Engagement Party Guide
Planning an engagement party is the perfect excuse to celebrate your love and set the tone for your wedding festivities. It’s a chance to gather your closest friends and family, share your excitement, and officially kick off this new chapter in your lives. If you're a couple in Austin, Texas, or are tying the knot at Lone Star Oaks, you're in for an unforgettable event surrounded by the natural beauty and charm that this location offers. From selecting the guest list to choosing the perfect theme, venue, and menu, planning can feel overwhelming, but with the right tips, it can also be a joyful process.
How to Plan an Engagement Party in Austin, Texas
Planning an engagement party is the perfect excuse to celebrate your love and set the tone for your wedding festivities. It’s a chance to gather your closest friends and family, share your excitement, and officially kick off this new chapter in your lives. If you're a couple in Austin, Texas, or are tying the knot at Lone Star Oaks, you're in for an unforgettable event surrounded by the natural beauty and charm that this location offers. From selecting the guest list to choosing the perfect theme, venue, and menu, planning can feel overwhelming, but with the right tips, it can also be a joyful process. This Austin Texas engagement party guide is here to help you craft the ultimate engagement party, ensuring every detail—from the decor to the vibe—sets the stage for the celebrations ahead.
Before we get started, we’d love to introduce ourselves! As a small business wedding venue, we’ve had the honor of hosting hundreds of weddings and special celebrations over the years. We’re all about transparency when it comes to pricing, and we’re always happy to answer any questions you have—whether it’s before or during your venue tour.
Contact us today to check available wedding dates and schedule a tour of our space. While you’re here, don’t forget to browse our real wedding gallery for a little inspiration and a peek at some of our favorite past events!
10 Reasons to Plan an Engagement Party
Celebrate Your Love: Share the excitement of your engagement with family and friends.
Bring Everyone Together: An engagement party is a great opportunity for both families to meet and mingle.
Set the Tone for Your Wedding: It’s the chance to introduce your wedding style or theme.
Pre-Wedding Photos: Take stunning photos together at the party to document this milestone.
Share Your Proposal Story: Give your guests a chance to hear your engagement story firsthand.
Meet the Wedding Party: Introduce the bridal party to the larger group.
Enjoy Good Food and Fun: Who doesn’t love an excuse for a great meal and a glass of champagne?
Engagement Toasts: Give your close friends and family the chance to toast your future.
Break the Ice: Guests who meet now will feel more comfortable at your wedding.
Just Have Fun: Planning the actual wedding can be stressful; an engagement party is all about celebrating worry-free.
Elyse Bonner Photography
Who Gets Invited to an Engagement Party?
The guest list for your engagement party typically includes close family, best friends, and anyone you consider important in your life. Since this is a smaller event compared to the wedding, it’s okay to keep it intimate. Remember though, anyone invited to your engagement party should also be invited to your wedding.
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10 Engagement Party Traditions
Formal Invitations: Consider sending printed or digital invitations to set a formal tone.
The Toast: Expect heartfelt speeches from parents, friends, or even the couple.
A Themed Secret: Some couples like to subtly hint at the wedding theme.
Wanderlust Peaks Photography
4. Cake Cutting: It’s like a mini preview of your big day.
6. Custom Cocktails: Create a drink inspired by your upcoming union.
7. Engagement Games: Icebreakers like trivia about the couple are always a hit.
8. Ring Reveal: Showcase the sparkling ring to family and friends.
9. Flower Decorations: Start the wedding vibes early with beautiful blooms.
10. Welcome Gifts: Send guests home with small tokens of appreciation.
11. Photo Moments: Hire a photographer to ensure there are amazing memories of the night.
Wanderlust Peaks Photography
Who Pays for an Engagement Party?
Traditionally, the bride’s family hosts and covers the cost of the engagement party, but modern etiquette is more flexible. Sometimes, the couple themselves or friends pitch in. It’s also becoming increasingly common for everyone to share hosting duties, depending on the budget and circumstances.
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10 Reasons to Host Your Engagement Party at Lone Star Oaks
Lone Star Oaks is the premier rustic-chic venue to host your engagement party in the Texas Hill Country. Here’s why you’ll love it:
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Stunning Scenery: The backdrop of oak trees and the Texas landscape creates a romantic setting.
Indoor and Outdoor Spaces: Choose from cozy indoor areas or wide-open outdoor spaces.
Intimate Atmosphere: Perfect for hosting small, meaningful celebrations.
Exceptional Service: Their event staff will ensure your engagement party is seamless.
Photo-Worthy Views: Capture your engagement memories in a picture-perfect setting.
Exclusive Use of Venue: You’ll have complete privacy for your party.
Customizable Decor: Add your unique touch to match your wedding vision.
Flexible Catering Options: Enjoy the freedom to choose your favorite local caterers.
Convenient Location: Close to Austin while providing that quintessential Hill Country vibe.
Reputation for Excellence: Lone Star Oaks is praised by couples across Texas for its stunning events.
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25 Popular Engagement Party Restaurants in Austin
If you prefer to host your celebration at a local spot, check out these fantastic Austin restaurants for your engagement party.
Uchiko
Aba Austin
Mattie’s
Loro
Fonda San Miguel
Hestia
Jacoby’s Restaurant
Suerte
Olamaie
The Peached Tortilla
The Salt Lick BBQ (for a casual, iconic vibe)
Barley Swine
Juniper
ATX Cocina
TLC Austin
Odd Duck
Honey Moon Spirit Lounge
Sway
Perla’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
Carve American Grille
Contigo
Red Ash Italia
Deckhand Oyster Bar
Eberly
The Domain’s North Italia
Hosting an engagement party in Austin will kick off your wedding celebrations in style. Whether you host it at amazing venues like Lone Star Oaks or in one of Austin’s exciting restaurants, the key is to focus on what represents you as a couple.
Need some help planning? The staff at Lone Star Oaks is here for you! Book your engagement party at Lone Star Oaks and receive expert guidance to make it a night to remember.
To learn more or to schedule a tour, visit Lone Star Oaks today. If you're in search of a Texas Hill Country wedding venue featuring a chapel, outdoor wedding ceremonies and luxury indoor receptions, breathtaking setting for your wedding photographs, consider Lone Star Oaks as your destination. Contact us today to schedule a venue tour.
We are excited to showcase our beautiful wedding venue, including the enchanting chapel, picturesque outdoor ceremony area, elegant indoor reception spaces, and all the distinctive features they offer. You can find more images on our gallery, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Elyse Bonner Photography
Austin Wedding Venues: Engagement Party Guide
Congratulations on your engagement! Whether you're a couple from Austin, a Texas Hill Country local, or newly engaged and just love the charm of this vibrant city, planning an engagement party is an exciting first step in your wedding celebrations. To make the process smooth and memorable, we’ve shared some tips and insight on planning your Austin Wedding Venues: Engagement Party Guide
The Ultimate Guide to Planning an Engagement Party in Austin, Texas
Congratulations on your engagement! Whether you're a couple from Austin, a Texas Hill Country local, or newly engaged and just love the charm of this vibrant city, planning an engagement party is an exciting first step in your wedding celebrations. To make the process smooth and memorable, we’ve shared some tips and insight on planning your Austin Wedding Venues: Engagement Party Guide
Before we get started, we would like to share a little information about Lone Star Oaks wedding venue. As a small business wedding venue, we’ve had the privilege of hosting hundreds of weddings and special celebrations over the years. We are committed to transparent pricing and we’re happy to answer all your pricing questions prior to and during a venue tour.
Contact us today to check available wedding dates and book a tour of our venue. While you’re here, don’t forget to explore our real wedding gallery for inspiration and a closer look at our past events.
Blu Tree Studio
What Is an Engagement Party?
An engagement party is one of the first celebrations to honor your upcoming wedding. It’s a chance for your friends and family to come together, meet each other, and celebrate your exciting news. Traditionally, the couple’s families throw this event, but these days, it can be planned by close friends or even the couple themselves.
Think of it as a fun, casual (or formal, depending on your preferences) event that sets the tone for your wedding celebrations.
Blu Tree Studio
Who Gets Invited to an Engagement Party?
When creating your guest list, remember that an engagement party is usually a more intimate gathering. You’ll typically invite immediate family and close friends.
Here’s a general rule of thumb: Anyone who gets invited to the engagement party should also be invited to the wedding. While it’s not a hard-and-fast rule, it’s good etiquette to keep this overlap consistent.
If your wedding guest list is smaller, your engagement party guest list might mirror that. For larger weddings, you can still keep the engagement party intimate by focusing on core loved ones.
Blu Tree Studio
When Do You Have an Engagement Party?
Engagement parties are typically held within a few months of the engagement. This gives you enough time to spread the news and finalize a guest list without rushing into the event planning process too quickly.
To time it right, consider a date that works around your other wedding planning priorities. You want to ensure the engagement party is a moment to celebrate, not just another item to stress over.
Choosing a date that gives you time to celebrate while kickstarting the wedding planning process can help set the tone for everything that follows.
Blu Tree Studio
5 Reasons to Schedule a Wedding Venue Tour at Lone Star Oaks
Now that your engagement party is in motion, it’s a great time to start thinking about your wedding venue. If you’re considering a Texas Hill Country wedding, Lone Star Oaks might just be the perfect place for your big day. Here’s why booking a wedding venue tour should be on your to-do list right after your engagement party:
1. Get a True Feel for the Space
While photos and videos are helpful, they can never truly capture the essence of a venue. Taking a tour allows you to experience every detail and imagine how your wedding vision could come to life at Lone Star Oaks.
2. See the Full Wedding Day Flow
A tour helps you understand how your day will flow—from where you’ll say your vows to where your guests will dine and dance. At a venue like Lone Star Oaks, we walk you through every aspect, ensuring all your needs are met.
Elyse Bonner Photography
3. Ask Questions in Person
During a tour, you get the opportunity to speak directly with the venue team. Have unique ideas or concerns? This face-to-face interaction is invaluable when planning such an important event.
4. Discover Special Features
From stunning Hill Country backdrops to modern amenities, Lone Star Oaks offers unique features that could elevate your wedding day. A tour allows you to see everything the venue provides, so you can make informed decisions.
5. Feel the Magic of Your Venue
There’s something special about standing in the space where you might say “I do.” Visiting a venue like Lone Star Oaks in person lets you feel the magic and envision your unique day unfolding.
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Why Consider Lone Star Oaks for Your Big Day?
Located just outside Austin, Lone Star Oaks blends rustic charm with modern elegance, making it an exceptional choice for couples dreaming of a Texas Hill Country wedding. With gorgeous oak trees, flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, and a dedicated team, it’s a venue designed to make your special day flawless.
Book your tour today and discover the beauty and charm of Lone Star Oaks for yourself.
Elyse Bonner Photography
An engagement party is the perfect way to celebrate your love and start planning your wedding. With this guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating a memorable Austin, Texas engagement party and setting the stage for a wedding that’s just as magical.
Whether you're finalizing invites, choosing a date, or dreaming about the perfect venue, don’t forget to enjoy each step of the planning process. And if you’re ready to take the next step, Lone Star Oaks is here to help make your wedding dreams a reality.
To learn more or to schedule a tour, visit Lone Star Oaks today. If you're in search of a Texas Hill Country wedding venue featuring a chapel, outdoor wedding ceremonies and luxury indoor receptions, breathtaking setting for your wedding photographs, consider Lone Star Oaks as your destination. Contact us today to schedule a venue tour.
We are excited to showcase our beautiful wedding venue, including the enchanting chapel, picturesque outdoor ceremony area, elegant indoor reception spaces, and all the distinctive features they offer. You can find more images on our gallery, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Elyse Bonner Photography
Elyse Bonner Photography
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