Hosting any kind of event during the COVID-19 pandemic can be a challenge. But, even though our lives look different now from less than a year ago, we often need reminders that we have to move on. Most events are canceled, but life cannot and shouldn't be postponed due to a pandemic. We just need to find our way of coping with it on a daily basis as well as on our special days. One of the events that deserve to be celebrated is engagement. Let's see how to throw a great socially distanced engagement party now that each person's health is at stake.

Who should be invited?

Engagement parties were traditionally hosted by the parents of a bride-to-be at their home. Times have changed now, and many couples decide to be the organizers and hosts of their engagement party. Quite often, they invite guests to their place, or they rent a venue for this purpose.

Since the global pandemic is changing the way we do many things, this will have to be altered as well. Gatherings are banned in many states as of writing this article, so you will have to be careful about the number of people you invite to your engagement party. We advise you to put only the closest friends and family members on both sides on your guest list for the time being. 

Don't invite anybody with a compromised immune system since the possible infection can be rather dangerous for them. Of course, you should give them a call and share the news about your engagement, but encourage them to stay at home. Do the same with any guest who is feeling under the weather.

Where should the party take place?

Unfortunately, there is not a place where you are completely safe from the virus. However, if you can organize your engagement party outside, you should definitely do so to at least alleviate the risk of getting infected. The transmission of the COVID-19 virus indoors is much higher than in the open. 

Your backyard can be the perfect spot for an engagement party. Even if it takes a little bit of time and effort to rearrange the furniture and bring some pieces from or to storage, you know that this is the only way to have your cake and eat it too. If you don't feel comfortable asking your friends to assist, you can hire professionals to help you do this in no time.

The seating arrangement

You need to be very careful when making the seating arrangement for the party. People who live together should be seated at the same table, while those who are not in contact should remain apart. Socializing the way we used to is not recommended at the moment. Oh, and don't forget to put a bottle of hand sanitizer on each table.

If you would feel more comfortable with your guests wearing masks at your engagement party, you can even have them custom-made for the occasion. Many companies make them with funny prints, names, and messages. Should you decide to make them, you can send them along with the invitations!

How should the food and drinks be served?

We are still getting used to the new rules and precautions. But, luckily, people are managing to throw socially distanced wedding receptions and other bigger events, so organizing a party shouldn't be a problem. When it comes to the food at your party, you should go for pre-plated meals. Sharing food or taking it from the same tray or bowl is not safe these days. If you are a fan of bite-sized appetizers, you can make a selection to put on individual plates that are going to be served to the guests. 

Hiring a waiter or two could be a good idea when organizing a socially distanced engagement party. They will help serve the food and drinks, which will prevent guests from unnecessary mingling. Needless to say, the waiters or anybody else serving food or beverages should wear masks and gloves. 

When the time comes for the dessert at your engagement party, individual portions are again the safest choice. You can make personalized and pre-packed cupcakes or muffins for every guest. Or, if you are not willing to skip the buffet, guests could come one by one and choose what the waiter will bring to them when they are seated.

Forget about those huge punch bowls people used to help themselves from - disposable cups and bottles are a must now.

Entertaining options at the socially distanced engagement party

Even though nothing compares to dancing and socializing at parties, there are still some ways to keep your guests entertained and maintain social distance at the same time. After all, people are there to celebrate your love and friendship during these challenging times, so being together is all that matters. 

Some of the activities you can plan for your engagement party taking place amidst the coronavirus outbreak are:

• Quizzes at which your guests will try to guess how well they know the two of you and each other.

• Slide shows and videos of the soon-to-be-married couple - make a compilation and prepare some fun stories to share with your loved ones. 

• The more guests you have at your party, the more effort you will have to put into the alternate entertainment options. The internet can be a good resource, or you can consult your wedding planner if you already have one.

The bathroom

Wherever you decide to host your engagement party, your guests will probably need to use the bathroom once or twice. This is not the perfect time for fluffy towels and fancy bars of soap. Remove those and provide enough paper towels and hand sanitizers instead. Also, having a pack of sanitary wipes by the door and a reminder to use them after touching the doorknob can be a good idea. In terms of hygiene, throwing a party at home or in your backyard can be more of a challenge than organizing a socially distanced wedding ceremony in a restaurant where their staff is in charge of cleaning and disinfecting.

We are well aware that there are too many limitations that need to be considered when celebrating these days, but what is important is that you and your guests remain safe and sound. That is why we think that a great socially distanced engagement party is the one where safety comes first.

This is a guest post. Risa James Events has no financial relationship with any companies mentioned in this post.