tents enjoy an exceptional spot within the rolling Monmouthshire countryside on a small family farm. After greeting the friendly alpacas, pour some refreshing jugs of fruity punch and sink into the three exclusive hot tubs. There’s plenty of outdoor space to enjoy the games provided, including boules, cricket and swing ball, plus a variety of comfy seating areas to make the most of the views.
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Start your honeymoon early by taking your loved ones on an adventure around the world with you. Travel is all about creating lifelong memories and is a rite of passage for any couple, therefore a travel-themed engagement party is a fitting way to celebrate your love as you prepare to embark on your greatest adventure together in life. This theme is especially perfect if you and your fiancé got engaged while on holiday as you can recreate some of the memories you shared at this special time. Engagement party decoration ideas could include globes, maps, posters, photos and postcards from the countries you have been to together (or hope to go), souvenirs from previous adventures, and an assortment of exotic travel memorabilia. Send out passport-themed invitations, serve up globally inspired dishes and drinks, and play international music hits.
Yeoldon House is one of our favourite large houses to rent for parties in Devon, flaunting mesmerising views across the River Torridge and estuary. An open-plan lounge and dining area with a bar is perfect for hosting a globetrotting-themed engagement party, and a sound system allows you to get those tropical tunes flowing. On a fine day, you can continue the party outside to make the most of the scenery or venture to the beach which is only 2 miles away.
If you are looking for the perfect venue for an engagement party, then our portfolio of large houses to rent for parties in the UK offer up a plethora of possibilities. From rural retreats in Scotland to coastal hideaways in Cornwall, our large and luxurious houses have everything you need to host a special celebration in style.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.