Gretna Green Weddings

The River Sark is the traditional borderline between Scotland and England, One mile inside the border on the Scottish side is a little Village called Gretna Green, which has become famed the world over because of a certain difference between Scottish Law and English Law.

In 1753

An Act of Parliament, Lord Hardwicke's Marriage Act, was passed in England, which stated that if both parties to a marriage were not at least 21 years old, then consent to the marriage had to be given by the parents. This Act did not apply in Scotland where it was possible for boys to get married at 14 and girls at 12 years old with or without parental consent. In addition, English law required the "asking of the banns" (periodic announcements of an impending marriage, with an invitation for anybody who knew of a reason the parties could not marry to state the reason) or, later, the advance issuance of a license for a marriage to be legal; this allowed people who opposed a marriage-even one that could be performed legally to know that it was planned, and thus possibly to prevent it.

With the introduction of these new laws, couples who wanted to get married eloped, crossed the border into Scotland, and because Gretna Green was the first village over the border, Gretna Green became the marriage capital of Britain.

The Local Blacksmiths in those days performed wedding ceremonies and they flourished after the laws were passed through the English Parliament.

Today, Gretna Green remains one of the most popular wedding venues in the world, and thousands of couples still come from all over the world to be married 'over the anvil' at Gretna Green.

One of every six Scottish weddings still take place at Gretna Green

Yesterday March 29th 2008 my Sister Jean and her Partner Gerald (Gerry), were married in The Old Blacksmiths shop in Gretna Green and it was a fantastic way to start their new life together as man and wife.

A wonderful mix of the modern and the traditional coming together to create something very special that will be remembered forever by everyone who attended.

The setting of the Old Blacksmith Shop was the icing on the cake, everything is the same way it would have been 1753 except that the furnace wasn't lit and there was alot of history in the old place, including marriage books dating right back to those early days.

A special mention must go to Linda And Gary Dodd the proprieters of the Hunters Lodge Hotel in Gretna town where we stayed.

I must say that they were fantastic, they were very friendly and willing to help in any way that they could.

The hotel was spotless, the rooms were very well decorated and the service was second to none, this hotel really knows how to look after it's guests and I would Recommend it to anyone looking for excellent accomodation, whether for an overnight stay or for a full vacation.

Linda and Gary ensured the whole day went without a hitch, they really know how to make people feel special.