Ideas for Hosting a Modern Cinco de Mayo Engagement Party

Everyone loves a fiesta! So why not bring the bold colors and festive ambiance of Cinco de Mayo to your May-time engagement party? We found loads of decorating ideas on the web, but decided to pass on the overly traditional ones and share with you those with a stylish and modern flair.

This approach allows you to creatively substitute accent pieces and materials you may already have to capture that fiesta spirit, without needing to go all-out, store-bought Cinco de Mayo. Plus, you can prepare your own Mexican-inspired dishes and desserts. Just check out these fun finds, and get ready to fiesta!

Make it Fun and Festive for Everyone!

1. Festive lighting is a must at a fiesta. So check out these super-easy DIY votive holders we found on a children’s crafting blog, Inner Child Fun. Multi-colored tissue paper, Elmer’s glue, and a permanent marker are all you need!
2. Decoupaged coasters found on Etsy are actually ceramic tiles made to look like Old World Spanish floor and wall tiles. Wouldn’t these make for a snazzy margarita display?
3. Consider decorating with original art prints or paintings like this Frida Kahlo-inspired one by Time with Tascha. Wouldn’t this make a charming backdrop for a dessert table filled with Mexican treats?
4. Who would have thought? Mini-piñatas that you can DIY via Oh Happy Day! Check out how to make these fun pieces and guests of all ages will be thoroughly amused.
5. Another tradition at Mexican fiestas are brightly-colored paper flowers. So easy to hand make, like these cheery ones on Fresh and Vintage, they instantly set the fun mood at a party.
6. Papel picado flaglets in a rainbow array of colors would light up any party venue in true Cinco de Mayo style. These ones are available at Mexican Sugar Skull, and would make great place card or table number holders!
7. Get the party started way ahead of the day itself with chic party invitations bearing a Mexican table bar on a midnight backdrop via My Expression.
8. Wooden maracas are another great fiesta accessory. Take inspiration from hand-painted ones shown on Mishka Designs, and turn them into one-of-a-kind centerpieces or even personalized engagement party favors!

And Don’t Forget the Food

1. Serve up platters of crunchy Mexican quesadillas with different fillings. Our flavorful suggestion: Chicken Quesadillas with Avocado-Tomato Salsa, found at Delish! Yummy recipe included.
2. Put a twist on the classic lime margarita by using blood orange or pomegranate, and serving it on the rocks! Delish offers a recipe for this party refresher, along with many other Cinco de Mayo dishes and drinks.
3. These lime-and-coconut cookies may not actually be Mexican at all. But we love how they were presented on Two Peas & Their Pod as a Cinco de Mayo dessert idea. They do have lime in them after all! Plus, they can be given to guests as favors!
4. Coctel de Camarones (doesn’t it sound more exotic in Spanish?) or Mexican shrimp cocktail is a delicious party starter, served chilled in a decorative glass with a dash of hot sauce. Try out this recipe from Eating Well.
5. Speaking of refreshing, check out these lovely-looking cupcakes that actually hide a kick of tequila in both the cake and the frosting! Brown-eyed Baker shares her own take on this treat, perfect for Cinco de Mayo.