Valentine's Day Wedding

A Valentines Day wedding can be one of the most romantic weddings that you attend all year long. Ideas for weddings on February 14, or on any day in February are many and I will share a few of mine with you from wedding invitations, not to mention the wording to be used, to unique favors for your guests...from dresses to wedding day jewelry...from decorations for the church and reception to photography...from flowers to table centerpieces ...from a wedding sermon to your wedding reception...from the wedding cake to wedding cake toppers... A little bit of everything for a Valentine's Day wedding.

The main colors are red, white, and pink. Feel free to use all three on this romantic day of love or stick to either red and white, pink and white, or even purple and white. Different shades of red, pink, or purple are fun to use. Some brides use various shades of off white or cream instead of plain white.

Everything should say romance on this most romantic day of the year that your wedding could be on!

I have a lot of Valentines Day wedding ideas. If you are smart, you will plan ahead and purchase many of your wedding decorations in October when Christmas decorations hit the stores.

Buy red garland, white garland, and pink garland in whatever styles you want as these make wonderful decorations for your reception. There are thick ones and thin ones to choose from. There are also some bendable wire garlands that you can purchase. Hang them as you would hang crepe paper.

Next, purchase tiny Christmas lights. Choose your colors early. Strands of red and pink lights will go quickly. If you want to get clear lights and mix them with the red and pink, they will look nice together.

You can purchase tiny round red or pink Christmas balls and hooks. Use them and the lights to decorate real or artificial potted trees and plants that are fairly large.

Cut or buy large tree branches without leaves and spray paint them white or silver or apply a layer of gloss to them. Add some glitter for extra shine by spraying adhesive on the branches and then sprinkling with glitter. Put the Christmas lights on the branches. The branches can be placed in pots on the floor or on tables next to the walls. The pots can be left as is or they can be covered with cloths in the color of your choice to hide the pots.

The lights, garland, and Christmas ornaments can also be placed on tables around the room that hold the food, drinks, and gifts.

Some brides wear red or pink Valentines Day wedding dresses. They are beautiful and look just like any other wedding gown, except that they are red or pink instead of white.

Other brides wear a traditional white gown and add a red or pink sash or bow for Valentine's Day.

Some brides have a front panel on their gown made of red or pink cloth.

As they say, less is more, so Valentines Day wedding dresses can be normal all white or ivory. To this you can just add a single thin pink or red ribbon around the waist, tied in a bow or in a square knot in the front, in the back, or on one of the sides. This look is simple, yet it adds a splash of color.

A flower corsage can be placed on the wedding gown adding a bit of color. A cloth heart with a doily and a rose make a pretty corsage, looking like an old-fashioned Valentine.

If you do not like any of these ideas, just wear the white or ivory gown of your choice. You can consider putting red or pink flowers in your hair.

Wear a wrist corsage. This can be handmade with silk flowers. Materials can be purchased at a craft store.

Carry a pink and/or red bouquet. White flowers can be mixed in with the pink and/or red flowers.

Tie long red or pink ribbons around your bouquet and let the ribbons stream down.

Choose a wedding gown with a heart-shaped neckline. Wear a pink or red heart-shaped pendant and matching earrings.

Wear pink or red heels to dress up your white wedding gown. If you choose colored footwear, make sure your dress is not overly long so that the shoes show.

Valentines Day wedding jewelry should be all about hearts and flowers. Silver hearts, gold hearts, diamond hearts, crystal hearts, crystal hearts, chocolate hearts...

Heart pendants, heart earrings, how about a diamond cut in the shape of a heart? Red, white, pink roses...on the tables, in your hair...Sounds pretty romantic, right?

Choose the type of heart earrings and necklace you like best for your wedding day. Then choose similar heart sets for your attendants and your flower girl.

If you are crafty, consider creating your own earrings, either by using heart-shaped beads or by bending wire into hearts. You can also make hearts and flowers out of polymer clay in any color. Be sure to make a hole in the heart or flower prior to baking it if you will need a hole to make the jewelry. An important note--use a separate pan for baking clay than you use for baking food.

Bake the clay flowers or hearts and coat with a layer of gloss if you want shiny jewelry. Clear gloss for polymer clay, along with clay molds for hearts, roses, and other flowers, can be found at craft stores right next to the clay.

Valentines Day wedding jewelry can also be made from flowers, either fresh or silk. Obviously, if you work with silk flowers, you can make them ahead of time. Make wrist corsages using red, white, and/or pink flowers for your attendant and for yourself. Make boutonnieres for the men using the same flowers.

You may want to make matching corsages and boutonnieres for the parents and grandparents of the bride and groom. Add some heart charms to them as well.

A Valentines Day wedding cake can be heart shaped if you want to go all out with the Valentine theme. It can also be a normal round or square shaped wedding cake. Decorate it with hearts, polkadots,
flowers,...

Red, white, and pink are the main Valentine colors. There are so many flavors and colors to choose from. I will just give you a few ideas for decorating the outside of the cake.

Choose a white round cake decorated with red roses, pink daisies, or purple violets.

Choose a read heart-shaped cake trimmed with white roses.

Try a white heart-shaped cake or a chocolate brown heart-shaped cake and trim it with red or pink roses.

A round white cake with a large fondant bow and ribbon cascading down the sides in red or pink will look delicious as well.

A pink cake in any shape will be pretty trimmed in small heart-shaped chocolates. Yum! Consider a three tiered chocolate-covered fondant cake with pink dots and a ribbon tied around each tier.

You can also use a variety of decorated cupcakes frosted in white, red, pink, and chocolate with candy hearts, chocolates, or flowers on top.

Valentines Day wedding cake toppers can be a classic bride and groom. It can also be a humorous bride and groom like the one I saw showing the bride dragging the groom by his collar to the altar.

A topper can be a pretty heart, a bow, a bride and groom teddy bear set, or a flower bouquet, even a single rose.

I have seen the initial of the groom's last name on the top of the cake. This can be combined with an open heart which will be perfect for February 14.

Lovebirds or a cupid would also work as wedding cake toppers.

You can also have a giant conversation heart made with your names on it. For example, "John & Sue." It could also say "I Luv You," "I Do," "Yes, I Do," "Yours Forever," or anything else you can think of that would work for Valentine's Day.

One other idea is to put a pretty framed photo of the bride and groom on top of the cake.

Valentines Day wedding decorations should consist of flowers, candlelight, reds, pinks, and lots of shimmer. Hearts and roses are a beautiful combination, but any flower can be used.

Plan ahead and buy Christmas decorations that are appropriate for Valentines Day, like garland, lights, candle holders, and ornaments. The garland and lights can be run along tables and can be used as you would use crepe paper. The lights can be run along doorways and walls as well.

Buy small cut glass bowls and use them for candy and mixed nut dishes. Buy larger bowls for floating candles to display around the room. Buy colored marbles to put in the bowls and choose floating candles.

Purchase pillar candles and some tapers to place in various areas of your reception room.

Use red, pink, and white tapers for Valentines Day wedding decorations in the church. They can be placed at the entrance to the church and displayed in large candelabra-like holders. These can also be placed at the front of the church.

Velvet bows taped on each pew next to the aisle are a nice touch for the church. Or use red or pink hearts and paper doilies to decorate each pew. Place a bow on a doily and put that on the pew. There are so many things you can do to dress up the church.

A few large flower arrangements near the altar of the church will look good. The size and number of arrangements needed depends on the size of the sanctuary.

Consider using a decorated wedding arch in the church as well. Decorate the arch with flowers, tulle, ribbons, vines, garland, Christmas lights, or just about anything.

Don't forget balloon bouquets at the reception. Individual helium-filled balloons can be allowed to float to the ceiling for added atmosphere.

For Valentines Day wedding centerpieces, think romance. Place a fish bowl with red or pink short stemmed roses, either fresh or silk, on each table.

Sprinkle Valentine confetti or rose petals all over the tables. Add small pillar candles on two sides of the roses for added romance.

Try placing a heart-shaped box of chocolates in the center of each table along with the confetti or rose petals. Place a small note letting guests know that it is okay for them to eat the chocolates while they wait for the bride and groom to finish with photos. You do not want your guests to stand around with nothing to eat or drink while you are posing for photos.

It is rude and I have been a guest standing outside in the Texas heat in June for more than an hour, waiting for the bride and groom to arrive before we were allowed inside. That is garbage! Do not do that to your guests.

Allow your guests to go inside to their tables. Let them have some refreshments and use the bathroom as well. No bride and groom is so important that they can treat their guests rudely like that.

Have small bowls of plain and chocolate covered strawberries, grapes, crackers, and cheese cubes on the tables for nibbling. Not everyone will eat the chocolates. Some people are allergic, some do not like chocolate, and others are diabetic. Provide them with good tasting alternatives.

Valentines Day wedding centerpieces can be as simple as a pillar candle on a pretty holder with confetti and rose petals scattered on the table.

A bowl of colored marbles or stones and water with three or four floating candles is a pretty option. Scatter rose petals and confetti on the table for a romantic look. Toss some wrapped candies among the petals and confetti for treats for the kids at your wedding.

The traditional colors for Valentines Day wedding flowers are red, white, and pink. Some brides stretch this and use a shade of purple. Nothing wrong with that.

Everyone wants roses in February because they are a popular Valentine flower, but keep in mind that roses in February will be a lot more expensive than other flowers because of the high demand for them.

You may want to choose some other flowers. There are many red, pink, and white blossoms to choose from. If you have your heart set on roses, mix a few in with the other flowers in your bouquet and other flower arrangements. Carnations, daisies, violets, calla lilies, and many others will look great in your bouquets and centerpieces. Don't forget some greenery so there is not too much red or pink. Queen Anne's lace looks pretty with dark red flowers.

Red or pink ribbons and lace added to your bouquet can look very romantic. Curl the ends of the ribbon and let them hang down or just leave them straight and let them flow down. Add decorative sprays of pearls in your bouquet and flower arrangements for an extra romantic effect.

Even if your bouquets are not made of roses, your flower girl can still scatter silk rose petals down the aisle in red, pink, and/or white. Put some red or pink blossoms in your flower girl's hair and decorate a white basket with flowers for her to carry the rose petals in.

Don't forget about Valentines Day wedding flowers for your church arrangements. Use less expensive flowers instead of roses. Consider using silk arrangements and then take them to the reception and set them up there as well. Make them months ahead of time to save even more money.

There are many Valentines Day wedding favors to choose from. For instance, make heart-shaped cookies in any flavor for your guests.

Sugar cookies sprinkled with red or pink sugar on top will look pretty. Make M&M cookies, using the red and pink Valentine M&Ms that come out for January and February.

You can also make heart-shaped chocolate candies or round filled chocolates. Wilton sells molds and supplies for candy making.

Make chocolate cupcakes and decorate them with red or pink sprinkles or sugar.

Make romantic sachets using small organza bags filled with potpourri and tie them with a ribbon.

Give each guest conversation hearts. They come in cardboard mini boxes and mini cellophane bags. Or buy big bags and put a handful in a guest bag for each guest and tie with a pretty ribbon.

Make heart-shaped soaps or candles. Wrap them in tulle and tie them with a ribbon. If you do not want to make them, purchase large quantities of small guest soaps or small candles.

Give each guest chocolate covered strawberries. These are easily made at home or they can be ordered at a local candy store. Put three or four in a bag or box for each wedding guest.

Red candy apples make wonderful Valentines Day wedding favors. Who can resist them? They can be given plain or rolled in chopped nuts or sprinkles.

The most important thing to remember is to give your guests something special that says love. Homemade favors are best, but if time is a factor, have them made. You can still package them yourself. Craft stores have beautiful bags and boxes now for wedding favors. Michael's has a nice selection of Martha Stewart boxes and bags. They look nice and are just right for homemade goodies.

Valentines Day wedding invitations can be soft and feminine or bold and fun. Red, pink, or cream card stock are good choices. Make sure to use matching red, pink, or cream colored envelopes.

A heart-shaped invitation is a nice touch. You may want to add a Bible verse about love on the front or on the inner left side of the invitation.

Consider printing the words in deep red or dark pink on white or cream colored invitations. White ink may be easier to read than black ink on red card stock.

You can make handmade invitations using a half sheet of pink or red card stock for the bottom layer. Next place a photo of the bride and groom that is almost as big as the card stock.

Next use a light, see-through paper on top of the photo. This paper should allow you to see the photo through it, but not clearly. Typing paper works well.

Punch two holes in the top of all three so they are lined up even. The two holes should each by about one half inch from the top and about one half inch from the center of the paper. Poke a ribbon through both holes from the back and tie into a bow at the front of the invitation.

Place the invitation in a large red or pink envelope.

For a romantic variation on this invitation, add a front layer by using a small paper doily. You can leave it plain or stamp it with the word "Love" or the first names of the bride and groom.

Valentines Day wedding invitations are fun to get and should let guests know that something very special is going to happen that they will not want to miss.

Your Valentines Day wedding invitation wording can be a little different than traditional invitation wording. Use your imagination and have fun with it.

For instance, instead of the traditional "Mr. and Mrs. Smith request the honor of your presence," how about

"Cupid requests" or "Cupid, along with Mr. and Mrs. Smith request the honor of your presence."

How about "Love requests the honor of your presence on Valentine's Day as Tom and Mary join together as husband and wife," or

"Because we are hopeless romantics, we have chosen the most romantic day of the year, Valentine's Day, February 14 to marry. Please join us in celebration of our love."

A good option is to print your favorite Bible verse on love on the cover or the inside left side of the invitation, such as
I Corinthians 13:4-8.

A Valentines Day wedding sermon should be about love...Not love as in romantic or Eros love, but Agape love as found in the Bible in I Corinthians 13.

Your minister should be able to put together a short message based on I Corinthians 13:4-8 plus verse 13. In these verses, Paul explains that the kind of love God has for us, agape love, is the kind of love we should show each other.

This kind of love is patient and kind so we should be patient and kind to our spouse. It is gentle and full of self-control. It is selfless and when others do it wrong, we should hardly notice it.

If we behaved more like Paul talks about in these verses, our marriage relationships would be wonderful: long-lasting and happy.

Paul makes a lot of good points in these few verses. They are a great foundation for a lasting marriage relationship.

For some special Valentines Day wedding pictures, have some gorgeous settings for your photographer.

Many brides arrange time for photos prior to the wedding in their wedding gown without the groom. Then on the wedding day, usually right after the ceremony, the photographer takes poses of the bride and groom plus the bride and groom with their wedding party and their families. This can take up to an hour.

You will need to arrange for your guests to go to the reception area for snacks and drinks and music until you arrive. Do not leave them standing outside for all of that time until you are finished. To expect them to wait is nothing short of rude.

Consider decorating a wedding arch for the ceremony and pose under, around, and in front of it for some great photos. This can also be moved to the reception area for more photos. Consider allowing each couple there to pose under it for a keepsake Polaroid photo of your wedding.

Rent a bubble blowing machine for your reception and have the photographer take photos of bubbles with you.

Take a lot of photos of you with a lot of flowers, hearts, and in candlelight.

Make sure your photographer adds a lot of color in the photos.

If there is an especially beautiful spot in your city where brides get photographed, be sure that you have pictures taken there as well, either before or after the wedding. Here in San Antonio, the McNay Art Museum and the San Antonio River Walk are two very popular and romantic spots where couples have wedding photos taken.

Purchase special heart-shaped frames or frames with hearts on them to display some of your Valentines Day wedding pictures prominently in your living room. Remind yourselves of your special wedding day a lot, especially when you have argued with your spouse. It will bring to mind the love you share and help you get over the argument faster.

Your Valentines Day wedding reception should be the most romantic party of the year. Splash it with a lot of color, soften it with a lot of candlelight, and make it fun with the foods you provide for your guests.

Provide a lot of sweets, chocolates, and a good assortment of sliced fresh fruits and vegetables.

Tiny heart-shaped sandwiches, veggie trays, chips, dips, in-season fruits, cheese cubes, and an assortment of wheat crackers are all fun to eat for children, teens, and adults.

If you are going to have a sit-down dinner, it does not have to be expensive. You can serve a chicken dish or lasagna along with a green salad. Halved cherry or grape tomatoes in the salad will make it look more appropriate for Valentine's Day.

Serve red-colored punch, like fruit punch or pink sherbet punch. For hot drinks, consider serving cappuccinos and hot chocolate with whipped cream on top.

Have a fabulous dessert buffet with a lot of chocolate treats. Don't forget the slices of strawberries and whipped cream. Because it is a Valentines Day wedding reception, everyone will expect sweets so don't disappoint. Just be sure to provide alternate non-sweet goodies for those who cannot have chocolates or sweets due to allergies or diabetes.

Use pink or red linens on the tables and chairs, in combination with white linens so there is not too much of one color. For instance, white tablecloths will look good with red table runners and red cloth napkins. The same is true of red tablecloths with white napkins.

Chair covers are probably best in white, if you choose to use them. You can always add red or pink bows on the backs of the chairs.