Invitations for Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day on 14 February is firmly fixed in the British calendar. Some couples mark it just the two of them — a candlelit dinner, the cinema, a weekend away. Others gather: a meal among friends before the day itself, or an 'anti-Valentine's' night for those who aren't paired off. An online invitation works equally well for an intimate dinner for two and for a larger themed evening.

The options are varied. A dinner for two at a restaurant: the simplest, though a themed invitation makes a sweet gesture. An evening for two or more couples (three or four pairs): a relaxed supper or board games. A themed evening at a restaurant or club for 10 to 50 people: singles welcome, sometimes speed-dating, sometimes a DJ. In our experience Valentine's Day is a night when restaurants book up early — the best tables in London, Manchester or Edinburgh go from the start of February.

The invitation should carry a title ('Anna and Tom's Valentine's dinner'), the date (14 February or a weekend evening as an alternative), the time, the venue, the dress code (often smart) and the RSVP form. For a dinner for two, the invitation is sentimental in tone — a short note, a photo of the couple, a heart motif. For a larger evening, give the running order. A QR code to the restaurant's menu is a nice extra.

The digital format lends itself well to a Valentine's gift. The link can be given in place of a traditional card, with your photographs and a short message. For a group, you send it by Messenger or an Instagram DM. A Spotify playlist of songs you chose together adds a personal touch.