Celebrate your forever love with the top 20 engagement party themes for 2026

After the whirlwind of emotions that take over the moment you say “yes” to spending life with the human you love, it starts to sink in: you’re engaged. Off the market. Betrothed! 

First of all, congratulations! While the title fiancé or fiancée has a diamond-sized ring to it, you now have an ever-growing (and very exciting) list of things to do before you walk down the aisle and say, “I do.” 

Likewise, if you’re a best friend or close family member of a newly engaged couple, you may want to celebrate their decision to make it official with everyone else they love, too—and make them feel extra special during this exciting time in their lives.

But where do you even start? 

With an engagement party, of course.

An engagement party gives you the ultimate opportunity to share the big news with family and friends on both sides. Whether you’re keeping it small and intimate or want a larger-than-life engagement bash, there are plenty of motifs to choose from to ensure your engagement party pairs perfectly with your matrimonial vibes.

Why should your engagement party have a theme?

You can absolutely host a no-frills engagement party in your backyard—a few beers, some chips, and homemade guacamole. Easy peasy.

However, many couples do choose to incorporate a theme for their engagement parties. A motif makes for a livelier celebration and can be made unique to the interests of the happy couple. Including a theme can be as simple as turning your backyard engagement party into a barbecue-themed bash, or as elaborate as creating your very own romantic Parisian café in your garden.

20 engagement themes for the soon-to-be-newlyweds

If you’re looking for a little engagement party inspiration, look no further. From flutes of Champagne to backyard seafood boils, we’ve gathered 20 enticing engagement party themes that you and your guests will love:

 

1. Charcuterie and Champagne

If you enjoy spending your nights curating bourgeois platters of delectable meats and cheeses for romantic date nights, then an engagement party that celebrates your love of charcuterie might just be your dream come true. Bust out a bottle (or four) of your favorite Champagne, send out your invitations, and prepare for a night of laughter, libations, and a lot of cheese.

 

2. Boozy brunch

Mix and mingle with a mimosa in hand as you celebrate the news of your upcoming nuptials with your nearest and dearest. If you like to host at home, you can turn your kitchen into a must-visit eatery with a waffle station, omelette bar, and mimosa cart so guests can craft their own concoctions. 

For couples who prefer to leave the cooking to the pros, consider making a reservation at your favorite local brunch spot, where your only concerns will be whether to make a toast with that extra mimosa.

3. I do BBQ

Who doesn’t enjoy a juicy, flame-broiled hamburger, a slab of slow-roasted ribs, a side of baked beans, and an endless supply of tangy, homemade coleslaw? Gas up the grill, hang some twinkle lights to set the mood, and invite all of your BBQ-loving friends and family over for an evening of beers and barbecue in your backyard. It’s guaranteed to be a good time for all.

4. Bonfire bash

 

Looking for an engagement party idea with a cozy and casual vibe? A bonfire might be just what you need. 

Whether you’re hosting a beachside bonfire or keeping it simple in your backyard, setup is a breeze. Simply fill a cooler with ice, add a variety of seltzers and beers, and bring a Bluetooth speaker to play your favorite campfire tunes. And don’t forget to provide all the fixings for everyone to make their own temptingly sweet s’mores. Make it exciting and add party games and a unique engagement party favor for all your guests to take home.

5. Seafood boil

To some, a seafood boil is a family tradition. Others simply enjoy the Cajun flair of freshly cooked shrimp, sausage, and other seafood delights. Either way, one thing is for certain—it’s an excellent way to bring everyone together for a deliciously good time. 

You can keep your boil simple by covering the tables with butcher paper, or create a more sophisticated vibe with seating arrangements and monogrammed napkins. We also recommend sending out themed invitations and requesting that guests bring their favorite Cajun-inspired side dish.

6. Brews and bites

A simple yet sophisticated way to celebrate your engagement is by inviting family and friends to a low-key engagement celebration at your favorite brewery. This idea requires minimal setup on your part, and you have the luxury of sipping on your favorite brewskies all day long. If the brewery offers a snack menu, great! If not, reach out to some local food trucks to see if they’d cater some of their tasty treats for your big bash.

7. Taco ’bout a good time

If Taco Tuesdays are a regular weekly occurrence for you and your spouse-to-be, then an engagement party is the perfect excuse to bring tacos into the mix. You can reserve a room at your favorite taco joint, or set up a DIY taco bar at home, complete with all of the must-have taco toppings to craft the ultimate taco. Don’t forget to send an aptly themed invitation to your taco-loving friend group so they can save the date.

8. Black and white affair

 

Do you picture yourself dressed to the nines for an evening of bubbly and sophistication? With a black and white-themed engagement party, you can wear that sequined floor-length number (or perfectly fitted tux) that’s been hiding in the back of your closet. 

To ensure everyone dresses on theme, include the dress code for your black (and white) tie affair when you send out the invitations.

9. Roaring ’20s

Oozing with glitz and glamour, you and your main squeeze can dress to impress with a 1920s-themed party. Invite guests to come dressed as flappers, or simply as well-dressed dames and fellas ready to dance the night away with the best Charleston moves in town. 

If you really want to up the ante, you can rent a Champagne fountain that would make Gatsby proud (and send some matching Champagne-themed invitations to boot).

10. Sweet tooth soirée

For those who prefer sweet over savory, you can treat yourselves and your guests to a decadent dessert-themed celebration. From a designated doughnut wall to tables topped with macarons, freshly baked cupcakes, and warm cookies that melt in your mouth, you can literally have your cake and eat it too. Incorporate unique engagement party decorations that match your theme for an added touch. 

11. Garden party

 

Couples who enjoy a breath of fresh air can take their love of the great outdoors to new heights with a garden party. If your backyard is a horticultural wonderland, you can comfortably host the party at your house. If not, you can always look for an outdoor venue at a botanical garden or even borrow your friend’s lush backyard for the afternoon.

12. Dinner party

If you plan to host a smaller group and want a lovely, intimate setting where you can gush over your news with guests, then an engagement dinner party is the way to go. Send an elegant invitation to your favorite people and enjoy a relaxed, celebratory meal together as you tell them all about the proposal.

If you don’t feel like cooking the dinner yourself, call on friends and family for help, look into a catering service, or turn your dinner into a cocktail party instead. With a few sweet and savory bites and Champagne, your guests will have all they need to feel satiated as they ooh and ahh over your engagement photos.

13. Hot cocoa celebration

Did your engagement take place during the chilly winter months? You can host a very on-theme holiday-inspired engagement celebration with a beverage everyone can get behind—hot chocolate.

Consider creating a hot cocoa topping station with traditional (and creative) toppings like crushed peppermints, cinnamon sticks, white chocolate shavings, and some Baileys (for the guests who want a little something extra to stay warm).

14. Pool party

 

There’s no time like sweet, sweet summertime to enjoy a pool party—especially when it’s a pool party with a purpose. It’s also the perfect excuse to whip out your blender and buy some of those adorable cocktail umbrellas to make some tasty tropical drinks. Don’t forget the giant diamond ring-shaped pool floaties and matching engagement party decorations to exude the ultimate engagement party vibes.

15. Around the world (in one night)

Looking for creative engagement party ideas? Traveling can be a great choice. Who needs 80 days when you can make your way around the world in one eventful evening? Cater (or make your own) cultural cuisines from countries you and your partner have traveled to—or places you hope to see once you’re married. You can also ask guests to bring a dish from one of the most memorable places they’ve visited. From Korean bibimbap to Indian samosas, no country (or its delicious delicacies) is off-limits in this engagement party theme.

As a fun twist—and a way to source some inspiration—invite guests to bring a bottle of wine or spirits from their favorite honeymoon destination. Don’t forget to add party décor to liven up the space. 

16. Medieval merriment

If you’re looking for an engagement party theme that’s equal parts romantic and adventurous, a medieval celebration sets the perfect scene. Start things off with an invitation that hints at the grandeur to come—something featuring a regal landscape, ornate crest, or declarative scroll. 

Transform your space into a feasting hall with long banquet-style tables, rustic linens, and plenty of candles. Build a lush, medieval-inspired spread with overflowing charcuterie boards, roasted meats, warm bread, and goblets of wine or mead. Encourage guests to join in the fun by wearing cloaks, crowns, faux armor, or velvet gowns for a touch of whimsy.

Add interactive elements like a photo booth stocked with themed props—think shields, swords, tiaras, and scrolls. If friends or family plan to give toasts, have them deliver their speeches from rolled parchment for an extra nod to old-world pageantry.

17. La dolce vita

 

Bring a little slice of the Italian coast to your engagement celebration with a la dolce vita–inspired party. Choose an invitation that evokes the feeling of summers on the Amalfi Coast—something with a blue-and-white pattern, fresh citrus, or a fun spritz illustration to set the tone.

For drinks, an Aperol spritz is a must. You can also offer Negronis or a lighter sbagliato for guests who prefer something bubbly. To keep the menu cohesive, serve coastal Italian favorites: simple pastas, grilled vegetables, caprese skewers, seafood, and fresh focaccia. Décor is equally effortless—think bowls of lemons, plenty of greenery, and soft linens that feel breezy and sun-washed.

18. Carnival night

A carnival-themed engagement party is perfect for couples who want a celebration that feels fun, whimsical, and delightfully unexpected. Set the tone with an upbeat invitation that leans into classic carnival language, like “Step right up to celebrate the newly engaged couple.” 

Host the party in a backyard or rented outdoor space where you can spread out games and food stations. For snacks, elevate carnival classics: mini cones of cotton candy, corndog bites with a delicious dipping sauce, gourmet popcorn, and handheld pies. Bring in arcade-style fun with a ring toss, balloon darts, or a rubber duck pond. Rent a photobooth and customize the backdrop or graphics to match your theme. Add bright signage, striped linens, or string lights to capture that nostalgic fairground atmosphere. 

19. Retro ’80s bash

Flash back to the era of neon, mixtapes, and big hair with an ’80s-themed celebration that brings all the nostalgia. Kick things off with an invitation that sports bold colors, geometric shapes, and retro fonts to instantly signal the vibe.

Ask guests to come dressed in their best ’80s looks: neon windbreakers, leg warmers, high ponytails, teased hair, oversized blazers, graphic tees, acid-wash denim, and anything with sequins or metallics. For the venue, renting out a roller skating rink is the ultimate throwback, but you can also transform a living room or event space with neon signs, disco balls, and a blacklight corner for extra glow. Compile a decade-perfect playlist packed with hits from Madonna, Prince, Whitney Houston, Journey, and more.

20. Casino night

Bring high-roller glamour to your engagement party with a casino-inspired celebration full of excitement. Start by choosing an invitation that nods to the aesthetic—cards, dice, or a sleek black and gold design. Add a fun line, like “We’re betting on forever!” or “Jackpot: they’re engaged!” to make the theme instantly clear.

At the event, rent blackjack, roulette, or poker tables and use play money or custom chips so guests can jump in without pressure. Offer small prizes for the night’s big winners—gift cards, bottles of Champagne, or playful casino-themed goodies all work well. Decorate with a black, red, and gold palette, and serve cocktails that match the vibe, like martinis, Old Fashioneds, or Champagne cocktails.

Send out your engagement party invitations with ease at Paperless Post

Getting engaged is only the beginning of this next exciting chapter in life. And what better way to celebrate the novelty and thrill of this moment than with everyone you cherish?

That’s where Paperless Post comes in. We offer thousands of handcrafted invitations for any occasion from designers like Oscar de la Renta, kate spade new york, and Stephanie Fishwick. With so many choices at your fingertips, you’re sure to find a design for your engagement party invitations that pairs perfectly with your taste and party theme.

Once you’ve found the right design and have gotten the engagement party invitation wording just right, you can customize it and add all the details your guests need—plus a photo gallery of your engagement pictures—with convenient, informational Blocks. When you’re done, you can send your invitations via email, text, or link, and track RSVPs instantly, so you know exactly where the guest list stands.

Start planning your perfect engagement party today with Paperless Post.