Want to do the Gretna Thing next summer

saraharrow

Next summer me and the OH want to do the Gretna thing ie run off to Scotland and get hitched. We dont have a big budget probably £2k in total.

We have looked on the sites found through Google but what I wanted to know was other peoples experience of organising this, and getting the relatives to Scotland (we have 3 members of immediate family who are 70+)

We would consider doing this down south, but in Scotland a minister can marry us (we are both divorced) in a church, hall or garden but in Essex its a civil ceremony.

And while civil cermonies are great and I have been to some fantastic venues, it really means a lot to me to be married by a Minister rather than a registrar.

Any advice /experiences greatly appreciated

Thanks

Sarah

Becles

We married at the original blacksmiths forge and it was lovely.
http://www.gretnagreen.com
It is a tourist attraction as it's the place where countless runaway brides have married, but they curtain off the forge for your actual ceremony, so only your invited guests watch that bit. It's very romantic and we enjoyed it. The nicest bit was traditionally the bride and groom place their hands together on the anvil and it's struck to seal the marriage as bonded metal cannot break. As I already had two children and hubby became their step-Dad, we had their hands linked in as well, so we were linked as a family rather than a couple. Didn't know that was going to happen and it was beautiful.
This is where we married:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/becles/DSCF0022.jpg

The Garden House hotel was lovely. http://www.gardenhouse.co.uk
The staff were very friendly and keen to do anything and everything they could to make our day go smoothly. Just little things made it for us, like offering an iron and ironing board without us asking and they rang me in the room to say the groom and other guests had left so it was safe for me to come down to the foyer!

We had a reception there and the food was gorgeous. It all tasted very fresh and was well presented. They are only too pleased to organise tables, menus etc., as to your requirements.

The gardens are fabulous and you'll get some smashing pictures:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/becles/DSCF0094.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/becles/DSCF0094.jpg

It was mid-April when we married, so you'll get more colourful plants and green trees in your pics if you marry later in the year!

Would highly recommend both venues. I loved my wedding day and it was everything I wanted it to be.

Florist:
http://www.gretnaweddingflowers.co.uk/

Lovely lady who will make up anything you want, assuming she can get the flowers! She asked what my fave flowers were and the wedding colours, and I was thrilled to bits with the boquets and button holes. The shop is opposite the registry office in Gretna, and they will deliver to your hotel on the day if you wish.

Photographer:
http://www.gretnaweddings.net

Nice man who takes some beautiful pictures. We had a chat beforehand and explained what pictures we wanted included, and he made sure that everyone was captured. He developed the photos straight away, so we got them the morning following the wedding. You also get a CD-ROM of everything he takes.

Minister:
Brian Ridley - a Methodist minister from Cumbria. Have no contact details but he is on the list you get from the Registry Office.
Smashing bloke who added a bit of humour to the ceremony making it very memorable.

It's cheaper organising all the bits yourself rather than using these one stop wedding companies.

Hope you have a beautiful day :cool:

saraharrow

Thanks Becles,Was it easy to organise yourself, or did you have to visit a few times prior?Mmmm, thinking a nice long weekend maybe, of course I'll have to convince him its essentialSarah

Becles

It was easy to organise.

We had one trip up there and visited all the hotels and wedding locations, before deciding which we wanted to book. We also picked up the forms and a booklet of wedding suppliers from the Registry Office.

I did most of the booking and kept in touch with people by phone/email. They're used to people travelling into the area and realise you can't pop round!

If you have a service with a minister, either the bride or groom must pick up the paperwork in person during the week before the wedding.

As we married on Easter Saturday so the office was closed for a long weekend, I made a day trip up there to pick up the paperwork. While I was there, I paid the florist etc., and sorted out last minute bits and bobs.

You must return the paperwork to the registry office after the wedding. If they are closed, you can post it through the letterbox. You'll get your wedding certificate in the post.

nell35

I'm a photographer in gretna and I would definately advise a visit!! The advice Becles gave is very great the only thing I can add is make a list of questions for each individual (eg. venue, florist, hotel, photographer etc) don't be afraid to ask even if you think it's a silly question - they've probably heard it before!!!!!!!!!

saraharrow

Thanks Nell35, Beccles, I think a trip to GRetna is just what we need!Thanks for putting up your pics, looks like you had a fantastic day. Once again thanks, Sarah