What is an engagement party?

An engagement party is a special celebration for the engaged couple, usually held soon after they've announced that they're getting married. In general, an engagement party tends to be more informal than other wedding-related events and is a chance for friends and family to come together to toast the couple .

Do you have to take a gift to an engagement party?

Gifts aren't required, but it's always good to show up to a party with something in hand, recommends Victoria Della Torre of San Francisco-based Etiquette Design Company . "Great examples include a special bottle of bubbly and accompanying champagne flutes or matching travel toiletry bags (great for the honeymoon and other travels as a couple!)."

The 23 Best Engagement Gifts for Couples in 2021

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Engagement Gift Ideas — Brides / Chloe Jeong

There are few moments in life that deserve to be celebrated quite as much as a couple's engagement. But shopping for a gift for the newly engaged couple can admittedly be much harder than shopping for the wedding gift itself! Engagement gifts are not required, but it's a nice gesture for guests to bring a gift to an engagement party or send something sweet to the happy couple when they announce their news. They may have not yet set up their wedding registry, and giving just a monetary present just feels a little, well, off.

Don’t stress. There’s no shortage of options out there, from sweet personalized presents to foolproof crowd-pleasers that are a universally safe bet—and at a variety of price points, too.

Read on for the best engagement gifts guaranteed to make the happy couple even happier.

The Painted Press Ring Dish

This petite gift may be the one she treasures the most because it helps her prized possession safe on the nightstand or next to the sink. Personalize it with the happy couple's initials and engagement date for a thoughtful touch.

What our testers say

"These are my go-to gift for any newly engaged person. They feel very personal and special and are the perfect place for a new ring." —Dwyer Frame, VP, Commerce

Inspired Print Store Custom Couple Print

They'll treasure this personalized portrait for years to come. Customize everything from hairstyles and outfits to the pets on either side of the couple—it's a touching gift that will earn a permanent place of honor on their wall!

Do One Thing Every Day Together: A Journal for Two

Talk about creating memories. This journal acts as a relationship time capsule, with all kinds of thoughtful writing prompts for the couple to respond to and reflect on together.

Pair it with a handwritten note suggesting they start now so that they'll have something fun to look back on during their first wedding anniversary. Bonus points for the very budget-friendly price.

Agier Design Adventure Together Print

Choose from three memorable locations—think the couples’ hometowns, where they met, where they live, or the wedding location—to create a hand-crafted, map-inspired piece of art. You can even add custom text (perhaps the wedding date?) to make it that much more personalized. It comes in various sizes and framing options in a range of prices, too.

Wax and Wane Congrats Candle

If you’re looking for an affordable option that’s sure to please, pick up this champagne-scented candle. Made from soy wax and premium essential oils, it delivers over 50 hours of (clean) burn time. It’s fun and festive like a bottle of bubbly…but lasts longer and comes without the risk of a hangover.

Betty Lu Paperie Custom Wedding Address Stamp

When it comes to practical gifts, this one may just take the cake. Between save-the-dates, wedding invites, and thank you notes, the couple is going to have a lot of mail going out.

Make their lives easier and help them streamline the process with this custom ink and set stamp featuring their return address.

Slant Mr. and Mrs. Stemless Wine Glasses

This cute wine glass set spells it out loud and clear—they're getting married! Pair the duo with a bottle of their favorite vino as a sweet combo gift that they'll be sure to appreciate.

Personalized Gift Box Custom Cutting Board

There are plenty of custom cutting boards to be found there (it really is a great gift idea), but few are as beautifully crafted and elegant as this one. Along with selecting the text, there’s also an assortment of sizes and materials to choose from—including marble, walnut, and white oak—so you can pick one that you think will best suit the couple’s style.

Homesick Wedding Collection Candles

With notes of citrus and champagne grapes, this candle sets the scene for a festive event. Personalize it on the back with a handwritten note marking the couple and the cause for celebration.

What Our Testers Say

"Homesick candles are my go-to gift for any occasion. They're top-quality and a gift I know the recipient will actually use. Their new wedding collection features three candles: 'Brides' Bouquet' (smells like floral heaven), 'Black Tux', (featuring delicious bourbon notes), and 'Just Married' (literally smells like newlywed bliss). The first two make the perfect engagement gifts and the last one will remind them of their special day every time they light it!" - Mariah Kulak, Senior Social Editor

Uncommon Goods Wedding Keepsake Library

Think ahead and give them this beautiful—and very functional—storage system in which to house all their most important keepsakes post-wedding. It comes with everything they’ll need, from labels to drawers to envelopes, and looks so much more beautiful than the cardboard box they’d likely end up using otherwise.

Kate Spade "Miss to Mrs." Tumbler

Help your bestie say it loud and clear—she's engaged!—with this fun acrylic tumbler. It holds up to 20 ounces of her favorite cold drink and will keep her hydrated all throughout the wedding planning process.

Venus Et Fleur Fleura Vase with Eternity Roses and Eternity Hedera Leaves

A great option for those wanting to splurge on an ultra-luxurious and special gift, this bouquet truly is a showstopper. These real roses (take a sniff) will last up to an entire year without any maintenance required.

This particular arrangement also comes in a beautiful porcelain vase; take your pick from any of the 24 different colors of blooms.

Gift Tree Personalized Wine Bottle

Sure, you could pick up a bottle of wine to bring to an engagement party, but if you plan ahead you can step up your gift-giving game with this personalized version.

A bold California red blend comes housed in a bottle that you can inscribe with whatever message you choose (and is packaged in a gift-ready box, eliminating the need for wrapping). The wine might not last long, but the special bottle certainly will.

Minted Heart Snapshot Mix

Minted photo collage — Courtesy of Minted

Suprise the newlywed couple with a personalized gift that they'll treasure forever. This showstopping print features 30 of your favorite photos in a bold heart design—and it's possible to customize everything from the placement of the images to the size and frame of the finished piece. Go with the classic photo colors or try out one of Minted's fun new finishes—black and white, blush, or rainbow—for a whimsical, retro look.

Artifact Signature Layflat Photo Album

No matter whether they use this to house their wedding photos or to capture memories from their engagement, a photo album is a foolproof gift. Particularly when it’s as beautiful as this one! Choose from either a linen or leather cover, both with ultra-thick, lay flat, seamless pages.

There’s also an option to add-on a gorgeous walnut storage box, to really make this more of a keepsake.

Caraway Linens Set

For the couple that loves to spend time in the kitchen together, this complete line-up of linen essentials is choice. With three oversized organic cotton tea towels, a set of oven mitts and potholders, plus an apron, it’s all the utilitarian basics they need for all their cooking adventures. Plus, the handwoven patterns on all are adorable.

Define Design 11 Personalized Watercolor Wedding Map

Celebrate the spot where they said, "yes"! This graphic print can be customized with everything from names and engagement date to the color of the state of your choosing. It's a sentimental piece that will make them smile every time they look at it.

Daily Harvest Gift Card

The wedding planning period is often busy with a capital B, with cooking and meal-planning falling by the wayside. Give them the gift of easy, healthy meals at their fingertips with a gift card to Daily Harvest.

They can pick their own plan, choosing from all kinds of delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner options—all of which are full of nutritious ingredients.

Parachute Classic Bathroom Starter Bundle

Towels and bathroom mats are one of those seemingly boring staples that many couples probably won’t register for. Give them what they didn’t even know they needed: a major bathroom linen upgrade.

This set comes with four bath towels, four hand towels, four washcloths, and a bath mat, all made of super soft long-staple Turkish cotton and available in five different colors. It may not seem like the most obvious gift, but trust us, it’s one that will be appreciated—and used repeatedly.

West & Willow Custom Pet Portrait

Simply send in a photo of the pup and the brand does the rest, replicating their likeness in a portrait. You can also customize the text above the image (we suggest, “Congratulations, Mom & Dad.”)

You know that couple that’s so obsessed with their dog that the pup is going to be in the wedding ceremony? This is the perfect gift for them.

Crate & Barrel Pryce Champagne Ice Basket

They’re probably going to be receiving quite a bit of champagne, so why not give them a beautiful bucket in which to chill it? This retro-inspired glass version, accented with a platinum trim, is a modern take on the traditional stainless steel option, equally as pretty as it is functional. Pair it with your favorite bottle of bubbles.

Argaux Year of Firsts

Choose six bottles to gift the couple, selecting a special tag for each one, denoting when they should open it. Think options like ‘Just Married,’ ‘Valentine’s Day', ‘Let’s Celebrate’, and more.

It’s a sweet way to help them celebrate long past the engagement period and wedding day, and hopefully, they’ll think of you whenever they crack a bottle.

What our testers say

"I'm always looking for the most unique gift ideas (comes with the job!), and this is one I would definitely be excited to give newly-engaged friends. I just love the idea of celebrating every milestone—before, during, and after the wedding. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving!" —Anna Price Olson, Associate Editorial Director

Remix by Giselle Wasfie Magic Candle Love

Hand-crafted using jasmine oil and a lepidolite crystal, lighting this candle helps channel love and romantic energy—what couple wouldn’t appreciate that? It burns for 145 hours and is made of 100 % soy wax. Plus, it’s so pretty that you really don’t even need to wrap it.

What to look for in an engagement gift

Engagement gifts can range from casual food and drink gifts to high-end presents. If the couple has set it up in time for the party, NYC-based event designer and registry expert Jung Lee recommends choosing something from the registry. "Take the same budget you would spend on bubbly and put it towards a special piece that they'll have forever," says Lee. A personalized piece of art or another item that commemorates the engagement is also something that will be treasured by the couple for years to come.

Meet the Expert

Jung Lee is a wedding planner, registry expert, and owner of Jung Lee NY.

FAQ

What is an engagement party?

An engagement party is a special celebration for the engaged couple, usually held soon after they've announced that they're getting married. In general, an engagement party tends to be more informal than other wedding-related events and is a chance for friends and family to come together to toast the couple.
Do you have to take a gift to an engagement party?

Gifts aren't required, but it's always good to show up to a party with something in hand, recommends Victoria Della Torre of San Francisco-based Etiquette Design Company. "Great examples include a special bottle of bubbly and accompanying champagne flutes or matching travel toiletry bags (great for the honeymoon and other travels as a couple!)."

Why Trust Brides

Brides contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Her work has appeared in digital and print publications such as Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, and Allure.