Pears are in season and at their peak in fall and winter. They come in all shapes and sizes, several colors, are abundant, and are always elegant. Make the most of this seasonal favorite by using it as a theme for your couples engagement party!


The Invitation:
Choose an invitation that celebrates the colors of the season and it will also celebrate your theme. A simple invitation with two pears in the bottom corner or top center with the words:
“The Perfect Pair”
(names here)
request your prescience
To celebrate their engagement
On (date)
At (address)
RSVP


will be simple, and elegant, giving guests an idea of what to expect at your party.


Tip: Be sure to mail your invitations at least one month prior to the party. Out of town guests especially require advance notice to take care of work and home obligations while they will be gone.


Your Décor:

-Decorate around the pear theme. Use white or cream colored tablecloths and tulle in pear hues (green, yellow-green, burgundy, etc) on tables, chairs, and doorways.

-Top tables with pretty bowls filled with pears in all shapes, sizes, and colors or topiary trees with pears and fall/winter berries filling in any gaps.





Party Games

-Play a game like “The Newlywed Game” to see how well the couples know each other.

-Have guests write down as many famous couples throughout history as they can.

-Give the winning couple of the games a pair of movie tickets, or a certificate for dinner for two at a restaurant.





Interactive Idea:

Lay blank while cards (business card size or smaller) and pens on tables and have the person in charge of your party tell guests to write down one wish for the happy couple. Later in the evening, have someone collect the cards (or have guests place them in a pear shaped jar as they finish up) and then read them allowed, letting guests try to guess who wrote what wish. This would work best for a small gathering where the majority of the guests know one another. You can also use the same idea, but instead of reading them aloud save them for the happy couple to read later.


Party Favors

-Small pear-shaped trinket boxes fill with candies

-Give guests a delicate sugared pear (save money and make your own with the recipe below!) in a pretty, ribbon tied box with a card that states:

“The Perfect Pear”
(your names)
(the wedding date)
Thank you


Sugared Pears Recipe:

This recipe will yield about 10 pears. Adjust to meet your needs.


2 cups regular, granulated sugar
2 cups water
Pears
2 cups extra fine, or super fine sugar

1.Combine the regular, granulated sugar and water in a saucepan and heat on low, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves.
2.Bring to a simmer, and remove from heat.
3.Allow mixture to cool before going further or you risk ruining the pears, overnight if necessary.
4.Once mixture has cooled, holding the stem, dip a pear in to water/sugar mix and allow the excess to drain off.
5.Roll pear in extra fine sugar
6.Let pears dry then box

Note: It would probably be best to do this only one to two days before the day of the party.


The Menu:

-Go pear themed here as well, but be sure you don’t go overboard. You don’t have to put pears in everything! Here are a few ideas for pear-inspired dishes:

-Baked chicken with a pear honey glaze
-Fish and spinach with a spiced pear sauce
-Pork chops with pear sauce
-Pork tenderloin with pear sauce
-Poached pears with chocolate sauce