Save Big, Celebrate Bigger: Affordable Engagement Party Ideas

Congratulations—you’re engaged! (Or someone you love is.) Throwing an engagement party is a wonderful way to introduce friends and family, build anticipation for the big day, and bask in the excitement of a new chapter. 

If you’re stressing about costs, never fear: we’ve got the scoop on unique engagement party ideas on a budget. 

Table of Contents

• Choosing a theme
• Budget-friendly activities
• Venue options
• Food and drink
• Budget decor done right
• Frugal favors

An engagement party is a celebration of your love

Wedding officiant and ritual designer Bill Hulseman, M.ed, MTS, tells us, “My starting point for planning is always the purpose of the event. For an engagement party, it can be introducing the wider family, building community, and surrounding the couple with support.” 

In other words, your partnership is the heart of your engagement party—not the decor, the food, or the invites. Keeping that in mind can help you stay focused on what matters: sharing meaningful moments with the ones you love. 

Hosting a home engagement party can keep things affordable. On the other hand, booking a venue can make it easier to stay in the moment with your guests. It can also be more affordable in the long run. 

Peerspace has tons of options, from intimate spaces with vintage charm to elegant venues for big groups. 

Read on for engagement party ideas that keep things stylish, fun, and affordable.

Choosing a theme on a budget 

Picking a theme is a great first step when you’re dreaming up an affordable engagement party. It’s a chance to share your story and help loved ones get to know you as a couple. Plus, choosing food, decor, and a venue is a lot easier once you’ve settled on a vibe. 

Meaningful traditions 

If you or your partner come from a strong faith or cultural background, including traditional customs can make your engagement party truly special. Hulseman encourages couples to “tap into old traditions in updated, contemporary ways.” 

• Ask relatives to share celebration foods from your culture.
• Use traditional textiles or family heirlooms in your decor.
• Incorporate a favorite ritual or prayer. 
• Hold your engagement party at a house of worship. 

Field day

If sports or games are your thing, a playful engagement party can help guests bond—and keep things inexpensive.

• Set up a “field day” with three-legged races, tug-o-war, and other nostalgic games. 
• Order pizza, grill hotdogs, or have guests bring picnic foods.
• Offer seating for those who want to watch from the sidelines.

Minimalist chic  

Throwing an engagement party on a budget doesn’t rule out sophisticated style. Getting creative can make the chic party of your dreams a reality.

• Curate a refined ambiance by picking one or two colors for the decor and dress code.
• Choose a dessert buffet for a lavish (but less expensive) alternative to dinner.
• Decorate with candles and string lights for effortless elegance.

Garden party

Let the beauty of nature work its magic. An outdoor setting can be the perfect choice for an inexpensive engagement party, especially when flowers are in bloom. 

• Decorate with thrifted floral-print fabrics.
• Use Mason jars or tea cups (also thrifted, of course!) for beverages.
• Serve snacks that highlight seasonal produce.

Vintage vibes

Pick a decade and let your imagination run wild. From sophisticated 1920s speakeasy to neon 80s extravaganza, a vintage theme lets your guests’ creativity shine.

• Serve foods and beverages popular in your chosen era.
• Thrift, rent, or borrow outfits. 
• Make a playlist showcasing the music of your decade.

Pool party

If you love the water (and the weather’s right) a pool party is a fun, non-traditional option for a budget engagement party. Just add swimsuits!

• Fill a cooler with water, seltzer, and beer.
• Source a deli tray from a local caterer or grocery store.
• Offer inexpensive sunglasses and mini-sunscreens as party favors.

Affordable engagement party invitations

If you love the analog charm of snail mail, you’ve got options for creative, on-budget paper invites. Basic paper invitations range from $0.85/each (from FedEx) to $1.24 (from Moo.com). If that’s not your thing, going paperless can save time and money, according to Elizabeth Covino who writes for Johnson & Wales University. 

Inexpensive paper invitation ideas ($1.50–$2 each, with postage)

• Source blank note cards from a craft store and decorate to your heart’s delight.
• Send postcards of your favorite destination or the town where you met (find them online).
• Design your own affordable cards on a platform like Canva or Shutterfly.

Easy, breezy paperless options (Free)

• Make a private Facebook event.
• Use an app like Partiful or Evite. 
• Write a good, old-fashioned email invitation.

---

Pro tip: If you go the old-fashioned group email route, be sure to bcc invitees to avoid the much-maligned “reply all” feature.

---

Budget-friendly activities 

Activities and games are a great way for guests to connect at your engagement party. They’re also the most affordable way to ensure your gathering is lively and memorable. 

Hulseman suggests a simple “aspirations” ritual: “All you need is paper and pens. It’s not expensive or complicated! Invite guests to write their hopes and dreams for the couple. These can be turned into a keepsake book or read aloud at the end of the party.” 

Here are some other ideas for budget-friendly, simple engagement party activities:

Keep it mellow

• Test your guests’ knowledge about you and your partner with a round of “couple trivia.”
• Make a playlist of “your” songs; invite guests to add to it.
• Set up a DIY photo booth.

Get competitive

• Provide mixers and utensils for a cocktail-making contest. 
• Offer a small prize for the best-dressed (or most on-theme!) attendees.
• Set up lawn games like bean bag toss or bocci. 

Venues for an inexpensive engagement party

Good news: You’ve got options! If you’re planning a small celebration, your home (or the home of a loved one) could do the trick. If you want to party outdoors, a community center, park, or backyard can all be good choices.

Affordable spaces that make your life easy

Want to make planning a breeze without breaking the bank? Booking an affordable venue through Peerspace can save time and shorten your to-do list, letting you focus on having fun with your loved ones. It can also save you money on amenities like seating, decor, and lighting, as these are often included. 

Depending on your budget, you can expect to spend an average of $160 per hour. If your guest list is small, it’s easy to find a space for closer to $130. If you’re including all the cousins and coworkers, your costs may run closer to $185.

Fabulous food and drink options to keep things simple 

Offering a crowd-pleasing spread for your engagement party doesn’t have to be pricey. When it comes to feeding your guests on a budget, a little creativity goes a long way. In the National Foundation for Debt Management’s “The Wedding Planner,” NFDM’s President Judy Sorenson says, “The less formal the affair, the more affordable.” While she is referring to weddings, the same applies to engagement parties. Less frills often means less expense. But it doesn’t have to mean less impact.” 

Go ahead—eat between meals

• Plan your party between lunch and dinner and serve light snacks like chips, guacamole, and fruit and veggie platters. 
• Offer an appetizer buffet of small bites from your favorite local market.
• An ice cream sundae bar is a delightful DIY option. 

Teamwork makes the dream work

• Organize a potluck where everyone brings a dish to share (out-of-towners can pick up a dessert or some bread and cheese).
• Ask each guest to bring different cured meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, bread, etc., and build an epic charcuterie board together.
• Fire up the grill for a simple and satisfying barbecue.

Keep sips simple

• Make a big batch of a signature cocktail (or mocktail) before the party.
• Serve one or two varieties of beer and wine.
• Stock up on a base spirit like gin or rum and ask guests to bring fun mixers and garnishes. 

Easy decor makes the mood

Simple touches go a long way when it comes to making a space festive. Choosing the right decor can make your engagement party dazzle without driving up costs. 

Light things up 

Lighting is arguably the most important aspect of decor. Luckily for budget-conscious party planners, it’s also one of the easiest! 

• Hang string lights around the space for a festive glow.
• Scatter surfaces with candles (LED candles are great if you want to avoid open flames). 
• Use a blacklight for a dance party or retro theme.

Keep it classic with balloons

• Balloons and streamers are inexpensive and endlessly adaptable.
• Pick a variety of colors for a playful vibe, or go monochrome for understated elegance.
• Make a statement with a beautiful balloon arch.  

Add natural beauty with plants

• Seasonal foliage looks gorgeous in vases—and is a lot less expensive than flowers.
• Succulents in containers add rustic charm to your table.
• Opt for wildflowers, inexpensive arrangements from Trader Joe’s, or bouquets from a local farmer’s market.

Choose a venue that fits your vibe

The Knot’s advice for wedding savings applies to engagement parties, too: “Let your venue’s details shine!”

• Choosing a venue that matches your aesthetic can mean big savings on decor.
• Look for a space that already includes mood lighting. 
• A beautiful venue can do the work for you, eliminating the need to decorate. 

---

Pro tip: Peerspace helps you stay on-budget with transparent pricing and search results sorted by price-range and style.

---

Party favors that won’t break the bank

Giving guests a token of your appreciation is always a sweet touch. Here are a few ideas to show your love with inexpensive party favors.

• Those succulents you used for table decor? They can double as party favors!
• Order inexpensive custom mini-candles. 
• Edible favors are always welcome. Consider tiny jars of honey, jam, or fancy salt.
• Mix sugar with essential oils to make a spa-inspired body scrub. Place in cute jars for affordable DIY favors.

Enjoy your engagement party! 

Whether you’re planning your own party or throwing an engagement party for a loved one, the most important thing is to connect, make memories, and have fun. With a little creativity and the right strategies, you can enjoy a magical engagement party on a budget. 

Discover one-of-a-kind venues on Peerspace to make your party memorable, affordable, and stress-free. 

You’ve got this!