Values Forum: Family Programs

Traditions - Engagements

"I don't know if this is really a tradition since we have only had two engagements in our family. What we did when my sister became engaged was so much fun we repeated the practice when I recently became engaged. Anyway, the following are ideas taken from the two engagement parties in our family:

1) You really need someone in the family, or perhaps a friend who is an artist to do the following: Bake two huge sugar cookies (we used pizza pans) and using colored frosting paint the portrait of the intended bride and groom on the cookies which are framed with ruffles and bows and used as decorations.

2) We had a heart shaped vase, but any container will do to hold wishes for the engaged couple. These wishes were written ahead and brought to the party by invited guests .

3) The intended bride and groom were also given assignments prior to the party. The groom-to-be had to write a "Dream Letter" to his love, being as passionate and extravagant as his imagination would allow. This fictional letter should describe a lavish honeymoon trip where nothing is to expensive or unattainable. The bride-to-be is to write a letter recalling their first meeting and describing what was and wasn't attractive about the first impression made by the intended groom. These letters are to be read aloud during the party."
Jenny in California