Get everyone excited for the “I Do’s”? Check.

Introduce family and friends? Check.

Enjoy the company of the people you love? Check.

Here are the parties that are commonly hosted surrounding weddings:

The Engagement Party

What is it?

Getting engaged is exciting! These parties are thrown to celebrate the couple and to shower them in love and support. The engagement party can be one of the first times the family and friends of the couple meet. Toasts are common. Gifts are optional.

Who’s hosting?

The family of the bride used to host this celebration; however, most modern engagement parties are hosted by the couple or by close friends of the couple.

Who’s invited?

Family, friends, and the wedding party should be invited – but remember that if someone is invited to the engagement party, they’ll be expecting an invitation to the wedding!

Food for thought

Is the list of people to invite too long? Consider hosting an engagement open house, with a wide window of time to allow friends and family to come and go! This allows the bride and groom to spend more time with each guest as they arrive, instead of trying to juggle everyone at once.

The Bridal Shower

What is it?

The bridal shower is often more personal than the engagement party, and is hosted at a date near the wedding. Showers often have silly games (think: toilet paper wedding dresses), food and drinks, and gifts for the bride.

Who’s hosting?

The maid of honor traditionally hosts the bridal shower, although the mother of the bride might also assist in hosting.

Who’s invited?

Bridal showers are often “ladies only.” Invitees include the women who are family and friends of both the bride and the groom.

Food for thought

Jack and Jill showers have recently gained popularity. These showers include the groom and the male friends and family of the couple, as well as the ladies. Jack and Jill showers still include games and presents for the couple, and can even include “split time” where the women and men separate for a period before coming back together to celebrate.

The Bridal Luncheon

What is it?

As a “thank you” for being in the wedding party, a bride can host a special luncheon to show her gratitude and to present her bridesmaids with gifts.

Who’s hosting?

The bride hosts the luncheon, which may take place at a home or out at a restaurant.

Who’s invited?

These luncheons typically only include the bridesmaids, but can also include close members of the bride or groom’s family, such as mothers or grandmothers.

Food for thought

Luncheons at restaurants are lovely, but to make a bridal luncheon really “pop,” consider visiting a tea parlor! Dress up and dine on finger sandwiches for a “thank you” lunch that’s extra memorable.

The Rehearsal Dinner

What is it?

The rehearsal dinner is held the night before the wedding. A casual rehearsal of the wedding procession helps to ensure that the real deal goes smoothly for everyone in the party. These dinners are often held at a nice restaurant. The couple should expect toasts from loved ones and endless excitement for the Big Day to come.

Who’s hosting?

The groom’s family traditionally hosts the rehearsal dinner, but this rule is not set in stone; the family of the bride can assist in hosting.

Who’s invited?

Invitees include anyone in the wedding party, close family, and guests who have traveled to attend the wedding.

Food for thought

Choose a restaurant near a park or other outdoor space in order to have plenty of room to rehearse the ceremony. To make the evening even more special, have a photographer (or a dedicated friend with a camera) document the rehearsal dinner and snap candid pictures of the bride and groom as they mingle with guests.

The Post-Wedding Brunch

What is it?

Some couples still choose to venture off on their honeymoon right after the wedding reception, but the post-wedding brunch is rapidly gaining popularity. The brunch is hosted the morning after the wedding. These parties allow the couple to spend time with the people they might have missed the night before, and to enjoy the company of the guests who traveled to attend the wedding.

Who’s hosting?

The brunch is commonly hosted by the parents of the bride or by the happy couple.

Who’s invited?

Close family and out of town guests are invited.

Food for thought

The bride and groom can use the post-wedding brunch as an opportunity to stand up together and make a toast to the guests and family that made their wedding dreams come true.