myLovetripper

myWedding in Scotland

2008-03-31T13:52:00.000-07:00

We felt that the most important thing about our wedding day was that Drew and I had OUR day together, without worrying about making sure we got to see to all the guests and their needs. I wanted it to be about us.

We're both travelers so we knew we wanted to be married abroad and that way it would be an intimate group. Drew was in the Marines Corps so he said he does his best work on water but he didn't want anything normal like Hawaii or the Caribbean. I wanted a religious ceremony so with travel time from the USA, it looked like either Spain or Scotland would let us have a religious wedding on water.

My Gram's Gram is from Scotland and we both love all things British so I set about finding my venue. We found the Eala Bhan which means white swan in Gaelic (and swans mate for life) so I felt like we found our venue. We were married on Loch Ness with Urquhart Castle ruins in the background.

Because I didn't have to worry about feeding a bunch of people, I focused on details that mattered to us. Our wedding cake was made of shortbread because when we were first dating we were driving to see his nephew about 4 hours away. Drew was saying he liked everything I was mentioning (song on the radio, favorite museum which is the Imperial War Museum) and then I said but you don't know the secret about that Museum--the best shortbread in London is at the Cafe there and he said he loved shortbread too. So I told him he needn't like everything I like, so he said he'd have to show me his stash. When we got to our destination, he knocked on my hotel room door and gave me his box of Walker's shortbread. So we had a beautiful shortbread wedding cake where she replicated the sailboat on which we got married.

I had a Marine Corps garter, and our flowers included the yellow rose of Texas for him as well as orchids (I used to live in Hawaii) and tulips since we honeymooned in Amsterdam. Our piper played the Marine's Hymn as our recessional as well as a medley of American songs (i.e. Yankee Doodle Dandy, Yellow Rose of Texas, etc.) later on the boat ride. It was just the little details that were not dictated by the number of people we invited nor matching the bridesmaids'‚ colors but rather things that meant something to us.

I bought Walker's cookies and piped our initials on them to send to family right before we left so they could have a piece of our wedding cake to be a part of our day (the webcam at Urquhart showed our boat so they could be "at" the wedding virtually) and I bought whisks that said "whisked away" on them to send to family too when I first set up my wedding blog to let them know about it (it's called Whisked Away to Scotland). I did buy a little M&S cake and cake topper with a kilted groom at our supper which was at a restaurant with the same name as he calls one of our cats (the Mustard Seed).

We had a beautiful, romantic and unique wedding in Scotland that we will never forget!

--contributed by Jannelle, Bismarck, ND USA

myRomantic Getaway: Fishing

2008-03-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

My most romantic place is by the water with a fire going and a fishing pole in my hand with the man I love.There is a blanket on the ground and a bottle of champagne on ice and cheese and thou.

Oh wait, I think I got a bite.

A few friends that hang around. The Hills'Angels.

--Submitted by Jacqueline Carpenter, Jackson, KY

myHoneymoon: San Diego

2008-03-26T19:49:00.001-07:00

Our Honeymoon was in San Diego. In 1980 there was very little between LA so we had a great road trip. We stopped at all the little towns along the way. We brought a picnic and we cruised along the coast.

--Submitted by Pamela White, Marysville, WA

myWedding: Two Wedding in One Year

2008-03-26T11:32:00.000-07:00

My wedding was unusual and is worth remembering not only because it was the most exciting time in my life but because I got married twice in one year. Some of you are probably like woman slow down, but I'm the one who choose my path besides I married the same man twice. Let me explain.

My husband's grandma was very sick and her one wish was that me and her grandson get married. So we decided it was time--5 years later--and surprised her one day at her house. On February 5th, 2005 we said I do standing in her living room surrounded by the Reverend Moss, my mom, and my grandma. This is the day our wedding certificate was signed.

Now being that we love to have fun and be with our family we decided to have another ceremony and reception for the rest of our family and friends. This was celebrated on August 20th. If you ask our family what they remember from the wedding they will tell you the bottle of champagne on their table and the beta fish with bowl as their gift.

Now each year when both days come around we celebrate it exactly the same. Feb 5th-calm, relaxing evening. Aug 20th-casino and club night.

--Submitted by KJ, Little Rock, Arkansas

My High School Reunion...And My New Love

2008-03-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

I was 16 years old and bought a picture of a high school senior I had a secret crush on. Well 26 years later we had an all class reunion...he saw me and picked me up and, "I bet you are not even a Republican." I said I am so liberal I don't even vote demo or rep...but I might be voting Republican this first tine for Ron Paul." He said that okay...then he proceed to ask if would go out with him..I gave him my card...he never called...I called some of his friends and got his phone number and called about 30 days later that was Dec. 30th. He called me back with in an hour and half and asked me out for New Year’s...he came with flowers, and then met Mom and Dad...went to a New Year’s Eve party and we have been in love ever since. He is my cowboy and I am his princess.

--Submitted by MKB, Tomball, Texas

myWedding: My Surprise Wedding

2008-03-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

My wedding was a bit unusual. We did not want a big wedding, but his mom did. She kept planning more and more. So we decided to pull a fast one.

We invited my best friend, my husband's best friend over for supposed cherry cobbler and a visit. Then we called his mom and said if you want to see the wedding you had better get over here fast. We had previously spoken to the preacher and he knew when to show up. Well he knocked on the door and my husband's mom pulled in.

So we let out friends in on the secret, and listened to a 5 minute lecture from his mom about us just up and ruining everything. Well she calmed down and we got married. It was actually the best wedding I could have ever planned or set up. As my husband of almost 20 years looked in my eyes so many years ago, I knew he was my everyone. Now all this time has passed and thanks to the mercy of the Lord above, we are still happy and in love, and maybe in another 20 his mom will forgive us for taking away all her fun. Although of course in her mind it was all my idea and not her baby boy's. If only she knew. lol

--Submitted by Dawn Garlick, Plymouth, IL

myTravels: The Tuscan Grill, Waltham, Massachusetts

2008-02-25T13:18:00.000-08:00

There are very few places you hear about these days from 1600 miles away, places friends tell you that you must detour for, things they say are worth a trip in themselves.

The Tuscan Grill is such a place.

I can honestly say I've heard from people on both coasts about it. And that's saying something, since my friends tend to have pretty refined tastes.

Not 20 seconds after I let my good friend Louis Garcia know I was coming to Boston for an assignment, he told me we had to go to the Tuscan Grill. Before any of the attractions. Before any of the activities. He simply insisted this was the place I had to go.

The night before I left Little Rock, my friend Damon Brown came over to see us and our friends. He was making a circuitous route around the United States before heading back to Los Angeles. He told me straight out I had to go to the Tuscan while I was in town -- and shared with me his ethereal experience with a venison dish.

Well, that cinched it. I had to go.

My husband and I joined the Garcias for dinner one Friday night in January. We arrived for an 8 p.m. reservation. The two rooms were packed, but our waitress lead us to our designated table -- a nice four seater near the front tucked in near the center of the restaurant.

We perused our menus and oggled the offerings. Our waitress came by, and our hosts ordered a Centine Banfi -- a combination of merlot, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon that I was assured would go well with anything we ordered. We also went for an appetizer -- handmade Wild Boar Sausage served with lentils in olive oil.

Our waitress brought us fresh hot bread from the kitchen -- coarse bread that tasted of butter and herbs and which could easily have been a meal in itself. Our wine came out with the bread, and I was shown how to carefully take in the aroma and properly savor the blended beverage. These offerings were accompanied by a small bowl of wine pickled purple olives that were surprisingly tart.

The Tuscan Grill has been a mainstay of Waltham's Moody Street for the past 16 years. The owners came from northern Italy and... well, Northern Italian food is what they wanted to serve. A very good choice, if I might add.

The executive chef, Jason King, works up the menu seasonally. It's completely changed out every spring and fall, and tweaked for summer and winter. The items are determined by what's fresh and available at that particular time of the year. Certain allowances are also made for new foods and ideas -- for instance, using wild boar instead of traditional pork, or choosing organic products.

Our Wild Boar Sausage came out -- two sausage balls on a bed of soft lentils that had been cooked in olive oil and, apparently, the drippings from the sausage. The sausage itself was very lightly spiced and pretty good, but the lentils? Oh, my goodness. They were the perfect accompaniment, and really good even on their own.

We ordered our entrees and spent time talking and enjoying each other's company. It was good to get to sit back and relax. There's no hurry at the Tuscan Grill -- a fact I much appreciated.

We lost ourselves in conversation -- and soon found ourselves presented with bold plates of our ordered dinners. Each of us in turn sampled our dishes and shared the experience. Each in itself was quite a spectacle, but together we had the makings of a rich repast that was not close to being equaled in casual settings.

Our friend Louis had the Gnocchi, Housemade Sausage, Raisins, Sundried Tomatoes, and Chestnuts in Garlic Butter Sauce ($17) -- a hearty, filling yet varied creation that was both savory and sweet. The salty sausage struck harmonious balance with the tart of the tomatoes, the crunch of the chestnuts, and the sweetness of the raisins.

His wife Dee savored the Wood Grilled Cobia, one of the day's specials. It was cooked with pumpkin seeds and served over greens with balsamic vinaigrette. She said the fish was very crisp on the outside, with perfect soft flesh within. The firm whitefish was counterbalanced nicely with the tangy vinaigrette.

My husband Paul went for the Braised Rabbit and Roasted Baby Vegetable Risotto ($20), a half of a rabbit that came out couched on the edge of a circle of garlic Parmesan polenta and a crescent of its own gravy. The juicy critter was very tender and not the least bit gamey. It was herbed and cooked with delicate vegetables. Paul says he's never had more perfect rabbit.

And I had the Veal Osso Bucco with creamy parmesan polenta and Cavalo Nero ($25). The first thing I wondered was "where's my knife?" None was provided, but one fork into the tender meat and I realized there was no need. The dish even came with a tiny fork for consuming the marrow. And wow. Just-- wow. The chef chose to understate rather than overstate the seasoning on the veal, allowing a generous and delicious cut to shine on its own. The flavor had soaked straight through -- and was evident even and especially in the marrow, which I consumed with relish -- okay, no real relish, just my own exuberance. I appreciated the choice of polenta over the standard mashed potatoes that traditionally accompanied red meat -- and even enjoyed the Cavalo Nero.

In fact, there was something amazingly Southern about this Northern Italian dish. For really -- how far was it from my grandmother's beef steak, Collard greens, and grits? On the surface, not far. By taste? Eons away.

Each of our portions was geared at a single diner -- this is not a place where you have to ask for a take home box. Rather than overwhelming with quantity, the Tuscan Grill delights with quality, and it certainly delights a lot.

Of course we ordered dessert. And with our desserts -- aperitifs, except for Dee who was driving. She asked for a cappuccino.

The conversation started to slow in the way good conversations do when you're enjoying good company and are filling up on good food. Our second bottle of wine was almost drained.

Our aperitifs and cappuccino arrived together just moments before our desserts. Paul chose an apple and cinnamon grappa, which came with slices of apple and a cinnamon stick. He said it smacked him in the palate with the heady scent of cinnamon. When he took a little into his mouth and breathed in, the flavors exploded on his tongue. He was quite happy.

Louis was quite pleased with his thick fig grappa, which clung to the side of the glass like the richest amaretto.

My own choice, the lemon liqueur, was a housemade liquor, a vodka base lightly sweetened and macerated with lemon peel. It was delicate and light -- which was perfect, since my dessert was also light after my heavy meal.

Our desserts were delivered with gusto. We all marveled at the size of Dee's Pumpkin Gingerbread Pudding with rum sauce. It was heady with its own richness, and mated well with her coffee beverage. The ginger and pumpkin balanced quite well.

Louis had the Pecan Pie Tart with Vanilla Gelato-- another dish that had me thinking of the South. It was quite light for pecan pie, but the nutty flavor permeated the entire tart.

Paul's Chocolate Crème Brule was shockingly dark in flavor. He's a traditionalist when it comes to Crème Brule -- we've had arguments over whether the substance should ever be flavored with anything but perfection. This time, though, the offering won him over. It had a rich dark chocolate flavor, but it was also surprisingly light, a good end to a good meal.

But I held no jealousy when I sampled my Apricot Sorbet. The small dish of three scoops was surprisingly deceptive -- at first taste it was light and sweet, then I got punched in the mouth with apricot. I went back for another, hoping for a knockout. It was soft and cold and perfect with the lemon liqueur and my only regret is that I couldn't have a carton shipped home for later.

After two hours, we finally mustered up the will to leave, if only to collapse in our own beds rather than the comfortable corner in which we had retreated. Once in our beds, we fell into food-induced comas and dreamt of future visits.

The Tuscan Grill is not the place to go if you're looking for a quick bite to eat. It's not for someone minding their pennies, or for a kid's birthday party. It is a fine, intimate experience that should be shared with lovers and friends, with gusto and with no one checking a watch.

You'll find the Tuscan Grill at 361 Moody Street in Waltham, Massachusetts. For more information, call (781) 891-5486 or check out www.tuscangrillwaltham.com.

--contributed by Kat Robinson, Little Rock, Arkansas

Most Romantic Spots in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

2008-02-13T07:09:00.000-08:00

Romantic spots here in Cedar Rapids...

• Downtown along the river
• Ellis Park
• Tic Toc
• Under the bridge on 7th

--Submitted by Diane, Cedar Rapids, IA

Honeymoon in the Dominican Republic, Sint Maarten

2008-02-13T06:59:00.000-08:00

My husband and I honeymooned in the Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata) and then in St. Maarten. The first photo is from "the top of the world" somewhere in the center of the Dominican Republic jungle during our trip from the north side of the country (Puerto Plata) coming back from a day trip to Santo Domingo (south side.) This shot is facing south and showing part of the Haitian border to the far right of the photo.

Then in St. Maarten, this photo was taken on the shore on the Dutch side on Maho Bay. We were really looking for the perfect shot to send to our friends and family to show how relaxing that vacation was. This was an incredible place to visit.

--Submitted by Pamela and Matt

Submit Your Romantic Stories & Photos to myLovetripper!

2008-01-31T19:49:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our reader-contributed section on Lovetripper.com: the newly remodeled myLovetripper section! This section includes reviews and articles by Lovetripper readers: a review of a romantic resort, photos from your wedding or honeymoon, romantic travel tips, your favorite romantic spot in your hometown, photos from your romantic getaway...you name it, this is your section!

Contributing is simple. We've got a new Submit Page that will allow you to input your entry, your name as you'd like it to appear with your review and even attach a photo!

For more details, check out our Guidelines page for details.