To Be Married Over the Anvil

The 1750s saw many changes in Britain under George II. In 1752 , the Julian calendar
 to the Gregorian calendar was reformed on 1 January and gained official status as the
first of the year, although it has been widely accepted for a long time . With settings in
the calendar, the year was set at the beginning of each year, on April 6 .

The following year, the Marriage Act of Lord Hardwicke spent in England. The law
 prevents anyone from getting married under the age of 21 and only allowed marriage
 with full parental consent. This law does not apply in Scotland, where children could be
 14 to 12 girls to marry - with or without the consent of their parents.

So , following the historic route from London to Edinburgh training young people hav
 crossed the border elopers / Scottish English , and the first people who came along
River Esk was Gretna Green.

It is in the old forge, which was built around 1712 , the marriage seems to trade
 flourished during these " runaway marriages " ( elsewhere in the city include B and small farms ) .

Under Scottish law, "irregular marriages" took place , which simply means that the
 declaration of marriage should be done in the presence of two witnesses. So, anyone
 had the power to proceed with the ceremony. Blacksmith Anvil hit and declaring
 "Under the rights and laws of Scotland elders are now husband and wife" became public
. Gretna Green Blacksmiths were known as " anvil priests " and the anvil became an
 important symbol of weddings in Gretna Green. Today, for good fortune in matters
 of the heart , you just touch the famous anvil.

In 1929, the Scottish law was changed and the two sides should be at least 16 years
of marriage , but even without parental consent . Today, the law in England , Scotland
 and Wales, said it is possible to get married at 16 with consent and 18 without .

Over 5,000 marriages ( and 1 in 6 marriages Scottish ) held at Gretna Green each
 year , giving him the title of " 1 wedding venue in the UK Number" and one of the
most famous in the world. All services are carried out on the anvil of a blacksmith
 emblematic and therefore can be said to have been married " on the anvil " in Gretna Green.

Today at common law, a " Gretna Green wedding , " a marriage that took place
outside the residence of the bride or groom , allowing them to avoid restrictions on
 the circumstances of your marriage that you can apply in their homes.

A visit to Gretna Green can understand just a little shopping, a museum visit or a blessing
 Gretna Green Anvil . To stay an extra night in the luxury hotel , a Scottish bagpiper
 player , champagne and flowers that will cost you about 500 € (much less expensive
 than the national average cost of a wedding, from 15,000 to 25,000 !)

Thus, " on the anvil " until death do us part ...