A Romantic Valentine’s Day Wedding

Getting married on Valentine’s Day is a dream come true for many couples. The most romantic day of the year becomes even more special when it involves exchanging wedding vows. If you’re planning a Valentine’s Day wedding, you’ll want to incorporate romantic details and make the most of this love-filled holiday. Here’s everything you need to know about having a gorgeous Valentine’s Day wedding.

Why Have a Valentine’s Day Wedding?

There are several reasons why Valentine’s Day makes for a wonderful wedding date:

It’s Already All About Love

Valentine’s Day is dedicated to celebrating love, so it provides the perfect backdrop for a wedding. Your guests will already be in a loving mood, and your wedding will feel like the culmination of the romantic holiday.

Unique Date That’s Easy to Remember

A Valentine’s Day wedding date is unique and easy for you, your spouse, and your guests to remember in the future. Your anniversary will always align with Valentine’s Day, making gift-giving and celebration extra simple.

Fun Theme Potential

The Valentine’s Day theme lends itself perfectly to weddings. You can incorporate Valentine’s Day colors like red, pink, and white, along with hearts, flowers, chocolate, and all the romantic trimmings.

Special Venue Availability

Many venues offer special packages and pricing for Valentine’s Day weddings. The holiday falls during the off-season for weddings, so you may be able to book your dream venue for a lower cost.

Tips for Planning a Valentine’s Day Wedding

If you want to have your wedding on February 14th, here are some tips to make planning easy:

Book Early

Because it’s such a popular date, you’ll need to reserve your venue, vendors, and accommodations well in advance. Aim to book at least 12 months in advance if possible.

Hire a Planner

A wedding planner can be invaluable when planning a Valentine’s Day affair, as they have connections and experience pulling off short timeline weddings. They can assemble your team quickly.

Prioritize Key Vendors

Photographers, caterers, florists, and bakeries tend to get booked up quickly for Valentine’s weddings, so make hiring them your top priority. Move fast to get your desired vendors.

Get a ‘B’ List

Have back-up vendor options on your “B list” in case your top choices are not available on short notice. You don’t want to be left scrambling.

Send Save the Dates ASAP

Get save the date cards out as soon as you set your date. This allows guests to make arrangements for childcare, travel, accommodations, and time off work.

Order a Dress Early

Rush ordering a wedding dress can be pricey. Look for designers that offer expedited dress orders and discounts for ordering 9-12 months in advance.

Register Early

Take advantage of early bridal registry discounts and products. Crate a registry as soon as you have your date set so guests can take advantage of sales and discounts.

Venue Ideas for a Valentine’s Wedding

Finding a venue that fits the romantic spirit of your Valentine’s Day wedding is key. Here are some ideal venue options to consider:

Hotel Ballroom

Hotel ballrooms are made for romance! They often offer beautiful architecture, twinkling lights, and on-site accommodations for out-of-town guests. Having your reception and guest rooms all in one place makes things extra convenient.

Restaurant Buy-Out

For an intimate wedding, buy-out a fine dining restaurant for the evening. The ambiance will already fit a romantic Valentine’s Day mood. Plus, the restaurant staff can handle catering and service.

Winery/Vineyard

Wineries are stunning settings for weddings no matter the time of year. The vines and romantic architecture make for beautiful backdrops for photography. Many wineries already host Valentine’s Day events.

Boutique Museum or Gallery

For an urban chic vibe, a modern art museum or photo gallery can provide a sleek and romantic setting year round. You can even customize the art exhibit to fit your wedding theme.

Historic Mansion or Estate

For old world romance, consider booking a historic mansion or estate on or around Valentine’s Day. These venues are made for grand weddings and come decorated in an elegant style.

Rooftop Venue

A rooftop reception space offers gorgeous 360 degree views of the city lights. Cocktails in the cool night air make for a sophisticated and romantic experience. Look for rooftops with heat lamps.

Botanical Garden

Botanical gardens make for gorgeous year-round wedding venues, especially around Valentine’s when seasonal flowers may be in bloom. Exchange vows under a flowering archway or gazebo.

Catering for a Valentine’s Wedding

When it comes to catering, you’ll want to serve food and drinks that feel indulgent, pampering, and romantic. Here are some menu ideas that will wow your guests:

Decadent Dessert Bar

The way to everyone’s heart is through chocolate and sweets! Set up a dessert bar with chocolate covered strawberries, macarons, cake pops, pies, and an ice cream sundae station.

Oyster Bar

Oysters are known as an aphrodisiac, so serve them up on the half shell, Rockefeller style, or baked in a Valentine’s Day bar setting. Provide champagne for pairing.

Chocolate Fondue Fountain

Nothing says romance like melted chocolate! Let guests dip strawberries, pound cake, marshmallows, and rice krispy treats into a flowing chocolate or white chocolate fountain.

Heart-Shaped Foods

Incorporate heart shapes into your appetizers, main dishes, and desserts. Options include heart-shaped ravioli, pepperoni pizza, shrimp cocktails, and raspberry cheesecakes.

Late Night Slider Bar

After hours, surprise guests with a late night slider and fries station. Comfort food is the perfect end to a romantic wedding meal. Offer mini burgers, pork sandwiches, and chicken sliders.

Candy Buffet

Candy makes a fun alternative to late night snacks. Fill apothecary jars with conversation hearts, jelly beans, pink mints, chocolate kisses, and other Valentine’s Day candies.

Valentine’s Wedding Decor Ideas

When it comes to decor, you’ll want to deck the venue with accents that evoke romance. Some lovely ideas include:

Heart Accents

Use heart shapes in your floral arrangements, aisle markers, signage, chair decor, lighting, table numbers, and more. Heart decor shows up nicely in photos.

Candlelight

Candlelight sets a warm romantic ambiance. Use candelabras, hurricane vases, pillars, and votives to light up the venue. Candles look beautiful against dark wood, marble, or velvet.

Flower Petals

Scatter rose petals down the aisle, on reception tables, in centerpieces, and across the dancefloor. Opt for red or pink petals or have white petals dyed to match your color scheme.

Romantic Florals

Work with your florist to design arrangements with classic romantic blooms like roses, tulips, peonies, ranunculus, calla lilies, sweet peas, and freesia.

Mood Lighting

Use lighting to set a romantic vibe. String lights, lanterns, spot lighting, and gobos cast beautiful shadows and dimension. Uplighting also helps transform plain walls and ceilings.

Greenery Accents

Greenery is trending for wedding decor and adds a natural, organic feel even in winter. Incorporate eucalyptus garlands, olive branches, ivy, and ferns for texture.

Pink or Red Linens

Swap out basic white linens for pink or red versions. Colored tablecloths, napkins, table runners, chair sashes, and pillows enrich the space.

Marquee Signage

Light up signs with custom phrases about love or your names/initials make whimsical, romantic statements. They’re also perfect for photo ops!

Sweet and Sentimental Favors

Giving guests a little treat or memento is a nice gesture. For a Valentine’s wedding, choose favors with a loving message:

• Heart-shaped soaps or lotion
• Mini bottles of champagne
• Chocolate truffles or heart lollipops
• Personalized matchboxes or matchbooks
• Valentine’s candy in personalized packaging
• Cookie or cupcake in a box
• Engraved wine glasses or bottle openers
• Love poem scroll with ribbon
• Photo booth picture frame
• Donation made in guests’ honor

Wedding Dress Ideas for a Valentine’s Bride

For a Valentine’s wedding, it’s all about embracing romance when picking your bridal gown. Some flattering options include:

Ballgowns

Full ballgown silhouettes are made for fairytales. An embellished bodice and voluminous tulle skirt is ultra feminine and romantic.

Lace Dresses

Intricate lace over satin or tulle has a timeless wedding look. Opt for soft rose or blush lace rather than stark white.

Sheer Fabrics

Dresses with sheer fabric panels, cutout backs, or illusion necklines manage to be sexy, modern and romantic. Sparkly beaded accents enhance the style.

Long Sleeves

Valentine’s weddings in winter call for long sleeve dresses. Illusion, sheer, and lace sleeves provide coverage while still allowing you to wear a sleeveless dress.

Blush or Pink

Get in the Valentine’s Day spirit with a pale pink or blush colored dress. It will especially pop against wintery white backdrops.

Metallic Fabrics

Metallics like rose gold, silver and champagne shimmer and shine. A beaded metallic bodice can give the look an extra sprinkle of glam.

Backless

A low open back is a pretty, alluring detail for brides. Backless dresses complement winter indoor receptions where you don’t have to worry about covering up.

Detachable Trains

Detachable trains allow you to have a dramatic cathedral length aisle look which can be removed for dancing after the ceremony. It’s the best of both worlds!

Tuxedo and Suit Options for Grooms

Grooms have lots of stylish suit and tux options for a Valentine’s wedding:

• Black tuxedo: The classic, timeless choice for an evening wedding. Go for a satin lapel and bow tie.
• Midnight blue tux: A darker take on black that photographs beautifully and feels ultra-luxe.
• Burgundy velvet jacket: For a winter wedding, a rich velvet dinner jacket looks sharp and elegant.
• Metallic accents: Details like a copper or rose gold vest, tie, or pocket square add modern interest.
• Blush jacket: As an alternative to black, a soft pink or “blush” colored tux jacket is totally on trend.
• Two piece suit: Opt for a fitted two piece suit in blue, gray, or black. Add pops of color with the tie and pocket square.
• Patterned jacket: Subtle houndstooth, glenplaid, or pinstripes make for eye-catching layering patterns under a solid tux vest.
• White dinner jacket: In warmer climates, a crisp white jacket suits the romantic occasion.

Bouquet and Boutonnière Inspiration

The wedding flowers carry extra importance as the backdrop for photos and ceremony. For Valentine’s Day, roses are traditional but not the only option:

Bouquet ideas:

• Cascade of red roses
• Peonies and ranunculus
• Seeded eucalyptus with blush roses
• Tulips and calla lilies
• Dark burgundy dahlias
• Tight round white rose posy

Boutonnière inspirations:

• Single red rose
• Rosebud paired with eucalyptus
• Feathered tulle and succulent
• Sprig of heather or thistle
• Dash of baby’s breath
• Twine wrapped orchid bloom

Sweet Valentine’s Day Photo Ops

A Valentine’s Day wedding opens up lots of fun themed photo possibilities you won’t get at other times of the year.

• Sitting on a red velvet sofa with heart pillows
• Holding large foil balloons with romantic phrases
• Embracing under a rose-covered arbor or lattice wall
• Walking hand in hand down a street lined with twinkling lights
• Cutting a bright pink or red velvet cake together
• Kissing under falling rose petals
• Wearing candy heart sunglasses or sequin lips
• Holding matching milkshakes with cherries and whipped cream
• Sitting side by side enjoying chocolate covered strawberries
• Dancing tenderly with foreheads touching

Entertainment Ideas for Valentine’s Celebrations

The entertainment helps get guests into the Valentine’s spirit. Some fun options include:

• Violinist – A live violinist can play pop love songs and classics during the ceremony and cocktail hour.
• Jazz Trio – For reception music, a jazz piano trio or quartet sets a sophisticated lounge vibe.
• Photo Booth – Provide silly romantic props like oversized lips, chocolates, rose bouquets and heart stuffed animals.
• Caricature Artist – Hire a caricature artist to draw quick fun portraits of couples for take-home souvenirs.
• Casino Games – Set up casino tables like blackjack, roulette and craps for guests to mingle over.
• Tarot Card Reader – For laughs, have a psychic provide (fake) tarot card readings to predict couples’ futures together.
• Cupid Dancer – A Cupid dancer wearing wings and a diaper can hand out cards and candy. They make a cute addition to the dance floor!
• Fireworks – If your venue allows, end the night with a vibrant heart-shaped fireworks show.

Signature Drinks for the Occasion

Offering unique cocktail drinks is a simple way to embrace the holiday. Some possibilities include:

• Sweetheart Sangria – Red wine sangria with citrus and berries
• Kiss Me Cosmo – A cranberry cosmos garnished with lip-shaped candy
• XOXO Fizz – A rosé champagne cocktail with grapefruit liqueur
• Sweetheart Cider – Warm spiced apple cider with cinnamon red hots
• Cupid’s Arrow – A passionfruit mojito with a skewered cherry
• Be My Valentine – A tequila “love potion” with blood orange and grenadine

Vow Inspiration for a Valentine’s Wedding

Exchanging heartfelt vows is the highlight of any wedding. For a Valentine’s date, work in some romantic phrases:

• I promise to always be your Valentine.
• This day is a dream come true.
• You are my one true love.
• I vow to love you more each and every day.
• From this day forward, I choose you.
• I feel so lucky to call you mine.
• I promise to keep your heart safe.
• You are my happily ever after.
• I love you with all that I am.
• Our lives together start today.
• This is the first day of forever.

Unique Details for a Valentine’s Themed Reception

To carry through the Valentine’s Day theme at your reception, incorporate sweet details like:

• Heart shaped cake with red velvet and white chocolate tiers
• Escort cards attached to Hershey’s kisses
• Chair covers in red or pink satin with heart ties
• Centerpieces featuring paper doilies, Conversation Hearts candy, and glittery glass hearts
• Red roses to hand out as a party favor on the dance floor
• A self-serve hot cocoa bar with whipped cream and candy toppings
• Linens and napkins in shades of red, pink and white
• A candy buffet filled with Valentine’s treats like chocolate hearts and cupids
• Place cards held in heart shaped frames at each place setting
• Table numbers displayed on stands decorated like gift boxes with giant bows

Say “I Do” on Valentine’s Day!

Getting married on February 14th is a beautiful way to forever connect your love story to the most romantic day of the year. With dreamy details and love-filled celebration, you can’t go wrong exchanging vows on Valentine’s Day!

Frequently Asked Questions About Valentine’s Day Weddings

Here are answers to some common questions about planning a Valentine’s Day wedding:

Q: Are vendors more expensive for Valentine’s Day weddings?

A: Some vendors may charge a small premium for Valentine’s Day due to high demand. However, you can avoid premiums by booking early before vendors fill up.

Q: Should you send Valentine’s themed wedding invitations?

A: Yes, Valentine’s invitations set the theme upfront! Include heart shapes, red coloring, rose graphics, love poems, etc. to indicate the date and feel.

Q: What should you know about guest accommodations?

A: Reserve a room block early at a nearby hotel. Valentine’s falls during a slow season, so negotiate a discounted rate for your guests.

Q: How can you decorate a winter wedding in Valentine’s style on a budget?

A: Use inexpensive details like paper heart garlands, string lights, tea light candles, artificial rose petals, and DIY chalkboard signs with romantic quotes. Linens underlay your own tablecloths in red or pink.

Q: What bridal beauty tips help create a romantic Valentine’s look?

A: Opt for soft smokey eyes, bold lashes, rose gold or pink shimmery eye shades, nude or pink lips, loose curls or waves in your hair, and a delicate floral crown or headpiece. Stay glamorous yet sweet!

Conclusion

A Valentine’s Day wedding is a unique and intimate way to celebrate your love story in style. From festive decor to romantic vows, you can infuse your entire affair with the beauty of the holiday. With thoughtful planning using the tips above, you’re sure to have a day filled with romance, elegance, and dazzling details. Discover the best rings for boys that perfectly embody your unique style, and express your affection by ‘saying I do’ amidst dazzling lights, flowers, and tender moments with your nearest and dearest. Let your wedding go down in history as a truly remarkable Valentine’s Day to remember, adorned with a symbol of timeless love on his finger.