FEATURE
Romance in the Holy City
| By: Premiere Charleston Editor | 02/12/2010 |
To celebrate Valentine's Day, PremiereCharleston.com set out to tackle the hard-hitting topic of Romance in Charleston. In general, people near and far tend to think of Charleston as a romantic town, with its beaches, the Battery, carriage rides on charming cobblestone streets, yada yada yada. And we will address all of those romantic opportunities.
But first, let us ascend to the peak of romantic possibility in a Charleston engagement story we call "A Charleston Engagement Story." Note: portions of the following may be fictionalized to enhance the author's romantic awesomeness.
A Charleston Engagement Story
Our Paramour realized that The Time had come. On an upcoming Charleston harbor dinner cruise celebrating his girlfriend's birthday, he planned to pop The Question. He purchased an engagement ring from a respectable Charleston jeweler. He had a charming bit of borrowed pre-proposal poetry written on a crisp Post-It Note. He was officially raring to go.
And right away, there was trouble. The jeweler had provided the ring in a large, ostentatious box, ideal for the Big Reveal. The night of the cruise was a typically sultry June evening in Charleston, so hiding the ring in a sport coat was out of the question. Our hero realized that even stuffing it in the front pocket of his trousers would look...funny, you know? So, he decided to wedge the ring box down an already-snug dress sock.
Throughout the entire Charleston harbor dinner cruise he could feel the ring box digging into his shin and at least one major artery. He was reminded of the old joke about married men chewing off a foot to escape the bear trap of marriage. He would have to tell her that one later. Or, you know, not. Finally, after dessert, he decided to make his move. He stood and fell to one knee. No, this wasn't the proposal - his foot had gone completely numb.
After half-stumbling, half-crawling to the head (because that's what it's called) he had composed himself. He returned to the table, offered his hand, and invited his intended out on the aft deck to watch the last traces of the setting sun. He was relieved to find that the deck, which had been bustling with drunken passengers the entire evening, was now completely still. With the harbor breeze in their faces, the twilight behind them and the Ravenel Bridge up ahead, he popped the question in blessed privacy. He even had time to preface the proposal with the borrowed bit of poetry - though the Post-It note was now not so much crisp as it was completely soaked with nervous perspiration.
His young lady (and won't she love reading that,) caught completely unaware, managed to sputter a "yes" and throw her arms around him. Just then, fifteen drunks stumbled out onto the deck, hooting and shouting. But all was well - The Moment was secure in their hearts and memories.
Months later, on a sunny Saturday morning in November, they were married at the White Point Gardens Gazebo surrounded by their Parks and Recreation-mandated 25 guests or less. Immediately following, they were received at the Mills House Hotel on Meeting Street. And immediately following that, they were racing down Concord Street toward their Caribbean cruise ship.
Three years later, your author is pleased to report that the honeymoon is ongoing.
Romance Surrounds You in Charleston SC
If you made it through A Charleston Engagement Story and managed to not kill yourself in a fit of romantic envy, take heart. Your author is happy to inform you that he has not used up the entire supply of romance in Charleston. On the contrary, romance literally surrounds you, from Kiawah Beach to Colonial Lake, from the Battery to Shem Creek to the Isle of Palms, to the many B&B's, spas and carriage tours, to infinity and beyond.
Whether you are romantically endowed, or romantically impaired, there is a potential wooing opportunity waiting for you in Charleston. You just need to do some research. Or, I guess you could read this article, because we are going to give it to you straight. And let us be the first to admit that your author may be some sort of romance god who walks among men...but he is more of a doer than a teacher, you dig?
So, as a public service, PremiereCharleston.com asked its lady fans what they found romantic, in Charleston or in general. We would like to share with you a sampling of their responses. Remember, the following romantic ideas are merely serving suggestions. Your actual romance may vary.
The Ladies Speak on Matters Romantic!
First of all, there is a shared romantic experience in Charleston that, if you are unaware, you need to tune in immediately. The locals call it The Battery.
- Amy: I love walk on the Battery, or dinner at a restaurant on Shem Creek.
- Jill: A walk along the Battery, absolutely. We loved it!
- Shelda: A motorcycle ride down to the Battery, and then a picnic at either White Point Gardens or at Water Front Park.
- Leah: I love a walk on the Battery and a nice dinner downtown. The key is to have it all planned. What's not romantic is when the girl must plan her own Valentines Day.
- Dana: I love a walk on the Battery or the beach, or a romantic carriage ride for two.
- Heather: I love a private carriage ride in downtown Charleston...not the one with 20 strangers!
- Suzy: Couples massage on the beach at sunrise, followed by a beach side breakfast of fresh fruit on a warm summer morning.
- Helen: A long drive at sunset to a pretty place along the water that has walking access and maybe a swing or place to sit and watch the sunset and the water.
- Melissa: I definitely enjoy sitting in front of the fire with wine or champagne. Anything done together: a massage, horseback riding, biking, canoeing, a carriage ride, an evening swim, or a getaway trip to a cabin. Or, maybe a nice candlelight dinner along with a comedy show.
- Tammy: Canadian women like me appreciate the cuddle. Hot stone massage. A good bottle of wine. A roaring fireplace. A hot tub. A cuddly blanket and pillows. Skip buying the sexy lingerie unless you are going to be dead on with the size, fit and color. The guy must make sure he looks dapper when he comes in with a big smile and a bouquet of flowers.
- Lindsey: My favorite is to curl up on the couch together and watch a movie with some popcorn. But outside the house, I like an art show at a little gallery followed by dinner and/or drinks at some offbeatplace we've never been to before.
- Rachel: Romance to me means being shown that I am known, treasured and loved. It's not a specific activity nor does it have to have a high price tag. I like hearing live music, so I would love being surprised with tickets for a concert. It could be classical or down home. The romance factor for me would be the fact that 1) he wanted to do something special for me, 2) he knew me well enough to plan something that I would enjoy, and 3) that HE planned it on his own!
Planning to Plan Helps Ensure Romantic Success
The best advice PremiereCharleston.com can give is to NOTICE THINGS. Don't scramble around on February 13th, trying to recall what kind of perfume she wears or whether she prefers gold or silver, tulips or roses. Take notice of these things throughout the year.
And, as contributors Rachel and Leah stated above, the romantic icing on the romantic cake is when the gentleman makes the arrangements, based on his knowledge of what she likes. Trust us, even if you get it almost right, you have scored.
Let us recall all-American dad Red Foreman (That 70s Show,) who remembered Valentine's Day at 7pm on Valentine's Day. The only thing open in Point Place was the gas station, so Kitty's Valentine gifts consisted of a map, oil funnel and ice scraper.
As the saying goes, it's the thought that counts. But dudes, for that standard to apply, actual THOUGHT must occur.
A Google-Eyed View of All Things Romantic in Charleston
Charleston Florists
Charleston Florist Inc. - Downtown Charleston
Frampton's Flowers - Downtown Charleston
Blanche Darby Florist - West Ashley
Tiger Lily Florist - Downtown Charleston
Creech's Florist - North Charleston
Lotus Flower - Downtown Charleston
Twiggs and Ivy Flower Shop, LLC - West Ashley
Flower Cottage - Downtown Charleston
Rose Florist - Downtown Charleston
Horst Wholesale Florist Inc - West Ashley
Charleston Chocolate
Market Street Sweets - Downtown Charleston
Kilwin's Chocolate & Ice Cream - Downtown Charleston
Lucas Belgian Chocolate Inc - Downtown Charleston
Christophe Artisan Chocolatier - Downtown Charleston
Chocolate Perfection - West Ashley
Swift & Holland Chocolates - Hanahan
World's Finest Chocolates - Mt. Pleasant
Christophe Artisan Chocolatier - Mt. Pleasant
Haute Chocolate - Mt. Pleasant
Charleston Carriage Rides
Old South Carriage Tours
Olde Towne Carriage Co
Palmetto Carriage Works
Carolina Polo & Carriage Co
Classic Carriage Tours
Charleston Boat Tours
Schooner Pride
SpiritLine Dinner Cruises
Charleston Harbor Tours
Fort Sumter Tours
Thriller Charleston (fast powerboat)
Charleston Inns, B&B's and Finer Hotels
Ansonborough Inn
Elliott House Inn
Battery Carriage House Inn
John Rutledge House Inn
Meeting Street Inn
Planters Inn
Anchorage Inn
Andrew Pinckney Inn
Vendue Inn
Two Meeting Street Inn
Lodge Alley Inn
Jasmine House Inn
The Governor's House Inn
Church Street Inn
Charleston Place Hotel
Francis Marion Hotel
Mills House Hotel
Fulton Lane Inn
The Palmer Home B&B
Elliott House Inn
Wentworth Mansion Hotel
John Rutledge House Inn
Country Victorian B&B
21 East Battery Bed And Breakfast
Cannonboro Inn Bed & Breakfast
1837 B&B And Tea Room
Andrew Pinckney Inn
Bed & Breakfast At 27 State St
Rice Hope Plantation B & B - Moncks Corner
Charleston Mansion, Plantation and Garden Tours
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens - West Ashley
Boone Hall Plantation - Mt Pleasant
Drayton Hall Museum - West Ashley
Calhoun Mansion - Downtown Charleston
Aiken-Rhett House Museum - Downtown Charleston
Inn At Middleton Place - West Ashley
Charleston Tea Plantation - Wadmalaw Island
Aiken-Rhett House Museum - Downtown Charleston
See all Around Town Articles
June 16, 2010
