Valentines Day Wedding ideas

With Valentines Day being one of the most popular dates for proposals, there are lots of newly engaged brides-to-be looking for the perfect date for their nuptials. Why not mark the occasion by booking your wedding for the same date; February 14th. Inspired? Here are our top tips for Valentines wedding days…

THE CEREMONY Romance, elegance, and intimacy are your buzzwords for the day. Keep the space as small as possible so your guests can see and feel every word of your vows – if you have a large guestlist, seat people close together and as far forward as possible. Consider lighting the room with candles so you are bathed in a warm, flickering light as you become husband and wife. Place large candelabras either side of the aisle and dot pillar candles and tealights in jam jars on every surface. If your wedding is outside, time your vows for sunset to take advantage of the stunning orange-hued glow as the sun dips below the horizon.

THE MUSIC Picking love songs for the ceremony is an obvious choice, but why not book a string quartet or harpist to play them? If you want to up the tempo, a soul or gospel choir will give your guests a reason to smile as you walk back down the aisle and start the party. For the evening, create a playlist of your favourite love songs for the DJ to play – or book a rat-pack style band to play a medley of old-time classics that every generation will want to dance to.

THE FLOWERS Red roses come with an inflated price tag around February 14th, so consider choosing a classic white bouquet and asking your florist to bind them in deep red ribbon. Our choice would be lilies, tulips, or hydrangeas. If you can’t bear to go without red roses, buy them sparingly and scatter the petals amongst your tea lights or wind individual flowers around candelbras. Just a few can make a big impact.

THE DRESS Such a romantic date calls for a dress that is timeless in its style and very classic in its shape. Think along the lines of the elegant lace-sleeved gown worn by Kate Middleton to marry Prince William, which is almost identical in style to that worn by Hollywood startlet Grace Kelly when she wed Prince Ranier two generations before. Steer clear of dresses with red elements and keep it simple in ivory or white – but why not add a splash of colour with elegant ruby earrings, necklace, and bracelet?

DINNER Give each table a love-inspired name, such as the title of a famous romance novel. Order copies of the novels online (or hunt for old copies in secondhand bookstores) and use the book as a centre piece –Price and Predujice”, “Bonnie and Clyde” and “Gone with the Wind” are all great choices. When it comes to the menu, pick passionate choices along the lines of asparagus, oysters, and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

THE FINAL TOUCHES Dot framed wedding photographs of your nearest and dearest around the venue as an homage to long, happy marriages – vintage photographs of your grandparents and even great-parents on their wedding day would be a lovely touch. Ask your florist to provide a ‘wish tree’ and ask guests to clip a wish for your married life to the branches over the course of the day. Alternatively, put the wishes inside a sealed bottle to be opened on your first wedding anniversary.