Engagement Party Venues for Rent in New York City

If you want to make your engagement party in New York magical, we’ve got a few aces up our sleeves and are willing to share! But first, let’s start with the basics:

What is the purpose of an engagement party and should you have one?

The purpose of throwing an engagement party is to celebrate the important life milestone of getting engaged. It’s also a chance for future wedding guests to get to know one another before the big day. It’s an excuse to get together, enjoy some food and drinks, and simply share this special occasion. However, don’t feel pressured to hold an engagement party if you’re not feeling it.

Once the emotions have settled and you’ve broken the exciting news to all your nearest and dearest, sit back and consider if and how you’d like to celebrate. It’s a good idea to start by setting your budget. And by that we mean all the wedding expenses from this point until the big day itself. If you end up with some money to spare and decide to go ahead with the engagement party, read on to discover our tips and best practices!

How to plan an engagement party

Planning an engagement party can be a good warm up before you get to the real deal and start planning your wedding. There are many questions to ask yourself when you’re preparing for the celebration, so let’s dive right in:

• Who throws the engagement party? According to tradition, it’s the bride’s parents who host the engagement party. However, nowadays the rule is definitely more flexible. It can be the groom’s family or some mutual friends. And if the couple want to host their own engagement party themselves, that’s also fine! 
• When to have an engagement party? Some say it’s best to throw your engagement party right away, while others give 2 to 4 months as the optimal time for celebration, so you can have a pause to take it all in before you dive into the planning process. Of course, the date of your engagement party may also depend on the date of your wedding. If you’re having a long engagement, the celebration can wait a little longer too.
• Who to invite to an engagement party? Some couples decide to throw a huge party for everyone they’re going to invite to the wedding, while others go for small get-togethers with just their closest family and friends. However, engagement party etiquette says that you should only invite the people who will also be on the guest list for the actual wedding party. Depending on the style of celebration you’re going for, you can send out formal invitations or choose a more casual option, such as e-vites.
• How to choose an engagement party venue? One of the most important things to make any party great is finding the right space. So how do you do that? We’ve already talked about your budget – this is definitely going to be one of the decisive factors. Set your maximum price using Tagvenue’s smart filters and browse our listings of party spaces that fall within your range. If you’ve already figured out your guest list, you can also filter venues according to capacity to find the right-sized one.
  Try to think about the ambiance – depending on the style you’re going for, you could choose a Michelin-starred restaurant or a local bar with an easy-going vibe. The venue’s surroundings are also worth considering. Would you rather host your engagement party in a lively neighborhood or perhaps you’d like to rent a space in one of New York’s quieter areas?
  Last but not least, food and drinks. Decide whether you’re looking for a venue that offers in-house catering or would you prefer to take care of that side of your event yourself? If you choose the latter, ask your venue manager about their BYOB policy. Generally, external catering can be a good way to save some money, but sometimes venues ask for an extra fee if you go for this option.
• How to decorate an engagement party venue? As with all the other party planning steps, this one’s completely up to you. Go for something as simple or as elaborate as you wish. Leave it to the venue, use the services of a professional decorator or decorate the venue yourself to cut down the costs. Fresh floral arrangements, candlelight and maybe some fairy lights to set the mood will usually do the trick.
• What to do at an engagement party? It’s best to keep things casual. As we’ve already mentioned, one of the reasons for hosting an engagement party is for your guests to break the ice and get to know each other. So create opportunities to chat and mingle, and keep the music to a low level so that people can have comfortable conversations. And don’t worry, you’ll have a chance to go all out on your wedding day!

Engagement Party Venues in New York City FAQ

How much does it cost to throw an engagement party in New York?

The costs of renting an engagement party venue in New York City typically range from around $450 to $2000 per hour. Bear in mind that these fixed rental fees usually don’t include catering and decorations, so you’ll have to set aside some part of your budget to cover those. However, you can also find affordable all-inclusive package deals, with prices falling anywhere between $30 to $85 per person. (All data from Tagvenue.)

What are some of the best engagement party venues in New York City?

Celebrate getting engaged in one of these New York venues:

• Gran Morsi - Choose this Tribeca restaurant for tasty Italian bites and simple yet elegant interiors. You can throw your engagement party in the main dining room, rent the restaurant’s private event space or host your celebrations on the covered terrace.
• Santo Brúklin - Located in the heart of Carroll Gardens with great public transport links, Santo Brúklin is a homely, small bistro with an indoor bar area and a lovely backyard with retractable walls and ceilings that make it an ideal party spot all year round.
• St Tropez Soho - A French restaurant and wine bar located in the heart of lively Soho. Have a taste of the French Riviera and celebrate your future union in a warm and relaxing atmosphere.

What is an appropriate gift for an engagement party?

Engagement party gifts are usually optional. Naturally, some guests will want to show up with a gift as a nice gesture, so it’s okay for the couple to complete a registry for those who would like to stick to the gift-giving custom. Typically, engagement party gifts tend to be small and sentimental. It can be something simple, such as a congratulations card, a nice bottle of wine or a pretty bouquet.

What to wear to an engagement party?

Match your choice of clothing to the party’s setting and general vibe. A cocktail dress code is the most popular for engagement parties but the rules are not set in stone, so if the party itself is going to be more casual – so can your outfit. It is typical, but not mandatory, for the bride-to-be to dress in white or cream, and her partner’s outfit should be somehow complementary to hers. When it comes to the guests, a good rule of thumb is not to wear white. Apart from that, the guidelines are rather flexible.