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PHOTO BY I HEART MY GROOM; PLANNING BY WILD HEART EVENTS; FLORAL DESIGN BY NATIVE POPPY
Every year, February 14 is filled with fresh flowers, chocolates, hearts, letters of affection, and—most importantly—those we love. Why not celebrate by incorporating all that into a wedding? After all, Valentine's Day is about expressing your love—and we can't think of anything more romantic than saying "I do" on this special holiday. Worried it will read more cheesy than romantic? Think again! We're here to prove that a wedding on Valentine's Day can be chic.
The first step in planning a Valentine's Day wedding is deciding how you want to embrace the theme. To help you get started, our editors searched our real wedding photo galleries and called on pro party planners to curate a selection of ideas that are perfectly appropriate for a V-day wedding. From subtle bouquets of long-stemmed roses and heart-accented jewelry to tablescapes that scream romance, we have inspiration for every style of couple and level of Valentine's enthusiast.
Remember: You can incorporate these elements whether you're marrying on February 14 or July 14. Weddings are about love, and we endorse hearts, flowers, and grand romantic gestures no matter the date.
Keep reading for 28 Valentine's Day wedding ideas that will get you inspired for your big day.
Send Themed Invitations
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A well-designed invitation suite is the best way to set the mood for any celebration. If you're personalizing yours to a Valentine's Day theme, try incorporating a romantic touch like this custom heart-shaped illustration, a red-scalloped border, or even a pretty calligraphy script.
Decorate With Hearts and Flowers
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Naturally, a Valentine's Day wedding must include all the hearts and flowers. Embrace the holiday favorites by incorporating them into your wedding decor and personalized touches throughout the day. We especially love this floral-decorated truck bed with a custom sign, which could double as a statement entrance at the ceremony and a photo booth at the reception.
Wear Heart-Shaped Jewelry
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Heart-shaped jewelry is a must-have for a Valentine's Day event, and these Rebecca de Ravenel statement earrings are no exception. If you want something less flashy for the ceremony, try heart-shaped diamond stud earrings or a charm bracelet. For the rehearsal dinner or reception, consider adding another fun accessory in a metallic or bright hue (as bride Tara did here).
Carry a Festive Clutch
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A fun clutch that matches the theme is another go-to accessory. We love this red and gold Edie Parker clutch for any celebration, but especially for a V-day wedding. You can also don a heart-shaped clutch or something more simple, like one in solid red or pink.
Dress Bridesmaids in Red
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Let your ladies embrace the theme, too, by dressing them in red or pink bridesmaid dresses. You can even choose gowns with a heart print as these bridesmaids wore at Harley Viera-Newton's whimsical wedding in New York City. To avoid looking too matchy-matchy, consider letting them accessorize on their own.
Add a Simple Romantic Touch
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Photo by The Gold Collective; Wedding Dress by Hermione de Paula
Not a fan of red hearts all over? That's okay, too. Take this heirloom gown by Hermione de Paula as proof that hearts are equally as special in disguise.
Wear a Pink Dress
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Consider trading the traditional white wedding dress for a blush—or red!—gown. Even better if it has floral adornments, lace, or other romantic touches. Also, if there's a fun heart-shaped landmark near your wedding venue, embrace it as a backdrop for some memorable pre- or post-ceremony portraits with your partner, as this couple did.
Keep a Love Note Close
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We love the idea of hiding a sweet love note inside a suit jacket, tie, or handkerchief. Is there any better way to tell your future husband/father/brother/best man how much you love them? If you're the bride, you can stitch one onto your dress hem or embroider a few sweet words only you'll notice on your gown's skirt or sleeves.
Style Your Flower Girls
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There are so many romantic dresses on the market, so consider dressing your littlest attendants in a style that feels fitting for the big day. At this flower-filled wedding in Washington, D.C., the adorable squad of flower girls wore soft pink dresses with heart-shaped keyholes. Too cute!
Include Heart-Shaped Props
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Flowers girls can also embrace heart-shaped accessories. At Mary Lawless Lee's Nashville wedding, her six (yes, six!) flower girls wore BHLDN dresses and posed with hearts made of olive branches for photos.
...With Accessories to Match
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You can re-create this idea with delicate baby's breath, too, or any other flowers that match your decor. Take it to the next level by dressing your small attendants in flower crowns to match.
Fly Heart-Shaped Balloons
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Looking for another heart-shaped prop? We're obsessed with these biodegradable balloons as a fun accessory for your flower girls and ring bearer. You can also incorporate them into your reception and ceremony decor.
Exchange Valentine's Cards
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Obviously, every couple getting married on the day of love must exchange Valentine's cards. You can do this before the ceremony with a note that fits your style, whether it's over-the-top romantic or totally punny.
Carry a Rose Bouquet
Roses are, naturally, a must-have on Valentine's Day. Rye Workshop created this bride's bouquet of light pink long-stem roses, arranged in a modern style inspired by a Gucci Resort fashion show. You can carry a bouquet of roses in any color that fits your palette or go with red for a classic look.
Opt for a Heart-Shaped Altar
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If a ceremony is all about declaring your love for one another, why not say "I do" under an actual heart? We're obsessed with this statement-making altar of baby's breath in a pretty pink hue—not to mention the boho carpets and pampas grass surrounding it!
Decorate the Bar
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Yes, even the bar can be touched with a little V-day charm. This mobile bar setup incorporates various textures and styles that seamlessly blend together, thanks to a consistent pink and white color palette.
Have a Themed Escort Card Display
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The heart shape isn't the only reason we're into this escort card display. First, we love how each card—ahem, we mean bud vase—doubles as a favor. Plus, look at the text above! And, at this reception, the couple named each table after a place they've lived or traveled to together, playing up that their loved ones traveled from all over to celebrate their love.
Create a Romantic Guest-Book for Attendees to Sign
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Photo by Sarah Joy Photo
Guest books are a great way to remind you of your special day for years to come. This couple added a unique and romantic twist to the idea by having their guests sign wooden hearts and place them into a keepsake box.
Incorporate Lots of Roses
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There's something so romantic about an antique setting and an abundance of roses. We're all about taking this look to the next level with modern ghost chairs and an unexpected pop of blue-and-white Chinoiserie.
Hang a Heart-Shaped Neon Sign
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A modern neon sign, like this glowing heart, is a cool and funky way to incorporate some Valentine's Day details. For another twist, consider pairing red with natural and dark undertones for an unexpected (and unique!) mix of styles and palettes.
Add Blush Accents to Your Table Design
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Photo by Abby Jiu
Is there a more elegant and romantic color than blush pink? We love how this couple incorporated the color into their table design, including the candles, table runners, and even the napkins.
Give Flowers as Favors
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Give your guests the quintessential Valentine's Day gift as favors: flowers! This couple hired a flower truck to create custom bouquets for their guests. What a fun idea for your reception!
Adorn Your Cake With Hearts
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A great bakery will have tons of romantic cake styles for you to choose from, both simple and over-the-top. One idea is to have your caterer cut tiny red hearts out of fondant for a cute wedding cake decoration. As a final touch, personalize your cake topper, as this couple of cat-lovers did.
Include Heart-Shaped Sweets in Your Dessert Bar
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Photo by Adriana Rivera
Weave Valentine's Day into your dessert bar by adding sweet, love-themed treats throughout your display. This couple had heart-shaped, glittery pink cookies at their wedding. They also make for a fun goodie that your guests can take with them as the night comes to a close.
Focalize a Romantic Display
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Photo by Marcus Meisler
We know we've mentioned neon signs before, but we have to take one final moment to address the decor element. When anchored correctly, it can act as the focal point for the dinner, speeches, and later, dancing. At this wedding in France, the couple customized theirs with the catchphrase “Hooked on a Firinn” to play on the groom's last name.
Customize Your Dancing Shoes
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Speaking of dancing: Every bride and groom needs a pair of dancing shoes, right? We couldn't be more obsessed with these classic Chucks stitched with a heart and "bride" in beads. This particular pair was a gift from the bride's new sister-in-law.
Hand Out Heart-Shaped Glasses
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Ensure every guest leaves your wedding with literal heart eyes by handing out plastic sunglasses toward the end of the night. Trust us: Everyone appreciates a prop on the dancefloor.
Accent Your Getaway Car
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End your night with one last grand gesture in the form of a balloon-accented getaway car. This bunch of metallic heart-shaped balloons is as sleek as the newlyweds' ride. You can also consider a balloon sendoff (using biodegradable options) for a dramatic exit.