Gretna green - Mum I've just got married!!!! (Gretna Green)

Member Name: rrharmston

Product:	Gretna Green
Date:	31/07/09 (81 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, cheerful, easy to arrange, lots of choices, stress free

Disadvantages: tourists, lots of brides on some days

We have just returned from our wedding at Gretna green and I have to say we had a great day. It was organized through one of the many wedding bureaus - have not mentioned name because I'm not sure I'm allowed to?

Wedding planning with an easy touch - I'm not one to stress over colour schemes and seating arrangements and as we already have a daughter/not religious I did not want a church wedding. Found a bureau, clicked entries on a form and submitted it with two dates/times and a deposit. Thirty minutes later receive a call from a lovely scottish lady who confirmed our date!!! Decided at this point it was a good idea to tell my fiancee the date was set.....

Location - the old blacksmiths shop next to the Gretna Hall hotel. This is less touristy than the one which is very close to the outlet mall and we just had one elderly couple and a video camera :). We opted for a mid week wedding after the bank holiday to cut down on tourists. One wedding is held at a time in one of the three wedding rooms. We opted for the shop with the carriage at the back.

Hotel accommodation - Gables Hotel, Gretna green. Nice enough hotel, quiet out of the way location. We were not in a bridal suite as I had to have an executive room with an extra bed in it again for daughter but they were happy to arrange this. Comfy beds and nice clean bathroom. Only problem was that the room faced the front of the hotel so there were flood lights pointing at the room.... We spent the night making shadow animals on the wall until we were told the next day that there were well hidden black out blinds. Hotel has a small garden with an anvil for photos. Room service and food quality was great. They were very helpful and able to cater for those with a specialised diet as I suffer from crohns.

The day - cake arrived before lunch time direct from local bakery. Flowers delivered from florist just down the road with extra paid for teddy for daughter. Visited the tacky shops for ribbon for the car.... Spent thiry minutes being laced into my enormous, burgandy red rather over the top gown and then went outside to play horsey on the anvil with rather impatient daughter. Gorgeous white vintage car arrived with hunky driver (allowed to look not a married woman!!!). Ten minute drive to the location. Car very similar to vintage rolls (option for horse and carriage but did not trust weather).

Piped into the Old Shop by a piper (lasts 30 seconds maybe not worth the extra). Short, simple ceremony by a local registrar - no music or hyms but this was fine for us and very child friendly. Signed register and then noted toddlers jeans and pink jelly shoes still on under toddlers dress. Piped around the gardens to have photographs taken. The grounds are pretty and there are ample shots for a professional or friend to take. The back in the car with the roof down to the hotel. Arrived back at hotel and headed for the bar to see the other brides - thankfully not too many and I win the award for the largest dress :)

Pros - easy to organise wedding on a budget. Cost around £2000 including accomodation, photographs, meals and all wedding items. This was one of the most expensive packages. Registrars fees are extra and paid seperately.
Very child friendly.
Great for a small or large group and plenty of venues to choose from.
You still get to wear the dress of your dreams....
Quick and easy stress free wedding if you don't want the day to be all planning

Cons
Tourists in season
Procession of brides - sure the locals say here comes another one... easily spotted by accents
Some of the local hotels are run down
Lack of local facilities

To save money on friends and relations hotel rooms I'd recommend booking a holiday cottage in the very northern lake district or carlisle as this is only about 20-25 miles away from the venue

Summary: We loved it so will be renwing vows in a few years!!!