Not an Engagement Party, but a _______ Party!

Just have a summertime BBQ. Don't put wedding anywhere in the tittle and at the BBQ if people ask you can say you set a date and started planning

Honestly, I'd skip it simply because of the cost of wedding planning. Given the option, I'd rather put the party money towards wedding upgrades

Have a non-wedding related get together and then you can announce it.

No need to call it anything.

I'd honestly just skip it but that's just me.

That still sounds like an engagement party. I'm sure you know hosting your own engagement party is frowned upon.

Not to be a Debbie downer, but I think you should skip it. There's so much to plan with a wedding. Just focus on that. People will get that you are planning.

Also, congrats to you and your FH. Especially, after all that! I hope your big day is all the sweeter!

Throwing a party in honor of yourselves, except for the wedding, is tacky as helllll

I'm sorry for your loss.

I'm also sorry to say that I'm another vote for team skip it. Let your STDs "kick-off" your wedding season...

I'm surprised no one else has mentioned it, but you don't have a "wedding season." You have one day. Sure, you plan a long time for it, but that doesn't involved anyone else, other than letting them know the date and location. I would skip the party, if it were me. Just start planning and you can let people know you set the date!

I get the impression that you're more excited about your lives being back on track than your "wedding season." Just throw a party (backyard/casual) for the hell of it and like others said, don't mention your wedding unless asked about it. IMO there's nothing wrong with wanting to throw parties/entertain but it's a bit off to add extra wedding festivities that your guests will feel obligated to attend.

Just wanted to post because we have the same ww name...

^ make sure you keep your avatars & wedding dates different...

I think everyone is taking "Wedding Season" too literally. Geesh. I just mean the countdown to the wedding. That's all. Didn't think those words would bother so many of you. Any who.... and to say it's tacky to throw our own party is a bit of a stretch. If we're going by traditional norms (since I'm sure that's what those of you who said that are basing that lovely comment on) then I'm sure all of your dads are paying for your weddings right? And you're wearing white because you're 'pure' hmmm? LOL I mean it's 2017 ladies and if we can afford to have a party to celebrate (not costing any one a dime, not needing or expecting gifts, then we can do it :-) I really just needed other names or suggestions and I appreciate those of you who gave that and your well wishes!

@ TealWedding

This party is not in honor of ourselves. If you truly read my post you'd see that our families have been through a lot. We've all been looking forward to our wedding and planning. They talk about it more than we do. Party is to celebrate that we're officially able to move forward with our plans and actually celebrate that we're getting married, because we weren't able to do so when we got engaged. So thanks for the wonderful comment, but you can keep it :-)

Call it a hey we wanna party so why does it need to have a name Party??? LOL

Why do you need a name for it? Why not just a party? A get together. A gathering of friends. What are you expecting it to be?

We are avoiding an engagement party because we don't want gifts or anyone to feel obligated but want to give our people opportunities to meet each other beforehand. It's a DW and small so we're just hosting various dinners and whiskey nights over the next few months and inviting them. Not at all wedding specific, just gathering of our people and enjoying their company.

Love that idea @Lisa :-p LOL

Great idea CD :-) Thanks!

HI FUTUREMRSV Name twinsies LOL

I'd skip it altogether and just send save the dates when the time is right

While you did indeed ask for suggestions for calling the party something else, you also did ask if you should skip the party altogether, and the community responded to you. I'm sorry the comments weren't handed to you gentle enough for you to handle.

Also in your f/u comment to TealWedding, you said the party isn't in honor of yourselves but, "party is to celebrate that we're officially able to move forward with our plans and actually celebrate that we're getting married, because we weren't able to do so when we got engaged."

I mean, unless you're speaking on behalf of some mythical being, everything you mentioned is about YOU and your FH, therefore it IS a party in honor of yourself and your FH. What are you missing here?

The problem with throwing your own party and giving it a title (engagement party, wedding kick off, whatever) is that your guests might feel obligated to bring you a gift, whether you expect them or not. Go ahead and have a party, because I'm sure with all that's been going on you haven't seen your friends much, but don't call it anything. If the topic of your wedding happens to come up, you can announce that you've set a date. Otherwise, just enjoy time with your friends. Not everything has to be about the wedding.

I'm a future Mrs V toooo!

@QueSeraSera If you said that because of the "Theresas" - you give me LIFE.