Wedding FAQs
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Yes! In fact, people have been marrying here since 1710 in Gretna Hall Historic Marriage House and since 1754 in the Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop. Today, nearly 3,500 couples tie the knot every year and about 200 couples renew their vows.
Yes, there are a variety of venues nowadays in and around the Gretna Green area but the Famous Blacksmiths Shop and Gretna Hall offer the most authentic experience of the original buildings and is located at the heart of Gretna Green Village. It is by far the most well-known and is home to the legendary Anvil.
The ceremony takes around 20 minutes to half an hour.
No – Popular or iconic dates (such as Valentine’s Day or New Year’s Eve) DO get booked out very very quickly here at Gretna Green Famous Blacksmith Shop, Smiths Hotel, Gretna Hall and The Old Toll Bar. If your heart IS set on getting married on one of these iconic days, booking in advance may be necessary… and is definitely a good idea! There will often be space especially if you’re willing to make a few compromises (for example, changing to earlier or later in the day, having a smaller reception). Don’t be put off – contact our wedding team here at Gretna Green even if you think you’ve left it too late!
The Original Marriage Room can take up to 50 guests, The Forge 50, The Coach House at Gretna Hall 70, The Courtyard Room at Gretna Hall 80, The Cottage at Gretna Hall 8, Smiths Function Rooms 20 -180, Smiths Penthouse Balcony 6 and the Old Toll Bar at 30 guests.
Yes, the Original Marriage Room and Forge Marriage room are adjacent to the Famous Blacksmiths Shop Gretna Green Experience, inside the Famous Blacksmiths Shop. Visitors are not permitted to enter the marriage rooms which are closed-off during the ceremony. The Penthouse Balcony, Smiths Marriage Hall, Gretna Hall Marriage Rooms and the Old Toll Bar are all private wedding venues.
A religious ceremony is similar to that which you would have in a church, although it is not as deeply involved as a church ceremony and is less formal. Civil ceremonies are conducted by a civil marriage celebrant and are slightly shorter than religious ceremonies.
No, it is no longer required for a couple to reside in the parish where they wish to marry for any longer than the duration of the ceremony. Back in 1856, a marriage act was introduced which enforced the requirement for one member of the couple to reside in the parish for at least 21 days. This law has since been repealed. Many of our couples like to arrive in Gretna Green and stay at Smiths Hotel or Gretna Hall for a number of days before their wedding day to finalise and relax before their big day.
You can no longer just turn up to be married at Gretna Green, the minimum period of time required for arranging your wedding is 29 clear days (this is how long it takes the Registrars to check your documentation and draw up your marriage schedule). The maximum period for submitting your M10 form to the Registrars is 3 months.
For booking a wedding on a day such as Valentine’s Day we advise you to book well up to a year in advance.
Please download your M10 form from us or call Gretna Registration Office on 0303 333 3000 who can also provide them.
Contact the Gretna Registrars and they will send you the M10 forms or you can download them on the Dumgal website. When you have completed the M10 forms return them to Gretna Registrars along with your birth certificates and any other relevant documents such as divorce papers and fees. On your wedding day, all you need is your marriage schedule, which will have been prepared by the Gretna Registrars.
Both religious and civil ceremonies are possible. You will need your Decree Absolute to organise a wedding but that is the only difference.
Yes, we have a range of function rooms and reception options available at our hotels (Smiths and Gretna Hall).
No, we can arrange a photographer for you and take care of the booking. We work with reputable local suppliers and all photographers we work with come highly recommended. You can, of course, choose not to have a professional photographer present, but we would certainly advise it as it is a wonderful way to treasure your special day at Gretna Green. We can also arrange other items such florists, car hire and much more should you require them.
We are a short 5-minute drive (1.5 miles) from the Gretna Registry office. Our Wedding Planners offices are based in our hotels. In Smiths Hotel it’s beside reception on the ground floor and at Greens and Gretna Hall, please come to the main reception.
We are 90 miles from Glasgow Airport, 70 miles from Newcastle Airport and 150 miles from Manchester Airport. Postcode DG16 5EA.
From the M74 or A75. Come off at the Gretna/Gretna Green junction and follow the brown tourist signs to the “Old Blacksmith’s Shop Visitor Centre”. More information & travel directions to Gretna Green
Trains from Carlisle and Glasgow stop at the Gretna Green station. We are a 5-minute walk away.
Along with a range of Gretna Green personalised gifts, hampers and gift boxes, luxury jewellery and homeware, and there is a wide selection of crystal, from vases to a set of wine glasses; China, from a delicate trinket box to a dinner set as well as figures and other gifts.
Of course, in fact, our kilt hire specialist onsite here in Gretna Green can advise on cost and fitting. You don’t have to be Scottish or of Scottish descent to wear a kilt. You can contact them on 01461 337662.
We have a resident piper here at Gretna Green whom we can help book for your big day or you can choose to enter to a tune of your choice. We have a CD player as well as a dock and auxiliary cable to connect to almost any phone or personal music player enabling us to play almost any tune requested!
Other than Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, and other registered assistance dogs, no pets or animals are permitted in the venue or on our premises unless prior agreement has been made.
