Save Big, Celebrate Bigger: Engagement Party Ideas on a Budget

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

If you’re feeling the pinch financially, don’t worry, we’ve pulled together some clever engagement party ideas on a budget that are stylish, fun and wallet friendly.

Table of Contents:

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

An engagement party is a celebration of your love

Wedding officiant and ritual designer Bill Hulseman, M.Ed, MTS, shares a great starting point: “The purpose of the event is key. For an engagement party, it’s about introducing wider family, building community and surrounding the couple with support.”

Translation: it’s all about the love, not the table settings or the canapés. Keeping that in mind helps you prioritise meaningful moments over price tags.

Hosting the party at home is a great budget-saver, but hiring a local venue can actually make things easier (and more affordable in some cases), especially if it includes amenities like seating and lighting.

Peerspace has loads of options for engagement party spaces, 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 helps set the tone and makes decisions around food, decor and location easier. Plus, it’s a way to show off your personality as a couple.

Meaningful traditions

Incorporating family heritage or cultural customs can make your party unforgettable and meaningful.

• Ask relatives to contribute celebration foods from your culture.
• Use traditional fabrics or family heirlooms as decor.
• Add a short ritual or prayer.
• Host the party in a meaningful community space.

Sports day

If you’re into games, a nostalgic sports day can keep costs low while boosting the fun.

• Plan a few games like tug-of-war, three-legged races or rounders.
• Serve picnic-style food or ask guests to bring a dish.
• Provide comfy seating for those who prefer to watch.

Minimalist chic

Who says you can’t be budget-savvy and stylish? Getting creative can make the chic party of your dreams a reality.

• Pick two colours for the decor and dress code.
• Offer a dessert-only buffet for a decadent (and affordable) twist.
• Use candles and fairy lights to set the mood.

Garden party

Nature’s already done half the decorating for you. An outdoor setting can be the perfect choice for an inexpensive engagement party, especially when flowers are in bloom.

• Use floral-print linens from charity shops.
• Serve tea in vintage cups and drinks in recycled jars.
• Pick seasonal produce for your menu.

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.

• Make a playlist of music from that time.
• Thrift, rent or borrow outfits.
• Serve popular snacks and drinks from the decade.

Pool party

If you’ve got access to a pool and the weather’s right, a pool party can be quirky and cost-effective. If you decide on such a theme, Peerspace has a long list of pool party venues to choose from

• Fill coolers with sparkling water and chilled drinks.
• Get party platters from the local supermarket.
• Hand out sunglasses or suncream minis as favours.

Budget-friendly invitations

You don’t need to spend loads to get people excited.

Paper invites (remember the cost of postage)

• Buy blank cards from a craft shop and decorate them.
• Send postcards from where you met or your favourite holiday spot.
• Use a design site like Canva or Printed.com to make affordable invites.

Free digital options

• Create a private Facebook event.
• Use free platforms like Paperless Post or Partiful.
• Send an email invite—just remember to BCC everyone!

Budget-friendly engagement party activities

Fun doesn’t need to cost much, and it’s often the simple touches that guests remember. 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:

• Have guests write wishes for the couple on slips of paper to be read later or kept in a memory box.
• Play couple trivia or create a shared playlist.
• Set up a DIY photo booth with props from the pound shop.
• Host a cocktail-making challenge or give a prize for best-dressed.
• Add classic garden games like skittles or bean bag toss.

Affordable engagement party venues

Whether you’re keeping it intimate or going all out, venue choice can save you serious cash.

• Your own home or garden
• A local park with a picnic area
• A community centre or village hall
• A hired venue that includes furniture, lighting, and decor

Hiring a venue through Peerspace can make planning easier and reduce your to-do list. Many spaces come with built-in atmosphere, which saves money on decorations.

Food and drink that impress on a budget

Keep it simple and satisfying. Timing your party between meals helps reduce food costs without looking stingy.

Snacks over supper

• Offer crisps, dips and fruit trays for casual grazing.
• Pick up a few platters from your favourite deli or supermarket.
• An ice cream bar with toppings is always a crowd-pleaser.

Sharing-style

• Host a potluck—assign categories like mains, sides or desserts.
• Collaborate on a giant grazing board with guests each bringing one item.
• Fire up the grill and have a barbecue in the garden.

Drinks made easy

• Make a big batch of a signature cocktail or punch.
• Offer one red, one white and a sparkling wine.
• Ask friends to bring mixers and try a make-your-own cocktail corner.

Easy decor that sets 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.

• Fairy lights add instant charm.
• Use LED candles for safe, soft lighting.
• Try coloured bulbs or blacklight for themed parties.

Balloons + streamers = instant party

• Go monochrome for elegance, or rainbow for fun.
• Try a DIY balloon arch as a photo backdrop.

Go green

• Fill vases with seasonal greenery or wildflowers.
• Use potted herbs or succulents that guests can take home.
• Buy budget-friendly blooms from local markets or supermarkets like Aldi or Lidl.

Let your venue shine

Choose a space with character to cut down on decorating altogether. Think historic buildings, converted barns or cosy modern lounges.

Party favours that won’t break the bank

Thank guests with a thoughtful takeaway they’ll actually use.

• Succulents from the table = instant favours.
• Mini candles, homemade or ordered in bulk.
• Edible favours like jam, chocolates or biscuits.
• DIY sugar scrubs in little jars, made with oils and sugar.

Celebrate your love—without overspending

Whether you’re planning your own engagement party or helping a friend celebrate, the real magic comes from connection, not cost. With a few clever tips and some creativity, you can throw an unforgettable engagement party on a budget that’s full of style and heart.

Explore unique and affordable venues on Peerspace to make your party stress-free and unforgettable.

You’ve got this.