To think that engagement parties are a wage of time and money...

[K999]

I have been to 6 engagement parties in the past 3 years ......not one of those couples are married yet.

5 couples have split up ( and are now engaged to other people)
The other couple are still engaged....but with no wedding in sight.

AIBU to actively not want to buy a present and a new outfit decline invitations now?

I have been to a couple of engagement parties. They were good fun, a bit like a wedding without all the boring formal bits.
I think I bought small gifts, but this was a while ago, when young couples did need help in setting up their 1st homes.

ah but bof have you set a date?? are we going to get to perv over potential wedding-wear on S&B threads?

bored enquiring minds need to know!

Nah, I'm one of those irritating people who never gets round to anything because I find other stuff to spend my money on. In my defence though, I never refer to him as my fiancé...perhaps I should start?

too difficult to type. it is always going to come out as 'finance' or 'fancee'

neither of which would say the right thing.

More fool you for buying a present! If you don't want to go, don't go! If you do, do. Problem solved.

I would love to call him my fancee- I must road test that one later

Thanks CQ....your words of wisdom and problem solving skills have astounded me...

They are a recipe for disaster. People will always assume if they are invited to the engagement party they will automatically be coming to the wedding, and if it turns out when the planning commences that not everyone will be able to invited there are hurt feelings and problems all round. Seen it happen several times.