Who doesn’t want to spend a day celebrating love? Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to take a moment to express your true feelings to the one you cherish. If you’re looking for Valentine’s Day ideas, read on for inspiration to make your partner feel really special – especially if you’re planning to propose!
Valentine’s Day Date Ideas
Romantic Breakfast in Bed
Start the day off right by surprising your partner with a tray of their favourite breakfast foods, such as coffee and waffles. If you’re feeling really loved up, you can boost the romance by adding a single red rose and a hand-written card alongside your tasty treats.
Dinner Reservation for Two
Do you both have a favourite place to eat? Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to try somewhere with a cuisine and menu that you’ve never tried before. Now is your chance to surprise your partner with a Valentine’s Day dinner reservation they’ll always remember. Add a little mystery by not telling them where you’re planning on taking them for dinner! If you’re looking for a spot, here’s a list of the romantic dinner restaurants in Vancouver.
Go Hiking Together
There’s nothing like going on an adventure with your partner. If you both love the outdoors and being in nature, plan a local hike or somewhere new to explore for a little excursion. Whether it’s a hike or just finding a special spot, pack a lunch and find somewhere scenic to sit and enjoy the view, the peace and quiet, and each other’s company. Lucky for us Vancouverites, there are tons of winter trails to choose from!
Watch a Movie and Snuggle
Watching a movie together with plenty of popcorn and snuggles is a relaxing way to spend your evening. If you both want to head out, check out what’s showing at your local cinema, and you might just find your new favourite film to watch together. It’s a classic for a reason and gives you something to talk about over dinner.
Cook your Partner’s Favourite Meal
Your partner may have a favourite meal, but have you ever cooked it for them? Test out your chef skills by preparing their most loved dish; it’s sure to make them feel very special and show them that you pay attention to the things they love.
Book a Getaway
We’re sure you both likely deserve an overnight trip or weekend away! Book someplace different and get away from your usual schedules for a relaxing break. Explore inspiring homes on Airbnb to find somewhere romantic to unwind together and make new memories. It might be just what your partner was hoping for!
Plan a Valentine’s Day Proposal
Perhaps it’s time to take your relationship a step further and a Valentine’s Day proposal is sure to make it a February 14th you’ll never forget. If you’ve been waiting to choose the right moment, there is no time like the present! Below are some tips to help set you up for success when planning a Valentine’s Day proposal.
Go Big or Small
Maybe you want to plan a huge proposal event to surprise your partner, or you’re not those kind people and would prefer something small and intimate. Both are wonderful event styles, but it’s important to plan an occasion that will best suit your partner, because you want them to give you a big ‘Yes!’ and remember this as one of the best nights of their life. That requires them to feel at their most comfortable.
Do You Want Anyone Else There?
While proposing is one of the most intimate things that we do, some people plan to have carefully chosen friends or family members there when they get engaged. These should be people who are close to you both and make you feel comfortable and yourselves. They should have nothing but love for you and be in full support of your relationship. And they better know how to hold a camera steady. Planning a double date or couples’ night for Valentine’s Day might also be a good decoy to hide your proposal plan – more on this later. You can read all about a couple we helped plan a whole party for their proposal.
Revisit your First Date
Where did you first meet? Going back to the place you first met can be a beautiful way to set the mood. Or perhaps there is somewhere special you and your significant other love to visit or frequented while dating? Choosing a sentimental place will help create a proposal full of meaning. It provides a perfect moment for you both to see how far you’ve both come in your relationship, and what more perfect way to take it to the next phase than by getting engaged?
Plan a Decoy
Making your partner believe they have a completely different Valentine’s Day activity planned to what you actually have organised will make it the ultimate surprise proposal! We have a great blog post here all about how to create an illusion to pull off the big reveal.
We’re passionate about creating one-of-a-kind proposal settings and have a tonne of experience organising decoy plans.
Whether you’re looking for general Valentine’s Day ideas or planning a proposal, we love to take care of the logistics so you can spend more time getting excited about popping the big question. We’re also running a limited-time special offer on our Valentine’s Day Package! Get 20% off regular price and receive:
- A personal Planner who works closely with you to organize & design your dream proposal up to a minimum of 48hrs.
- A personalized photo presentation of what you envision
- Privately curated suitable vendors
- Organization of all bookings
- Itinerary of proposal day
- A personal planner who executes a full proposal set up and is available on-site throughout the entire event.
- A planner who is available for unlimited communication (emails, texts, or phone calls) throughout the planning process.
Contact us for a free consultation to see how we can help create your forever memories!
Find out how to make any of your events eco-friendly.
The key to a personalized engagement event is to get to know the couple as a couple, as well as who they are as individuals. Once you understand what makes them who they are you start having all kinds of engagement party ideas. You can include elements of each of them in the decorations, activities and food for their engagement party or event.
Reconnecting With an Old Love
In November of 2018, I had a gentleman in his 70s reach out to me to plan an intimate engagement for his high school sweetheart whom, until 2017, he hadn’t seen since they graduated from high school in 1969. The gentleman told me that they had both lost their partners back in 2014 and 2015 due to illnesses. When they ran into each other at a coffee shop in the middle of downtown Vancouver they just knew it was a sign for them to reconnect.
That first encounter, after 52 years, was very significant to both of them together and individually. At the beginning they just reconnected as old friends and as the months went by they realized that spark from 52 years ago was still there, and they didn’t want to waste another moment without being together.
An Engagement Plan 50 Years in the Making
After hearing this beautiful love story, the gentleman and I brainstormed on what kind of engagement plan would represent them as a couple and individually. It came down to the theme of going back in time.
For this specific engagement, we worked with both of their families on decoration as he wanted something simple but special. We started by getting pictures from their albums, so that we could create a timeline with their most treasured memories, starting with individual portraits of them and down the line showing pictures of them together and ending with current pictures. The gentleman wanted to do this surprise proposal in his backyard to make it as intimate as possible. We hired a company to build a rectangular frame so that we could hang the fairy lights and attach the string of pictures to give the effect of walking along memory lane. On the grass we had red rose petals that were brought in from Ecuador specifically for this intimate engagement party.
A Wonderful Success
As I was setting up his backyard, the couple went for dinner at her favourite sushi restaurant. I did a quick sound and light check and had everything ready for their arrival. We had the family hidden, we had champagne in an ice bucket and music was ready to be played from the minute she walked in. When the couple walked into the house and went to the backyard, she started crying happy tears as the gentleman took her hand and guided her through the aisle so that they could go back in time together. When they reached the end of the photos, he pulled out an engagement ring and proposed. The happy couple and their families celebrated such a special occasion that became a forever memory.
Making that couple’s day perfect, those happy tears and helping them celebrate their love after a lifetime apart is why we do what we do. If you are looking for engagement party ideas – an intimate proposal dinner, help choosing an engagement ring, or have already popped the question and want to crack open the champagne with your closest people at an engagement party – we want to help. Get in touch today and we’ll do our best to make your story as special as this one.
For more engagement party ideas, we’ve written a full article on the fundamentals here.
Congratulations! You’ve found your forever person, but now comes the tricky part: proposing with the perfect engagement ring! Luckily, we’re here to give you some advice on what to look for and where to find the best engagement rings in Canada.
Consider Which Engagement Rings Are in Your Price Range
An engagement ring is a significant gesture, but there is no reason to spend outside of your budget. You do have the cost of a wedding to keep in mind! First of all, it’s best to get an understanding of your partner’s preferences. If they would prefer something subtle, it will be much less expensive than something big and sparkly. When choosing what to spend, a good rule of thumb is to set aside around two to three months’ worth of your salary.
Decide on a Metal Type
The four most popular metal types for engagements rings in Canada are White Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold and Platinum. When choosing a metal for the band of the ring, an easy tip is to take a look at the colours in your partner’s wardrobe and the jewellery they already wear. Look at the rings they currently wear to find out their ring size or sneakily ask their bestie if you can.
If you’re looking for a metal that will stand the test of time, choose a more durable material like yellow gold and platinum. From the data on engagement rings people bought in Canada, white gold and rose gold are quickly becoming the number-one choice, but they do need slightly more care to retain their beauty, as they are softer metals and can corrode over time. You can pick various weights of these too, depending on how dense you would like the ring band.
Choose Between Diamonds, Gemstones… or Both!
Diamonds
Let’s talk diamonds. Choose something that best fits your partner’s personality and lifestyle. They may prefer a classic style such as Solitaires, or a three-stone engagement ring. Perhaps they have a love for all things contemporary and would suit a sparkling pavé style, or a band with diamond and gemstone accents instead. If they love the outdoors, they might prefer organic elements, such as a twisted band mixed with decorative floral additions.
Gemstones
Let’s not forget about Gemstones. Although diamonds are said to be higher in value than gemstones, you might like to propose with something less traditional. This is where you can have a little fun and choose from a variety of colours! Popular gemstones are sapphires, rubies and emeralds because they are tough, making them an ideal piece to wear daily. Another enjoyable aspect is to look up what certain gemstone colours symbolize, which helps create more meaning behind the colour you choose for your partner.
Consider Adding an Engraving
A rising trend is to add a special engraving for an additional surprise and to make the ring even more unique to your partner. If you’re thinking about creating a custom piece, adding a few thoughtful words or letters to your band makes for a wonderful family heirloom for generations to come.
Where to Find Engagement Rings in Canada
Ready to shop for something they’ll never forget? Take your pick from these jewellers to get started.
Crest Jewellers
This family-owned business has more than 30 years of experience in guiding couples through their important ring decisions with kindness and clarity.
Ecksand
Book a virtual design consultation and learn all about their wonderful values, such as providing sustainable jewellery, all carefully crafted and at unparalleled prices.
Luxury Diamonds
Based in downtown Vancouver, they pride themselves on offering a personalized service while making it an easy and fun experience.
Cavalier Gastown
Have a team of specialists help you in a boutique setting, by appointment. You’ll be given expert advice as well as guidance on custom ring-design requests.
Era Design
Choose your ideal ring in a “no pressure” east Vancouver studio, all made by local craftspeople. Be inspired by their selection of rare gemstones and unusual pieces.
Need help with setting up a beautiful engagement backdrop or event? We can create the ideal celebration from start to finish. Contact us today and let’s get planning!
Now you’ve decided on a ring, take a look at our engagement ideas or our guide on how to surprise your partner! It’s also never too early to start thinking about venues.