Known primarily as a hotspot for runaway weddings, Gretna Green emerged as a wedding destination due to amendments within English marriage laws as well as its close proximity to England. English law required couples to be over the age of 21 to marry without parental consent.
In Scotland however, it was possible to marry ‘on the spot’ so long as both members of the couple were 16 and single, which meant Gretna Green was the perfect destination for couples who were young and in love!
Weddings have been taking place at Gretna Green since 1754, with almost 1000 weddings and 200 blessings taking place yearly in recent times. Weddings would be performed by ‘Anvil Priests’ within the Famous Blacksmiths Shop; the sound of the ‘hammering of the anvil’ becoming infamous as a symbol of romance within the village.
The Blacksmith’s anvil is still the centrepiece of Gretna Green, and the Famous Shop attracts 750,000 visitors from all around the world every year.
As well as being a 'hotspot' for weddings Gretna Green is also a big tourist destination, with a museum, gift shop and restaurant all on site.
There are plenty of options for accomodation in and around Gretna Green from small B&B's to larger hotels. But for those of you that are looking for the history and romance of a Gretna Green Wedding but are looking a modern twist, Smiths at Gretna Green offers all of that and more...