Some names immediately spring to mind such as Antony and Cleopatra, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett, Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, Louis XV of France and Madame de Pompadour, Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier, Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman, and many others.

What about extravagant dedications to love?

“In 1612 Shah Jahan married the Persian princess Arjumand Banu Begum and built the Taj Mahal for her as a tomb when she died in childbirth,” a historian said. “Overall it took  22,000 labourers more than 21 years to complete the epic monument.

“Another dedication to love is Edward VIII’s decision in 1936 to give up the throne for a woman he loved. This undoubtedly deserves a place among history’s most romantic moments.”

Often these great loves were short, for example Queen Victoria lost her husband Albert quite young and it is said she never got over his death, retreating from public life and wearing black for the remaining 40 years of her life.

But for the average person with a limited budget, here are 20 romantic ideas:

Or do something that is special to both of you.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu.