Unless you're eloping, you probably have to announce your engagement somehow, right? Maybe you'll have a stereotype-toppling engagement photo session or maybe you'll send out engagement announcements, or maybe... you'll ask yourself, "should I have an engagement party?"

Is a engagement party required? Hell nah. Can it be cool? Hell yeah! There are loads of pre-wedding party opportunities though, so here are some pros and cons to throwing an engagement party if you're on the fence about this one.

Pros to an engagement party:

• Engagement parties allow you to announce your engagement in a fun way. Who doesn't love a party (especially if someone else is throwing it!)?
• You can use it as an opportunity to surprise your guests with the news, if you can concoct another reason to get them all there.
• It gives enthusiastic family or friends the chance to throw a party. Sometimes people just WANT to do it. Why not let them?
• They can be the gateway drug to introducing the family members who haven't met yet. You can see how everyone interacts prior to the wedding, which may make the table assignments easier, if you're doing that.
• The party lets guests celebrate who may not be able to attend the wedding, especially if you're having a destination wedding.
• If you're planning it yourself, it can be a great dry-run for planning the wedding. You'll get all your organization down and see where communication can be improved.
• It can allow you extra mingling time if you're planning a large reception where you'll have trouble spending time with everyone.
• It allows you to enjoy the initial burst of excitement about being engaged.

Cons to an engagement party:

• You may get caught having to invite everyone from your engagement party to the wedding, which can be awkward if your wedding is small and your party is not.
• You have to get your wedding guest list organized earlier than you may have planned.
• Can be a lot of work, a lot of money, and a lot of extra stress.
• You may end up fielding a lot of suggestions about the wedding itself, but we've got tips for that, too!

BOTTOM LINE:

If you WANT an engagement party, there are lots of pros, especially if someone is going to throw one for you. Otherwise, you may want to just start planning the wedding itself and send out some cute engagement announcement cards instead or throw a small get together at a bar for your closest pals. A tiny party isn't a lesser party.

What are YOUR pros and cons for doing an engagement party?