Amy has made the decision, Gretna Green

[Drac]

Hello all,

With my retirement from the military will also come Amy and my 20th. I asked a while back for suggestions and got some great ones but once she heard Gretna Green all others had lost. While, as some of you know, she has a Master's in History specializing in Elizabeth I's Court she has a minor in English Lit. When she explained (patiently and using small words) the significance of Gretna Green to Victorian England it became clear I should stop looking

Right now we plan to fly out the weekend before and check-in to make sure everything is tracking. Than off to the Edinburgh Zoo for some fun. Than to the wedding.

From their site -

Original Marriage Room
Smiths Hotel Deluxe Double Room
Standard Photography Package
Classic Victoria Horse Carriage
1 Tier Scottish Wedding Cake
Bridal Make-up
Bridal Hair Put up or Curls

I am looking at a full kit with 8-yard kilt (hope to leverage this for a new one) , Argyll jacket & waist coat (already got,black), plus all the accessories. Amy is looking at a 1950's (USA) design dress and brooch bouquet.

For those of you who have done this over in Scotland or just went with a Scottish themed wedding please lend me your advise!!!

Thanks,

Jim

[mookien]

Jim: Congratulations to you and Amy on your 20th anniversary! You have picked a perfect place for a renewal of vows. (Obviously, I am making assumptions here from your mildly telegraphic statements. I hope I'm not too far off.)

As I'm sure you know, Gretna Green has a storied history of hurried, even scurrilous, weddings. It is almost a literary device used in many novels to help the plot along. May you revisit, even relive, some of those episodes in your own romantic adventure, and by doing so, make memories to last two lifetimes.

As for kit advice, if you like fly plaids, weddings are a great place to wear them. In any case I hope you'll share some pictures with us.

John

[cessna152towser]

You will love every minute of it.
I live less than an hour's drive from Gretna Green and I am over there quite often visiting friends. It is a nice little town, and despite being a popular wedding venue is not over touristy.
There is a large modern Outlet Village (shopping mall) if your wife likes that sort of thing.
You will get the sea breezes as Gretna is right on the head of the Solway Coast. Unfortunately the sandy beach is unsafe to walk on due to areas of quicksands but there are pleasant walks along minor roads and paths close to the shore.
Smiths is a relatively new hotel which I have not been inside so can't comment on it.
You will really feel you have had a good holiday (vacation) once you have been to Gretna Green.

[mookien]

Quicksand? Now, that's sage advice.

[Drac]

You will love every minute of it.
I live less than an hour's drive from Gretna Green and I am over there quite often visiting friends. It is a nice little town, and despite being a popular wedding venue is not over touristy.
There is a large modern Outlet Village (shopping mall) if your wife likes that sort of thing.
You will get the sea breezes as Gretna is right on the head of the Solway Coast. Unfortunately the sandy beach is unsafe to walk on due to areas of quicksands but there are pleasant walks along minor roads and paths close to the shore.
Smiths is a relatively new hotel which I have not been inside so can't comment on it.
You will really feel you have had a good holiday (vacation) once you have been to Gretna Green.

Thanks. Both Amy and I will appreciate the shopping and the warning. Quicksand? Not what you would expect. I assume they have signs up in case I forget in the next 18 months?

I know that you have already thought of this, but will mention it anyway.

You will book well in advance, won't you. Like tomorrow. It is one of those venues that gets booked up well in advance.

Just got the email back from them about an hour ago. Will probably make the reservations by the end of the week.

Thanks all, we are really looking forward to this. We won't get as much time in Scotland as we could wish nor will we be able to see much but it is a beginning.

Jim

[bdkilted]

Jim and Amy; Have a great time. Just one favor, don't mention your plans to Kathie. We have the 25th coming up next year, and I don't want to give her any idea. LOL

[Drac]

We normally do minor things on the "5" years and something major on the "10s." At 10 we got custom wedding rings.

Jim

[Pleater]

My sister's daughter got married in Gretna Green and I got loads of photos and reports of just how wonderful all the arrangements were - they even managed to have the rain stop for exactly the length of time it took to have photos taken outside, just as the last guests entered the building the heavens opened once more.

If all goes as well for you, you should have a most memorable experience.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Nile]

What a wonderful way to renew your vows, Jim. Congratulations to you and Amy on your 20th Anniversary.

I can't think of a better excuse than this for a new kilt. Other wise, you seem to have a lot of it worked out.

As far as weddings in Scotland go, here is one idea (link) though I wouldn't really recommend doing what this couple did.

I look forward to seeing the pictures.

Nile

[Chas]

I know that you have already thought of this, but will mention it anyway.

You will book well in advance, won't you. Like tomorrow. It is one of those venues that gets booked up well in advance.