Romance, Arkansas (population 1700) and is known for the post office re-mailing program and weddings. Romantics send stamped, addressed Valentine’s cards and wedding invitations in manila envelopes which are re-mailed from Romance, AR with a hand-stamped postmark.
I wove this setting and local flavor into each book in my series and visited the area on several research trips.
Fun facts:
- Each year, a unique postmark is designed for use from Feb. 1-15.
- Some brides request an invitation postmarked and mailed to her on her wedding day for a keepsake. The Post Office is happy to comply unless the date falls on a Federal holiday.
- People from as far away as Japan, China, Canada, Australia, Germany and Great Britain have sent wedding invitations, valentines and other mail to Romance for the special postmark.
- The 25-cent Love postage stamp was issued on January 18, 1990, in Romance, Arkansas. The stamp features two blue lovebirds over a deep pink heart and a decorative green garland. Designed by Jayne Hertko, this issue was the ninth edition in the popular Love Series.
According to Postmaster Angie Davis, they have three or four weddings a year on Valentine’s Day at the post office. Couples exchange vows in the lobby and outside the office. Someone carved a heart in the parking lot declaring it the Heart of Romance.
Angie gave me directions to The Romance Waterfalls. James (Buck) Weatherly has given me two tours of his privately owned property, which he and his wife rent to the public for weddings and events. Wisteria drapes over an archway leading to the landscaped garden with numerous flowers and bushes. A wooden walkway leads down to the waterfalls, surrounded by jutting rock/steps.
You can hear the waterfall long before you get there. Mr. Weatherly built two gazebos and balconies overlooking the waterfalls and he opens his home for receptions and family reunions. When real flowers are out of season, silk blossoms add beauty to heart-shaped flowerbeds and archways, along with numerous planters.
I couldn’t help incorporating the falls into all three of my books, including a proposal and a wedding at the site. Mr. and Mrs. Weatherly agreed to let me have my book launch party there.
So, if you’re ever looking for a beautiful outdoor place for a wedding in a town with the perfect name for romance, check out The Romance Waterfalls. And for the more traditional bride and groom there are three churches in Romance.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of White Roses.
Sounds like a great place for a wedding AND a book launch party. It’s a bit far, or I’d come.
Hey Beth,
I wish you could come. It will be so much fun.
Dear Shannon, I just began reading your book last night. I’m a pastor’s wife in Arkansas as well, and lived in Heber Springs of 5 yrs and Searcy for 5; so I know all these spots fairly well. It’s been interesting reading and I chose your new book over a trilogy of Lori Wick that arrived in the mail with it. My husband has even been asking about it today, so I googled Romance and foung you. We pastor the Assembly of God in West Helena, Ar. now. I will be reading on today as it is cloudy and rainy all day. Loving it!! Thanks and God Bless you and your ministry through Christian Inspirational novels!!
Hey Chris,
I tried to e-mail you personally, but the e-mail with your comment wouldn’t go through for some reason. I’m honored to be chosen over Lori Wick. I hope you continue to enjoy the book. Readers like you keep me going.
we are interested in getting married in Romance is there a website where i can get info on places to use?
The waterfall is absolutely beautiful. How can I obtain information for getting married at this site. My fiancé is active duty army and we plan to get married when he gets his block leave. Possibly next month or so. His father is a minister and his mother is a RN who also just completed the certification to do wedding ceremonies. I am very interested. Any information would be helpful. Thank you so much for your time, hope to hear from you.
Elizabeth