Is it necessary to have an engagement party when both families live on the opposite side of the state?

My fiance and I just got engaged this past weekend. His family lives on the east side of the state while mine lives on the west side of the state; we live southeast of the state. Is it necessary to have 1 big party or have 2 separate parties since it would be hard for the families to meet at one place at one time? We are also not getting married for a few years anyways. New to all this please help!!!



Thanks!Is it necessary to have an engagement party when both families live on the opposite side of the state?
The point of an engagement party is for the two families to meet and get to know each other basically so they would both need to be there.



That being said, engagement parties are not requirements...they're never necessary. If you don't think parents and siblings; aunts, uncles, cousins etc can make it...don't have a party. You can always invite the parents over sometime for dinner and allow them to meet that way. So much easier and less expensive than planning a party.
It's never necessary to have an engagement party. Most people don't have them at all. The purpose of them is for the parents to formally announce the engagement and for families/friends meet each other. If you are not going to be actively planning a wedding for a few years, there really is no point in a party anyway.Is it necessary to have an engagement party when both families live on the opposite side of the state?
it's never necessary to have an engagement party. besides my own, I've only ever been to one other but I've been to about 25 weddings. so I guess most people don't bother. you could just go to dinner with each set of parents sometime soon and leave it at that. I say there are too many wedding events as it is where guests need to bring you gifts- the shower, bachelorette and bachelor party.
Not at all. We didn't have one, and we're in a very similar situation. My parents live relatively close to my husband and I, but his parents are about 1200km north of us.



Instead, we arranged a lunch the day before the wedding. My mum and stepdad weren't able to come, but my dad and grandma were able to meet his parents.Is it necessary to have an engagement party when both families live on the opposite side of the state?
There is no reason for an engagement party. It is another way for greedy couples to get more presents and money. And you may never get married. I give only one gift to anyone getting married. A shower gift or a wedding gift. I see more and more people doing the same.
Engagement parties aren't necessary at all. If a family wants to host one for you, that's nice, but it's not thought of in teh same way a reception is.
An engagement party is never "necessary" even if both families lived in the exact same city/town. An engagement party is always an optional party as is a bridal shower.
An engagement party is never necessary. Since it sounds like it would be a burden for people to travel, you can certainly skip having one.
No, actually, an engagement party is never necessary.