selena gomez and Benny Blanco's First Married Valentine's Day: Hot Dogs, Roses and Backyard Magic
On February 14, 2026 (ET), newlyweds selena gomez and Benny Blanco marked their first Valentine's Day since tying the knot with an intimate, carefully staged backyard dinner that mixed low-key comfort food and elaborate romantic flourishes. The pair shared images from the evening that highlighted a playful but thoughtful setup and prompted a fresh round of reaction online.
The backyard setup: playful details and a personal touch
The couple's dinner was photographed at nightfall, with a path of pink candles leading to a lawn installation that combined rustic elements and clear Valentine's motifs. A table was dressed in green moss and flowers, topped with pink plates embossed with the words "Love Is Love. " A heart-shaped white rose centerpiece anchored the arrangement while flowers were strung from nearby trees to complete the effect.
Central to the scene was a bespoke hot dog cart, painted in a vibrant shade of red, from which the pair enjoyed chili cheese dogs, fries and a side of nacho sauce. One image showed selena gomez wearing a large white cardigan, small gold hoop earrings and her hair up in a bun as she relaxed into the evening and sampled the meal. Blanco presented an enormous bouquet of roses; a black-and-white photo captured Gomez leaning in to smell the flowers.
Private moments, public flashes: wedding throwback and a Galentine's event
Earlier on Valentine's Day, Gomez posted a never-before-seen wedding photo showing the couple at their venue: she wore a white halter wedding gown while Blanco appeared to be giving a speech as Gomez hugged him from behind. Both were barefoot in the image, a candid snapshot that underlined the private, personal tone the couple has emphasized since their September 2025 ceremony.
In addition to the intimate dinner, Gomez also hosted a girls' night in Los Angeles tied to her beauty brand, an event described as moments that turn into memories and intended to celebrate friendship and self-care around Valentine's week. That public-facing celebration sat alongside the private anniversary-style dinner, illustrating how the couple balanced a quiet domestic celebration with Gomez's ongoing professional and social commitments.
Reaction: charm, curiosity and a little debate
The contrast between the ornate floral staging and the decidedly casual menu sparked conversation online. Many observers praised the honesty of serving comfort food in a backyard setting, seeing it as an affectionate, well-tailored gesture that reflected personal preferences rather than grandiosity. Comments called the meal a sign that Blanco knows what Gomez likes, and many applauded the couple's unpretentious tone.
Not everyone was convinced. Some questioned the practicality of chili cheese dogs while wearing white or suggested the concept was at odds with the elaborate presentation. The mix of polished decorative elements and messy food proved polarizing: a number of fans embraced the juxtaposition as refreshingly real, while others found it puzzling given the couple's profile.
For the pair, the evening looked to be less about image and more about shared tastes and small theatrics executed with care. The hot dog cart, moss-covered table and oversized bouquet read as a curated private moment that doubled as a public-friendly snapshot—an intentional blend of everyday pleasure and romantic symbolism.
Whether celebrated for its authenticity or critiqued for its eccentric pairing of cuisine and décor, the dinner offered a clear message: for Gomez and Blanco, Valentine's Day this year was personal, playful and unmistakably theirs.
