A Pretty Table for Valentine's Day + Dried Flowers

If you are having a few friends over around Valentine’s Day, I have ideas to simplify your table with details that feel meaningful and personal.

I started with the table itself. If you’ve been here a while, you know I love layering, and this felt like the perfect excuse to do it again. I used a floral tablecloth as the base, and then ran a long sheet of butcher paper right down the center of the table. I love the contrast of something casual layered over something pretty; it immediately sets a casual tone.

I had some leftover green taper candles from Christmas, so I painted little pink hearts on them to use for Valentine’s Day. You can see how I make them, and the supplies I use in this post.

Make a Hand-Drawn Table Runner with Ink

Once the runner was in place, I brought out a small jar of pink ink and a paintbrush and started writing each guest’s name directly onto the paper. I’m no calligrapher, but that’s part of the charm. I practiced a little first. It all feels relaxed and personal, and it lets everyone know the table was set just for them. The butcher paper becomes part place card, part decoration, and part keepsake (I’ve had friends ask if they can take a section home before I even clear the plates).

Mini Vases with Dried Flowers

For the flowers, I kept things simple and sentimental. Instead of one large arrangement, I used dried flowers tucked into small individual vases—one for each place setting. Dried florals are wonderful for this kind of gathering: they last, they travel well, and you can buy them ahead of time.

What I love most about this idea is that each guest can take her little vase home at the end of the meal. It feels like a thank-you and a memory wrapped into one.

Layered Plates, Linens, and a Mix of Glasses

I used beautiful green and white vine lattice plates from Terrain. The larger plates I used last Easter. You can see the table here. I added these side plates, also from Terrain, stacked on top. When you already have a pattern from the tablecloth, handwriting on the runner, and flowers at every seat, you don’t need much else. Let the layers and colors do the work.

Mini Clear Vases // Dutch Field Mixed Bouquet // Floral Tablecloth // Valentine Lattice Earthenware Mug // Vine Lattice Plate // Botanical Silhouette Side Plate // Drawing Ink

If you’re hosting a little February lunch of your own, I can’t recommend this combination enough: layered plates, linens, a handwritten runner, and dried flowers in individual vases your guests can take with them. It’s simple, personal, and full of heart—exactly how a Valentine’s Day with friends should feel.

One More Idea Using Dried Flowers

Small vases and some dried flowers would be a fun activity for a children’s Valentine party. Each child could make their own mini arrangement, and some homemade Valentine’s.