Valentine’s Day is often centered around romance, but Galentine’s Day—February 13th—is all about celebrating the incredible women in your life! Whether you’re single, taken, or somewhere in between, a Galentine’s party is the perfect excuse to gather your girlfriends for a night of good time, and lasting memories.

Every great party needs a theme, and Galentine’s Day is no exception! Whether you’re feeling fancy with a “Galentine’s Day Glam” theme or keeping it cozy with a “Pajama Party” theme, the options are endless. Get creative with decorations, food, and drinks that tie into your theme to set the mood.

I had a pleasure of photographing Galentine’s Day Party hosted by the Maxwell in Raleigh. This popular and gorgeous venue is mostly known for hosting unforgettable weddings, but they also host all sorts of parties like corporate events, baby showers, holiday parties, anniversary dinners etc.

I hope you find this Galentine’s Day party guide helpful in planning your next party with the amazing women you know!

Adorable Valentine’s-Themed Decor

Transform your space into a dreamy, love-filled haven with chic and charming decorations. Think soft pinks, vibrant reds, and glimmers of gold. Here are some decor ideas:

Balloon Garland: Create a stunning backdrop with pink, red, and white balloons, accented with heart-shaped foil balloons.
Table Setting: Opt for elegant heart-shaped plates, gold cutlery, and festive napkins with fun Galentine’s quotes.
Floral Arrangements: Bouquets of fresh roses, tulips, or peonies in shades of pink and red make beautiful centerpieces.
Fairy Lights & Candles: A soft, twinkling glow from fairy lights and scented candles will add a warm and cozy touch.
Photo Booth: Set up a designated selfie station with fun props like heart-shaped sunglasses, feather boas, and cute signs.

Raleigh event photographer. Adorable ladies wearing pink and red clothes posing for a photo at a Galentine's party at the Maxwell Raleigh, NC.

Chic & Playful Galentine’s Outfits

Dressing up is part of the fun! And let’s not forget the accessories! Whether you’re going for cozy or glamorous, here are some outfit ideas to match the festive vibe:

Classy & Chic: A satin slip dress in blush or red paired with elegant heels and dainty jewelry.
Casual & Cute: A heart-patterned sweater with jeans or a pink skater dress.
Cozy & Fun: Valentine’s themed pajamas for an ultimate girls’ night in!
Bold & Fabulous: A statement red power suit for a confident and stylish look.

Galentine's day pajama party outfit inspo by Magdalena Stefanek Photography

Fun Galentine’s Party Activities

Keep the party going with some fun activities and games! Whether you’re testing your knowledge with a Galentine’s Day trivia game or getting crafty there are plenty of ways to keep the fun going. Here are some ideas to keep the celebration going:

DIY Craft Station: Make friendship bracelets, make a Valentine’s card, decorate heart-shaped cookies, make a lip balm or a candle.
Rom-Com Movie Marathon: Curl up with cozy blankets and watch classics like Legally Blonde, Bridesmaids, or The Notebook.
Sip & Paint: Enjoy wine and unleash your inner artist with a Valentine’s theme painting session.
Gratitude Circle: Share heartfelt appreciation for each other with handwritten notes or spoken affirmations.
Dance Party: Curate a playlist of empowering and fun songs to dance the night away!

Galentine's day themed party at the Maxwell Raleigh, NC. Ladies wearing reds and pink outfits posing at a photobooth.

Party goers having mingling at an Event at the Maxwell Raleigh, NC

Valentine’s themed food and drinks

Don’t forget to include valentine’s themed finger foods and drinks. This Galentine’s Day party guide wouldn’t be complete without some yummy food ideas. Since this party is attended by women I think finger foods and light appetizers are perfect! Charcuterie board is always a great choice. Don’t forget to include some fun cocktails and mocktails, or a very popular champagne tower! Pinterest is a great source of fun party food ideas and recipes.

Galentine's party charcuterie board. Food photographer Raleigh, NC.

Custom drink for a valentine's or galentine's party. raleigh food photographer magdalena stefanek.

Final Thoughts

A Galentine’s party is more than just a fun celebration—it’s a reminder of the power of female friendships. Girlfriends provide unwavering support, endless laughter, and a safe space to be yourself. Galentine’s Day is a beautiful way to honor these relationships and show appreciation for the incredible women who make life so much brighter. So, gather your best gals, plan a fabulous soirée, and toast to the incredible bond of friendship! I hope you found this Galentine’s Day party guide inspiring! To view more examples of my work click here.

The following vendors participated the Galentine’s event pictured above:

Venue: The Maxwell

Catering: Donovan’s Dish

Music: DJ Ones

Planning: The Maxwell Team

Florals: Once Gathered

Photobooth: Spark Photo Booth

Photography: Magdalena Stefanek Photo