Forget Las Vegas - Gretna Green has been perfecting runaway marriages since the middle of the 18th century when English and Welsh couples eloped across the border to take advantage of the more relaxed marriage laws in Scotland. With no need for parental consent this border village saw an influx of couples needing a quickie wedding - and the blacksmiths were only to be pleased to oblige. The difference in the law may be a thing of the past but the romance of a Gretna Green wedding has never died and, in fact, the neighbouring town of Gretna has exchanged its original raison d'être (munitions) for marriages.
There are four wedding venues in Gretna and Gretna Green, and with a host of local businesses dedicated to matrimony, there is nowhere else in the UK with the ability to deliver exactly what a couples needs within any budget. Similarly, nowhere else in the UK, or indeed the world, can marry a couple over the anvil and invoke centuries of nuptial history. The romance of Gretna Green is undiminished.
In this film I had the great privilege of being allowed to attend and film the wedding of David and Kelly at the Anvil Hall. It was a joyful experience and I wish them every happiness. I am also very grateful to Stuart, Mark and Craig for sharing their experiences of Gretna weddings.
Why is Gretna Green famous?
Can you just turn up at Gretna and get married?
How much is a Gretna wedding?
The answers to all these questions and more are in the film!
Filmed - September 2023
Jonathan Wheeler
eye scotland channel
@eyescotland
Sister Channel to Travel Obscurer
www.travelobscurer.com
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30 июл 2024
