Why thousands of couples are choosing Scotland to say 'I do'
A quarter of all marriages in Scotland involve couples who don't live here but see it as the ultimate wedding destination.
Thousands of couples are choosing Scotland for their weddings, despite many of them not being Scottish residents. Nearly a quarter of all marriages registered in Scotland last year involved non-Scottish couples. Gretna Green, a town in Dumfries and Galloway, accounts for more than half of these destination weddings. The town's association with romance dates back to 1754, when young runaway couples crossed the border into Scotland to marry without needing parental consent.
Patryk and Angelika, who met as teenagers, chose Gretna Green for their 2024 wedding, feeling a deep connection to the centuries-old tradition of a Gretna wedding. Chihon and Anna Maria, who met in Edinburgh through a dance society, were drawn to the island's unique scenery and felt it held a special place in their lives. Hayden and Savannah, who had never been to Scotland before, were equally convinced by the country's historical charm and picturesque landscapes.
All these couples have found in Scotland a place that feels like a "home away from home" and a backdrop for their love stories.
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