Southern Weddings

Who’s already thinking about Valentine’s Day plans?! While I love a delicious dinner out, John and I usually opt for something else on February 14th, since restaurants can be crowded and expensive in the evening. If you’d like to do something out of the ordinary, too, we’ve rounded up three of our favorite date ideas with the help of Texas jewelry company Bailey, Banks, and Biddle. (And just saying: if your love language leans toward gifts, you might want to leave this browser open where your significant other can see it… any of these pieces we’re sporting would make an amazing Valentine’s Day present!)

Before we get to the date ideas, though, I want to make SURE you don’t miss the amazing giveaway we’re hosting with Bailey, Banks, and Biddle!! I know, we usually put these at the bottom of the post, but this one is just too good for you to miss…

From left to right: Statement Round Quilted Engament Ring, Intricate Basket Engagement Ring, and Quilted French Pave Princess Cut Engagement Ring, all by A. JAFFE

One lucky person will WIN his or her choice of one of three A. JAFFE engagement ring settings and a .55 carat loose diamond. We saw these rings in person to photograph them, and let me tell you: they are extremely beautiful. Whether you’re engaged or not or already have an engagement ring or not, ENTER below! One of these would make a great right-hand ring, too :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Official rules for this giveaway can be found here.

And now, on to the date nights! First up, Kristin and Kyle opted for a mid-morning get-together. Many of y’all already know our Editor-in-Chief’s love language is brunch, so pancakes and swirly coffee were just the tickets for their love day celebration. If you’d like to try a brunch date yourself, head out on the weekend or take a few hours off work mid-week (a sure-fire way to beat the crowds!).

All photos by Blue Ribbon Vendor Jacqui Cole. Kristin’s jewelry includes pearl earrings, a pearl bracelet, and a pearl cuff bracelet. Girl likes her pearls :)

Date Idea No. 2: Marissa and Brandon also chose to forgo dinner, and instead focused on the best part of any meal: sweets! They hit up three different dessert spots for what we like to call a “dessert crawl.” Ideally, your dessert locations would be in walking distance from each other, so you can burn off a few calories in between indulging! “Since I work days, and Brandon works most evenings, the ‘dessert crawl; was such a fun way to celebrate without the time constraint of a dinner reservation,” says Marissa. “We even chose to get our last desert to go, so we could enjoy some time walking and chatting!”

All photos by Blue Ribbon Vendor Jessica Bordner. Marissa’s jewelry includes a diamond station necklace, stackable rings (available in store or via special order), and a custom A.JAFFE map necklace. Brandon is wearing a Jack Mason watch.

Date Idea Number 3: If you don’t want to brave the crowds at all, you can try what John and I did, and order in! We picked up pasta from our favorite local spot, then gathered all of the throw pillows from the rest of our house and cozied up in front of the fireplace. For dessert, we made these molten chocolate lava cakes – YUM!

All photos by Blue Ribbon Vendor Julia Wade.

There you have it! Three easy and fun Valentine’s Day date ideas, and a great source for a Valentine’s Day present, if you’re looking for one :) Don’t forget to enter our engagement ring giveaway at the top of the post, and please tell me: what do you have planned for Valentine’s Day?

This post is brought to you by Bailey, Banks, and Biddle. Thank you so much for your support of the brands who make Southern Weddings possible!

Written with love by Emily