How to Throw a Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend Engagement Party (Food, Fashion, and Chic DIY Ideas)

Hi friends!

This party wasn’t flawless. I mean, I’d envisioned laughter, elegance, maybe a champagne toast or three under that “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” glow. Instead? I found myself ugly-crying in the bathroom, micromanaging plates like a stage manager, and wondering if someone had secretly signed me up for “Bridezilla: The Meltdown Edition.” Total mental breakdown territory. The photos turned out cute, sure, but behind the scenes? A hot mess express, full speed ahead. Needless to say, not part of the Pinterest-perfect plan.

Here’s the highlight reel, but I walk you through where it all went sideways and exactly how we turned it into a guiding light for anyone planning their own glam engagement bash here: What Went Wrong at My Engagement Party: How to Make Sure It Doesn't Happen to You

💍 Planning your own glam engagement party? Get my behind-the-scenes tips straight to your inbox here.

Setting the Scene:

Choosing a venue was way harder than it should have been. Everything was either tacky-banquet-hall vibes or “sell a kidney to afford the deposit.” The South Shore Art Center ended up being the winner, and honestly, thank God. The ceilings were high, the lighting was chic, and the artwork made it look like I’d hired an actual designer instead of just panicking with a Pinterest board. It gave the party the kind of drama I wanted without me having to fake being calm.

Theme: Bringing the Vision to Life

I wanted old-Hollywood glamour, but with pink sparkle that felt like me. Think Marilyn Monroe meets Barbie with a glue gun. We spray-painted wine bottles, stuffed them with string lights (it was cheaper than renting centerpieces). They ended up looking ridiculously good, especially with the roses, hydrangeas, and peonies we threw in.

The sweetest detail was the Under Lucky Stars posters with constellations from our relationship milestones, when we met, started dating, and the proposal. It was the one thing that turned out exactly how I pictured it, which is saying something. Between the metallic accents, crystal candle holders, and glitter everywhere, it wasn’t just “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.” It was sparkle in my shoes, in Jon’s hair, and probably in the mozzarella sticks.

A Feast for the Senses

Food makes or breaks a party, and I was not about to let people leave hungry. We did a mix of fancy-ish and unapologetically fun. Translation: yes, there were mozzarella sticks right next to bacon-wrapped pineapple and no, I don’t regret it for a second.

We had meatballs, toasted ravioli, chicken tenders, buffalo chicken egg rolls, bruschetta, basically everything you’d want if you were slightly tipsy and needed something delicious immediately. The star of the show was the charcuterie board. Picture cheeses, meats, fruits, and crackers laid out like they belonged in a magazine spread. It looked too pretty to touch for about five minutes until everyone realized it tasted as good as it looked, and then it was game over.

For dessert, we went sentimental. Our cake was a Strawberry Grand Marnier beauty from the same bakery that made my parents’ wedding cake. It was layered, boozy in the classiest way, covered in fresh strawberries, and probably the only thing on the menu my entire family agreed on. It was a moment.

Drinks? Handled by Caps Bar Co. Nick, our bartender, was a rock star. He kept the wine, seltzer, and beer flowing, smiled through the chaos, and basically made sure no one noticed when I was running late. That’s the kind of service that saves a bride-to-be’s sanity.

Fashion and Glamour:

The dress code was “formal with a pop of pink,” which basically meant I wanted everyone to look like they belonged in a vintage movie, but fun, not stuffy. And let me tell you, people understood the assignment.

For me, it had to be a moment. I wore a pink gown from Unique Vintage that was a straight-up replica of Margot Robbie’s Barbie press tour dress. It even had a zipper shaped like Barbie’s side profile, which was the kind of unnecessary detail that makes my Virgo placements very happy. It was dramatic, it was girly, it was unapologetically Barbie-core, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Jon looked sharp, our guests leaned into the pink theme, and the whole room felt cohesive without being “matchy-matchy bridesmaid dress nightmare.” Instead, it was glam in the best way: everyone dressed like they’d been invited to sparkle, and they delivered.

✨ PS: I’m sharing all my bridal shower and wedding planning updates in my newsletter! Join me here!

Creating Memorable Moments

The highlight of the night, besides me finally sitting down for five seconds, was the shoe game. If you don’t know it, picture Jon and me back-to-back, holding one of each other’s shoes, and answering questions like: “Who said I love you first?” or “Who’s the better cook?” Spoiler: the audience lost it when Jon confidently raised my shoe for that one. It was chaos in the best way, everyone was laughing, cheering, and a little too invested in our answers.

We’d also planned a couple of surprises, but like any good event, not everything went according to plan. A few things got scrapped last minute (the universe said, “not tonight”), but honestly, it didn’t even matter. The energy was already so high that the little misses just turned into inside jokes.

The playlist kept the vibe alive all night, think retro, romantic, and just enough cheese to make people want to dance. We had our special moments with “Have I Told You Lately” by Rod Stewart and “On Our Way” by Christina Aguilera, but by the end, it was less “Hollywood glam” and more “sweaty friends singing like it’s karaoke.” Which, if you ask me, is exactly how it should be.

Planning and Execution: Tips for Success

If there’s one thing I learned, it’s that planning a party is basically like producing a Broadway show, except the cast is your family, your fiancé, and your friends who may or may not read instructions. My secret weapons? Checklists, floor plans, and arriving obnoxiously early.

We got to the venue three hours ahead, and guess what? Still not enough. Add at least one extra hour if you don’t want to be setting up centerpieces in heels with your hair half-curled. Trust me, your stress levels will thank you.

Making a mock-up of each table was also a lifesaver. I labeled where everything went so our helpers couldn’t mess it up. It sounds extra, but it saved me from running around like a maniac fixing crooked vases.

And because life loves a plot twist, have a backup plan. A late vendor, bad weather, someone “forgetting” the champagne, curveballs will happen. The trick is having plan B ready so you don’t melt down mid-party.

Bottom line? A solid checklist, extra time, and a backup plan are the difference between sipping champagne looking chic… or crying in the bathroom with mascara running down your face. (Been there, don’t recommend.)

A Thank You to Our Support System

If there’s one thing this party proved, it’s that no glam event happens without a small army behind the scenes. My Best Man and his girlfriend (now fiancée!!) were actual lifesavers, picking up the cake, setting up the décor, and basically doing the jobs of three vendors without breaking a sweat. I owe them about a year’s worth of dinners.

Our friends and family showed up for us in the biggest way. From emotional support to literal heavy lifting, they turned what could’ve been a stress spiral into something fun. They didn’t just attend the party, they made the party.

And then there was Nick, our bartender from Caps Bar Co. The man deserves a standing ovation. He kept everyone’s glasses full, remembered people’s orders like it was the Oscars after-party, and somehow made me look like I’d planned it all flawlessly (spoiler: I hadn’t). He was calm, charming, and the exact vibe you want when you’re running around in heels trying not to smudge your lipstick.

Bottom line: our people carried us through the chaos, and I couldn’t have pulled this night off without them.

A Night to Remember

Our engagement party was filled with so much love and laughter, and we are incredibly grateful for everyone who was there to celebrate with us. Here's to many more joyful celebrations and treasured memories together!

🎀 Loved this peek into our engagement party? The next stop is my bridal shower, and I’m sharing all the details exclusively in my newsletter. Don’t miss it. Subscribe here.

With love,

Kacie

FAQ’s

Q: How do you plan a “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” engagement party theme?
A: Start with a color palette that screams vintage glam: blush pink, silver, and crystal. Then add sparkle everywhere: table runners, candle holders, glassware. Honestly, if it doesn’t shimmer under low lighting, it’s not invited. Bonus points for a signature cocktail and a dress code that makes people feel like they accidentally walked into an old Hollywood movie set.

Q: What food actually works for a glam engagement party?
A: Chic finger foods you can eat standing up with a glass of champagne in hand. Translation: mozzarella sticks, bacon-wrapped pineapple, bruschetta, and something sweet that looks way fancier than it is. For us, it was a Strawberry Grand Marnier cake. Don’t overthink it, glam doesn’t mean starving your guests with micro-greens on a plate.

Q: What should guests wear to a pink-and-silver formal party?
A: Think “classic black tie” but with a wink. For women, gowns or cocktail dresses with metallic accents and at least one pink detail (lip, clutch, heels… pick your weapon). For men, a suit with a pink tie or pocket square so they look coordinated without looking like they were forced.

Q: What games or activities actually land at an engagement party?
A: Skip the awkward icebreakers. Do the shoe game. It’s funny, interactive, and gets people yelling in the best way. It turns “formal party” into “fun party” in about five minutes.

Q: How far in advance should you book a venue in Massachusetts?
A: If it’s popular, 3–6 months minimum. South Shore spots like the Art Center fill up faster than you think. Don’t wait until the last minute unless you enjoy having meltdowns while scrolling through Google Maps.