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In a perfect world, your parents would be able to come together and put aside their differences and make peace for at least a day to share in your celebration. This isn't always the case though and there are some small ways to ensure both your parents take part in your day without bickering and causing you're a major headache.
The first and foremost idea is to keep your parents separated, but involved in your rehearsal, wedding day, and reception. Each parent could have different roles throughout the whole ordeal - your mom could help out with some wedding details while your dad tends to out of town guests. One could attend the rehearsal and the other attend the dinner rehearsal. One parent could participate in the wedding while the other does something special at the reception (father walks the bride down the aisle while the mother introduces the new bride and groom or makes a special toast).
Another thing to consider is seating and the placement of the divorced parents at the wedding ceremony and reception. Parents can be kept separated by a row and have some relatives sit in between them. At the reception, parents can be seated with their own immediate family and friends, spaced a few tables away from each other.
No matter what, try and sit down with your parents and let them know how important and special this day is for you. They may surprise you and will do their best to make things as smoothly as possible for you on this day.
 Engagement parties are traditionally parties thrown by the bride's parents to celebrate and announce her engagement. Some couples are opting to forgo the engagement party and instead place their engagements announcements in the local newspaper or send out "Save the Date" cards to their guests well in advance of the wedding.
Here are some general rules for engagement parties if you do decide to have one.
- Engagement parties are generally held after the couple is officially engaged and at a time when the future bride and groom can both be present to celebrate.
- Most engagement parties are smaller, more intimate affairs involving close friends and family. They are generally not huge, formal events where everyone is invited. As a general rule though, you probably do not want to invite people to your engagement party that you will not invite to your wedding.
- Gifts should not be expected and the couple should not have registered for the engagement party. The registry should be for the wedding only, though guests may decide to bring a gift for the couple.
- Since engagement parties are smaller, close knit celebrations any location should be appropriate for the party - from the bride's parent's house, to a favorite local restaurant or other favorite location.
- If throwing your own engagement party, you can get a little creative with the time and location as well. You could have an outdoor affair (picnic in the park, perhaps) or even go to the place where you and your partner went for your first date.
The wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner have become a commonplace event that was not so common before the turn of the last century. It is a special event - sometimes even a mini family reunion - that the groom's parents customarily pay for. Usually the rehearsal dinner is held a local restaurant, club, or other favorite location and is attended by the bridal parents, their significant others, close family relatives and close family friends.
A lot of families use the rehearsal dinner as a time for getting together with relatives who may come into town for the wedding. It's a great way to spend a little extra time with people who you don't get to see very often.
The rehearsal dinner is generally a much smaller, intimate affair to celebrate right before the big day starts.
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