Isn't it great to be at the beginning before the showers, rehearsal and the epic reception? How about a sweet little gathering to kick it off…an engagement party!

An engagement party is traditionally thrown by the bride's parents, but many gatherings are hosted by the groom's family, friends, or the couple themselves. The purpose of an engagement party is to introduce immediate family and close friends. Guests invited to an engagement party will need to be invited to the wedding so keep your guest list small.

Plan the event within a few weeks to a couple of months after the engagement, to not crowd the events surrounding your wedding. Your entertaining style should allow guests to meet and mingle, so consider appetizers on a buffet as an option.

When deciding on a buffet appetizer menu, choose foods that are portable, simple to eat, and appeal to multiple generations. Even if you know the bride and groom, you may not know any special diets or eating patterns of the other guests. Having a varied menu will make your guests feel comfortable.

The following is a menu from an engagement party for 40 guests. It offers a balance of hot and cold appetizers, as well as many meat-free and gluten-free choices. Links to the recipes are on highlighted menu items.