It might be (very) early in January, but it’s never too early to begin thinking about how you’ll spend your Valentine’s Day—especially if you plan on getting married on or around the special day of love in mid-February. Valentine’s Day-themed weddings can be incredibly romantic for you and your partner, and also especially cherished memories for your guests. Valentine’s Day is all about grand expressions of love, so when you think about it, a wedding is probably the best way to celebrate.
Great news, love birds! Holding your wedding on or around Valentine’s Day is more than just a pipe dream! You can also hold a Valentine’s Day-themed Long Island wedding the day after the actual day, or even the week before or after. As long as it’s near February 14 and properly themed, your guests will get the idea.
Of course, there are a couple of drawbacks to getting married on Valentine’s Day, with the main hazard being that it can be easy to fall into the trap of tacky decorations and cliché displays. But a little attention to detail and careful planning can help you avoid having a Valentine’s Day wedding that’s all cartoon hearts and arrow-shooting cupids.
So how does one avoid those trappings? And what can you do to make your wedding Valentine’s Day themed while also keeping it classy and refined? We’re glad you asked! There are many opportunities, including invitations, wedding dresses, bridal party attire, music, color palette, and more!
Your wedding is the most exciting day of your life, and for anyone planning to have it on the most romantic day of the year, we’ve gathered some of the most important elements that will definitely help you tie everything together into a beautiful ode to love and personalize your celebration.
Wedding Invitations
Almost all wedding invitation designs can be classified as romantic, so steering it toward a Valentine’s Day theme shouldn’t be too difficult. Choose a wedding invitation design with double hearts—perhaps with arrows going through—or maybe even doves or something that’s symbolic of Valentine’s Day, but is also classy. Incorporating this style into your wedding invitations can really help you set the mood for your nuptials. Finish your wedding invitations with red-lined envelopes and love-themed stamps
Wedding Dress
One of the most essential elements of a Valentine’s Day wedding is a truly breathtaking wedding dress design. Consider adding a touch of red or pink to your gown, but be careful not to go overboard! Lace or pearl accents are also stunning, as are full skirts, sweetheart necklines or off-the-shoulder collars. These are all superb choices that will leave your guests (and your soon-to-be partner) utterly stunned by your sheer beauty.
Bridal Party Attire
If you have a groom and groomsmen, they should be dressed in classic, formal tuxes to fully capture the classical romance of Valentine’s Day. You can also consider using bold red or pink vests to highlight the day’s theme. As for the bridal party, they should be dressed just as romantically, but obviously a bit more reserved than the bride—you don’t want to be overshadowed by your bridesmaids! Consider having your bridesmaids wear a somewhat subtle shade of pink. This way they match the Valentine’s Day vibe without being too flashy or garish.
Wedding Flowers
Everyone loves getting flowers on Valentine’s Day, so what better way to mark the occasion than by sprouting lovely floral arrangements on your wedding day? Roses are probably the most popular flower choice on Valentine’s Day, and with so many different hues of roses, there are plenty of options to match your wedding color palette. Other flower options include tulips and lilies, which are also found in shades of red and pink. No matter which bloom you choose, your flower arrangements should be cascading and almost everywhere—filling your wedding venue with the romantic scent and beautiful colors of flowers.
Wedding Decorations
This is the danger zone we mentioned earlier. You want your wedding venue to be dressed up for Valentine’s Day without it looking like it was decorated by an elementary school class. Look for elegant touches like candles, ribbons, and lace—each of which can be lovely when put in place by the right hands. If you do desire some heart-shaped elements, consider scattering heart-shaped confetti on the wedding tables. You can also fill vases with pink and red colored marbles to really make your floral arrangements pop. Meanwhile, lace runners are perfect for buffet tables and an expertly crafted entrance arch can make for a wonderful photo backdrop and an overall memorable feature.
Wedding Food, Cake & Cocktails
Wedding menus often include all of the aphrodisiac indulgences required by a Valentine’s Day themed event, but it can’t hurt to make sure a few of the most important bites are represented. Ask your Long Island wedding venue if it’s possible to include oysters as one of your starters and maybe even some chocolate-covered strawberries for dessert. As a Valentine’s Day wedding is inherently a winter wedding, look into the possibility of including some warming cocktails at the bar—even something as simple as hot cocoa can go a long way! As for the wedding cake, your Valentine’s Day wedding should serve a cake that is rich and elegant, with colors matching the event. Think about red velvet or a white chocolate preparation, perhaps with strawberry or raspberry fillings. And of course, champagne is essential for all weddings, but think about choosing pink champagne for an extra shot of romance.
Wedding Favors
Thank your guests for attending and send them on their way with romantically tinged wedding favors. Consider heart-shaped candies with messages of love, special Valentine’s Day M&M’s, decadent wedding truffles or even a mini Whitman’s Sampler for the ultimate Valentine’s Day throwback.
Wedding Music
Of course, no wedding is complete without memorable music to dance to all night long. While most wedding reception songs are inspired by love, go out of your way to choose songs with “love” in the title or prominently featured in the lyrics. What’s more, creating a loving playlist for your wedding is a fun activity that you can share with your partner while wedding planning!
