Romantic Gretna Green

Gretna has been a haven for romantic lovers for more than 250 years and this tradition is still going strong today.

So, how did Gretna Green become the World's number one marriage venue?

The Scots, like the Celts, are warm, hospitable and loving people who have always had an open and progressive attitude towards marriage.

Other countries, including England and many other European countries, hold different values.

Traditionally, in Scotland, a man and woman over the age of sixteen could be married by declaring themselves husband and wife in front of witnesses. In England, such marriages were prohibited by Act of Parliament in 1745 with the result that eloping couples fled to Scotland for their marriages.

Gretna Green was the first changing post across the Scottish Border for the stagecoaches on the main London to Edinburgh route, and so began its long association with the romance of the runaways.

The ceremonies were often carried out over the anvil with the "Blacksmith Priest" officiating. This remained the position for over 100 years.

Then in 1857 another Act of Parliament imposed residential qualifications on the fleeting lovers, whom locals took to their hearts as they lived out the compulsory 21 days in the area before they could marry.

In 1940 Parliament stepped in once again to outlaw the "Blacksmiths Priests" and their anvil marriages. Thereafter, marriages could only be conducted by a Minister of Religion or an authorised Registrar.

But the romances lived on. With no residential qualifications for marriage in Scotland nowadays, and no parental consent required for couples over sixteen (unlike the regulations of many other countries) couples have continued to run away - albeit with the need to serve notice to the Registrar, Gretna and Gretna Green have attracted visitors from all over the world.

So many thousands of lovers have wed at Gretna Green that its name and traditions live in all corners of the globe.

All modes of transport have been used to deliver couples to the anvil: car, van, lorry, fire engine, horse and carriage, horseback, bicycle and motor bike.

One couple arrived with their boat in tow. En route to Inverness for their honeymoon on the Caledonian Canal, they stopped off at Gretna to be married, then continued up north. The boat was decorated with streamers and balloons and the traditional "Just Married" sign had been placed on the stern bedecked with a couple of L. plates.

One couple had arranged their wedding to fit in with their journey to Aviemore to take part in the International sled-pulling competitions. The 29 Huskies remained in their transporter outside the anvil whilst the marriage was being solemnised.

Wedding outfits worn at Gretna Green have been varied. When the wedding parties arrive on motor bikes resplendent in black leather; the bride is the one with the bouquet.

Robin Hood and Maid Marion arrived at the anvil on horseback. Fortunately, the horse was tied to a tree outside the building whilst the ceremony was taking place.

More than one couple has arrived without a common language and these marriages require the presence of two interpreters. You may wonder how they arrive at a point where they wanted to marry here!

They may have seen Gretna Green on television as numerous TV production companies from around the world have arrived to make programmes However the couples arrive and however they are dressed, they are all made most welcome.

We are here to help you

To book your Anvil Hall Wedding or for help and advice with your Gretna Green wedding, telephone 01461 337971 or email (weddings@anvilhall.com).