Gretna Green - A warning!

kawasaki_dave

My better half and I plan to get married in Gretna green this coming October. Having scoured various sites, including MSE, we chose what we thought would be the perfect venue. The website looked good, the prices weren't atrocious and we were encouraged by how helpful the staff appeared on the phone.

Being a former boy scout I decided to be prepared and yesterday we returned from a night at the venue.

Please note, the rest of this post is my personal opinion. I will not name the venue but there are people on this board booked to marry there. We're getting married with a budget of under £2000 and having 40 guests (including reception)! I hope this confirms that I'm not a snob, simply want value for money.

When we arrived at the venue the first thing that caught my eye is how commercial it is. The reception doubles as a gift shop, and there is no exclusivity for any couple. The venue performs at least 4 weddings a day and they have just two function rooms - you WILL pay through the nose to have these exclusively otherwise you will have to share them with other parties.

The accomodation is prefabricated and cheap. There were dirty glasses in the room, the TV didn't function properly and there was a general feeling of cheapness. The hot tap in the bathroom was cracked and the toilet roll holder coming off the wall. The soap and cup holders, and bathroom mirror, were dirty and had signs of rust on them (cheap plasticy material).

I did complain and will give the receptionist her due, we were offerred a room move, but only after we'd already settled in and I'd been told if I wanted a clean glass I had to go to the bar myself to get one.

We had a quick drink in the bar before going into Gretna for dinner. £3.20 for vodka and coke in my opinion is expensive anywhere. The bar staff wore a variety of uniforms and none of them were "smart". The bar also stank of the kitchens, which in turn smell like, the only way I think I can describe it, is like the back of a McDonalds! I also heard a member of staff comment "I want that lot out by six thirty so we can get the next lot in"!!!

After we'd eaten at a fabulous place in town we were chatting to various locals and when mentioning the venue we heard phrases like "commercialised", "shared", and worst of all - "production line"!

We returned to the venue for the night only to be woken at about 1am by a couple arriving next door who had a lovely argument. The walls are paper thin - we literally heard every word.

Breakfast the next morning was described as a "full Scottish breakfast". I'm not Scottish but even I know it wasn't a full Scottish Breakfast. The poor attempt at Haggis actually made my fiance feel ill - and we regularly eat Haggis! The waiting staff looked more hung over than we did!

Suffice to say the moment reception was open I went to complain. I pointed out that if I had wanted to stay in a miniature Butlins I would have booked one - and it would have been cheaper than the £85 per night for a double room we were being charged. I listed my complaints to the guy who I believe may be the owner and was met with an angry stare. He did discount the room by around 30% and when I said I still wasn't satisfied he simply threatened to charge it to the card I'd paid my deposit on anyway.

Fortunately there is a happy ending - whilst leaving Gretna we passed a hotel and decided to take a look on the off chance they may be better - and I pointed out if they could get me out of the now foul mood I was in they'd have my cash. Within 45 minutes they had my cash - absolute result - and much cheaper than the original venue all round.

If you are planning to go to Gretna to get married, PLEASE spend a night at the venue first and check it out for yourself - if we hadn't I truly believe our wedding day would have been ruined.

At present I don't think it right to post the names of any of the places involved here, but may do so via PM or if there's enough call for it. I say again, this post is giving my personal opinion (and that of my partner).

Lish_2

I'm glad you managed to find a better venue in the end- I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason!

Just one thing though- £3.20 for a vodka and coke? Thats a bloody bargain! Try living in Bath.... £4.80 roughly for the same drink!

I hope you both have a fabulous day in your new and improved venue - very diplomatic thread though I must say!

kawasaki_dave

Thanks Lish

I'll remember never to drink in Bath! perhaps I'm spoiled where I am :rotfl:

Always_Harassed

They also allow tourist to witness weddings in the anvil and this takes away from an important time in your life if you've got kagoul wearing tourist that are translating the service for each other.

Neeny82

Thanks for your post Dave, I think you give some important advice! While things can seem good on paper you really must check things out yourself and try and visit the venue a couple of times if possible to make sure it is actually what you want!

You need to remember that some of these venues are only interested in your money (no matter how reasonably priced they are) and they will treat you like a number! The most important day of your life is just another day to them!

My venue, while not as cheap as I would like - is offering a very personal service to me and my OH. They actually make you feel as if you are the most important people they have ever done a wedding for! In my opinion this is how it should be, after all you are parting with a hell of a lot of money! I have had numerous courtesy phonecalls and letters from them since I booked in 2006 (marry this august) and although the venue is very popular I do feel like they genuinly care for the couples marrying there and want you to have the most amazing day that you can!

foxxymynx

Gotta agree that £3.20 for vod and coke is a bargain, lol. I've paid upto almost a fiver and I generally don't go to swanky bars.

Alikay

Well done on deciding to go up for a recce rather than risk disappointment on your special day - was obviously well worth the petrol And congratulations on your forthcoming wedding: I remember you posting when you'd just met the lucky lady (only because your username means something to me...I don't know you personally!), so I'm really happy it's all worked out for you.
:T :T :T

kawasaki_dave

Thanks Ali. Hopefully you missed the bit in the middle where we split up :eek: :rolleyes: But life is very good again now.

xxlaurissaxx

A girl in my work got married in Gretna green and you could view the wedding on web cam through their website! I think you can ask for it to be turned off, but if you dont know its there then the whole world could be sharing your special day. xx

Voyager2002

Dave, I think you should post the name of the second hotel, the one that seems good now that you have seen it.

Allowing witnesses to observe a wedding is actually quite important, and there are good historical reasons for this. Just so long as they behave themselves!

benchyboo

I've PM'd you Dave.