The tiny border village of Gretna Green had its destiny changed forever when, in 1754, England passed a law stating that if either party to a marriage was under 21, they could not marry without parental consent. However, this Act did not apply to Scotland, where you only needed to be 16 years old to marry, with or without parental consent. Gretna Green is the first village on the Scottish side of the border: perfectly situated to take advantage of the desire of many elopers from the South who are desperate to tie the knot.

From way back, the Blacksmith's Shop was at the heart of the village and it soon became the best-known marriage venue. As a "forger", the blacksmith marries hot metal to metal over the anvil, in the same way the old "anvil priests" forged a union between couples who had eloped. This symbol remains today and the old anvil remains the centre of the action.

Gretna Green weddings are easy to arrange. There are two venues to choose from within the Old Blacksmith's Shop: the Marriage Room, which is the original Blacksmith's workshop where thousands of lovers were married over the anvil in days gone by, or in a private marriage room. Contact the venue to make arrangements and to apply for the licence.