and family to each other in one place prior to the wedding. Often contemporary engagement parties are either cocktail parties or dinners with décor kept to a minimum. Gifts are not often given until either the wedding itself or a bridal shower. In ancient Greece, engagement parties were held without the bride and took place to discussed the legal and economic aspects of the marriage. Later, engagement parties were when both sides announced a legal union prior to marriage where if one side broke the agreement they would have to pay the wronged side. Engagements became non-legally bending and by the early 20th century couples would announce their engagement in the local paper. See also Churching of women Marriage proposal Rèiteach Notes Citations Bibliography External links Christian Betrothal (Engagement) Ceremony - Church of North India (United Protestant Christian) The Order of Blessing an Engaged Couple - Western Christian Betrothal Rite A Brief Liturgy for the Signing of the Declaration of Intention (Anglican Christian) The Service of Betrothal (Eastern Orthodox Christian) Weddings & Blessings in Church (Methodist Christian) Solemn Rite of Betrothal and Publishing of the Banns (Roman Catholic Christian) Marriage