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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? |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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).
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