Instead of munching on sandwiches and crisps, the couple dined on freshly cooked shellfish, and instead of sitting on a blanket in the local park, the pair were seated at a linen covered table directly in the middle of an ancient stone circle.
When Mike Overell asked his beloved wife Anne how she would like to celebrate their crystal wedding anniversary on July 24, she suggested an intimate picnic in the country to mark their 15 years together, commenting that she had yet to visit Easter Aquorthies Stone Circle.
Not exactly enamoured with the idea of a picnic, Mike set out to make the occasion really special.
He decided that they would indeed spend the day at his wife's chosen venue, though not quite as she anticipated, seeing as his plans included gaining permission from Aberdeenshire Council to hire a chef to cook them a meal directly in the centre of the stone circle.
Mike said: "I contacted Harry Fraser Catering Services in Inverurie and organised lunch for the two of us, with a single table, two chairs, linen table cloth and full silver service.
"The chef barbecued a two course lunch of Thai king prawns followed by lobster tails, rose champagne, coffee and a crème brûlée in the middle of the stone circle on a glorious day.
"It simply made our anniversary something to write home about."
Anne was simultaneously surprised and delighted with her husband's efforts.
She told the Herald: "He had really thought about it and put in the effort. We ate all my favourite foods, and he made sure there were no onions because I don't like them.
"I'm very impressed; I would have been happy with sandwiches from the supermarket! It was a wonderful surprise and I wish more people did it."
The day was perfect, with beautiful weather for the couple as they enjoyed their surroundings.
Anne, a potter and artist, is an enthusiast of the history of stone circles.
Originally from Finland, where the couple married in 1982, Anne loves the stone circles in the North east.
She continued: "I think they are wonderful, and, as I'd never seen the Easter Aquorthies Stone Circle, I thought the area would be great for a picnic. I didn't expect to be sitting in the middle of them though!
"The place was beautiful and it was all really nice. We have three kids, aged 15, 14 and nearly 13, and so it was nice to have time for just the two of us."
Mike added: "Now having set a precedent, I have to come up with something similar or better next year."
Anne agreed, and can now look forward to celebrating her 16th anniversary in an unusual but extremely romantic fashion, just as she did this year.