Not every couple wants a grand event; some prefer a more intimate engagement party. For such celebrations, low-key and low cost engagement party ideas at home are what keeps things comfortable, memorable, and easy on the budget.
If you’re planning to celebrate your engagement in that way, this blog post is what you are looking for. Here we have 18 engagement party ideas at home to create a memorable engagement celebration, perfect for a close circle of family and friends.
6 Decorations as Engagement party ideas at home
Decorating your home for an engagement party can be both easy and affordable. With a few DIY touches, you can create a warm, inviting space for friends and family to celebrate. Here are 7 decoration ideas that will make your engagement party at home feel special, cozy, and intimate.
1. DIY Balloon Arch in the Couple’s Favorite Tones
A balloon arch in the couple’s favorite colors is one of the most easy and affordable engagement party ideas at home to start.
- You can find inexpensive balloon kits with strips that help form the arch shape.
- You can try soft pastels to bold hues, or any of your favorite colors
- Consider adding extra details like greenery or ribbons to make the arch more interesting.
2. DIY Photo Garland
A photo garland is a great decoration to showcase the couple’s journey together.
Simply print your favorite photos and string them up with clothespins along walls or above the main party area. This is an absolutely inexpensive yet sweet, sentimental touch that everyone will love.
3. Small String Lights
No decoration is simple yet effective more than String lights when it comes to creating a sparkling area for a party at home.
Choose string lights with a soft, cozy glow, then hang them on various positions throughout the party, like:
- Around doorways
- Across the ceiling
- Along walls
- Around garlands or floral arrangements
- Across the party tables
We bet this is one of the most affordable engagement party ideas at home that sets a romantic tone.
4. Floral Mason Jars
Want other engagement party ideas at home? Floral mason jars are a classic, beautiful touch for your party.
You can choose either fresh or artificial flowers, place them in the jars with some small greenery. Then, all you need to do is place the jars in the center on every table or in special spots around the room.
5. DIY Candle or Greenery Decor
Candles will never disappoint us as an engagement party ideas at home.
Especially, when we combine DIY candles with other greenery decorating elements, it just brings out a peaceful, natural vibe to an engagement party.
To do this decorating, arrange clusters of candles or small plants in various areas for a calming, warm glow. Some affordable options include:
- Eucalyptus or small succulents
- Simple tea lights or pillar candles
6. Picnic-Style Seating with Throw Pillows and Blankets
If you’re hosting your engagement party at home and want it to be a more relaxed and personal experience for everyone, consider using picnic-style seatings.
Arrange pillows and blankets around the floor or in your backyard, creating a cozy, casual space where guests can chat and relax.
All these 6 engagement party ideas at home help create a beautiful setting, adding warmth and charm without overspending.
6 Food and drink ideas for an Engagement party at home
Looking for some engagement party ideas at home? The right food and drink can make all the difference. We have 6 simple and affordable recommendations for you to keep everyone happy.
1. Self-Serve Charcuterie or Snack Board
A charcuterie or snack board is a great way to provide variety while keeping it affordable. Let’s place on the board a variety of tasty options, and present them as elegant as you want. You can fill the board with:
- A selection of cheeses (soft, hard, and spreadable)
- Crackers, nuts, and olives
- Fresh fruits and some sliced meats
These easy-to-assemble engagement party ideas at home are perfect for a private party.
2. “Build Your Own” Taco or Slider Bar
A taco or slider bar is another fun and affordable way to serve guests at your engagement party. This hands-on idea allows everyone to create their own meal, which adds a personal touch. Set up a few options like:
- Mini tacos or sliders with various fillings (beef, chicken, or vegetarian)
- Toppings like shredded cheese, salsa, lettuce, and guacamole
- Sauces and condiments for extra flavor
It’s one of the simple, low-cost engagement party ideas at home, ideal for a small gathering.
3. Mocktail Station
Set up a fun mocktail station with a variety of non-alcoholic options, like:
- Sparkling water or soda
- Fresh fruit juices: orange, cranberry, or lime
- Garnishes: mint, citrus slices, or berries
With these simple ingredients, everyone can make their own refreshing drinks and you can stay away from a big cost.
4. Mini Mimosa or Bellini Bar with Fruit Juices
Just like a mocktail station, a mini mimosa or bellini bar is another fun and affordable drink station. Offer a selection of:
- Fruit juices
- Sparkling water
- Fresh fruit, citrus slices
5. Personalized Food Labels with Stickers
Bring your food display to the next level with personalized food labels. These labels can be easily created with custom stickers to identify each dish.
- Try die-cut vinyl stickers to create DIY food topper by stick them on a plain toothpick flags
- Try UV DTF transfer stickers to label drinkwares – the extra durable stickers will pop up on any sturdy and smooth surfaces
These simple additions do nothing but make your food spread visually appealing and help guests know what they’re enjoying.
6. Signature Cookie Favors with Thank You Messages
Party favors are important things at any party. If you consider what are the suitable engagement party ideas at home when it comes to favors, send guests home with a sweet reminder of the day by offering personalized cookie favors.
Put flavored cookies in clear bags and make these packages more sentimental by sealing them with a custom “Thank You for Coming!” sticker.
The sticker will work best when you use them in circle form or in clear vinyl material. Custom die-cut stickers, circle stickers and clear stickers are best types that we always recommend to our customers when it comes to party favor labeling.
The stickers allow you to make your engagement party at home even more memorable.
6 Sentimental activities to do at a low-key Engagement party
For low-key engagement party ideas at home, carefully-chosen activities can add meaningful moments to the celebration. These 6 following ideas may help you create a warm, intimate atmosphere while giving guests a chance to interact and contribute to the couple’s special day.
1. Polaroid Photo Booth with Personalized Props
Creating a polaroid photo booth and giving your guests a chance to take memorable snapshots with you is one of the easiest-to-setup activities.
We recommend making the photo shoot extra personalized by using custom props. How to do it? Simple. You can DIY them using our vinyl stickers. Here are a few ideas for budget-friendly props:
- Custom face stickers that feature the couple’s faces in funny expressions
- Custom die-cut stickers sayings favorite catch phrases or funny quotes about love
- Other vinyl stickers of hearts, floral shapes, or playful graphics
All of these affordable DIY sticker props bring your photo booth a unique and personal touch, ideal for a sentimental engagement party at home.
2. DIY Floral Headbands or Corsages Station
How about setting up a DIY floral headband or corsage station which gives guests a chance to create something to wear during the party.
Provide them:
- Fresh flowers like roses, daisies, or baby’s breath
- Ribbons, pins, and wire for crafting
Guests can create their own accessories, and the couple can enjoy seeing everyone with their beautiful, handmade floral pieces.
3. Classic Board Games or Group Games
Board games are a great way to bring people together in a casual, fun way. They’re affordable, easy to set up, and can create plenty of laughs. Choose games that everyone can enjoy, such as:
- Charades
- Pictionary
- Monopoly or Scrabble
- …
This simple activity keeps things light and interactive, making them one of the best engagement party ideas at home.
4. At-Home Movie Screening
An at-home movie screening is a cozy and budget-friendly option for engagement party ideas at home. Romantic comedies or movies that hold a special place in the couple’s hearts are the greatest options. Don’t forget a comfy area with pillows and blankets for a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.
5. Engagement Scrapbook Station
An engagement scrapbook station is a creative and sentimental activity that allows guests to leave personal messages for the couple. Provide scrapbooking supplies like:
- Markers and pens to write heartfelt messages, share memories
- Custom stickers and washi tape to make fun decoration
- Instant cameras for take photos right at the party
6. Handwritten “Advice for the Couple” Cards
Set up a station for guests to write their best marriage advice or well-wishes on handwritten cards. Provide guests with prompts like:
- “The best way to celebrate honeymoon”
- “7 things to do when there is a disagreement”
- “Top 5 things wifes always like”
These notes may become the effective guide book that the couple can later look back on after their wedding.
The 6 activities we mentioned are simple and meaningful ways to celebrate an intimate engagement party. These engagement party ideas at home create lasting memories while keeping the vibe relaxed and intimate.
Last words
After exploring these affordable and sentimental engagement party ideas at home, you now have plenty of inspiration to throw a memorable celebration. Use the most suitable ideas from this list and create an intimate atmosphere that truly reflects your style.
Don’t forget to check out our other blog posts for more tips on bachelorette parties, bachelor parties, engagement invitations, themed weddings, and more. You’ll find plenty of ideas to help you plan every step of the wedding journey.