LOVE will take over today for Penola newlyweds Jacob and India Lovett, with the pair celebrating their first Valentine’s Day as a married couple at an intimate dinner at Pipers of Penola.
The dinner at the popular restaurant has a significant meaning for the couple, as it is the location Jacob pulled out a ring box and asked India to be his wife one year ago.
The two met through a family member of Jacob’s and quickly forged a relationship, bonding over their love for quality food and their sense of humour.
On the pair’s second date, Jacob cooked his sweetheart a family favourite spaghetti bolognese using his father’s secret ingredients.
“That was the reason I kept coming back, I needed to know what was in the spaghetti sauce,” India said.
It was not long before things progressed between the pair, quickly becoming engaging and getting married just eight months later.
“When we put everything into a timeline it seems crazy because it all happened so quickly,” India said.
“But it just happened naturally and we are the kind of people who just go with it.”
The Penola residents are settling into married life in their new home, together with their pet cat and rabbit.
“It does not feel very different being married,” Jacob said.
“Everything just feels normal, the only difference is that it is harder to get out of now,” he joked.
The Lovett’s are excited to celebrate their newlywed status in the romantic restaurant and reflect on their wedding day, held in October last year.
“Our wedding went quite smooth except for when we lost all of the groomsmen,” India said.
“It was due to miscommunication and no phone service to call them and see where they were.”
Although India claimed the groomsmen’s adventure was the only incident of the day, Jacob begged to differ.
“There were actually a few hiccups that India did not know about on the day,” he said.
“All of the guests were almost late due to having to travel and forgetting where the ceremony was.
“Apparently there was a large convoy of four wheel drives trying to get out to the area on time because we had the ceremony out in the bush.”
India conceded there was chaos on her side when Jacob’s six year old sister Jamersen became quite bored with the pre-wedding formalities.
“To try and keep her entertained we blew up a heap of balloons,” she said.
“This then backfired because I was trying to move around the rooms in my wedding dress but there were just balloons everywhere.”
Despite the hiccups, the couple agreed the day was one to remember.
“Because it is our second Valentines Day together we will be doing presents and all the cliche things this year as we did not do that last year due to getting engaged,” India said.
Pipers of Penola owner Erika Bowen said the restaurant was often booked out on Valentine’s Day, with many people using the day to show their loved one how much they care.
“We put specials on for the night for people to share and usually have an extra dish which is for two people rather than one,” Ms Bowen
said.
“The atmosphere each year is beautiful and has lots of people and loved ones out and about.”
“We do special decorations and have little petit fours to go with the coffees and on the dishes we do write Happy Valentines Day.
“Most people also celebration with pre-dinner bubbles as well.”
