William Blow Independent Celebrant

Greta Green became a romantic haven for eloping young couples when, back in 1754, England's new marriage laws prohibited couples under the age of 21 from marrying without approval from their parents. In Scotland, it was much easier to marry. Couples began to flee across the Scottish border to marry in the first building they reached: the Blacksmith's Shop! The Blacksmith, re-invented as an "Anvil Priest", would bring his hammer crashing down onto the anvil to seal the marriage bond between love-struck couples in a shower of sparks! This simple ceremony - both theatrical and exciting - added to Gretna Green's reputation for red-hot romance. Now I may not be a Blacksmith, but my Grandfather was, and his father before him, and his father before... You get the picture - I'm descended from a long line of Blacksmiths! Wherever you decide to hold your ceremony, and whatever symbolic elements you wish to include, why not let this descendant of a Blacksmith forge the ceremony of your dreams to celebrate the sparks of your red-hot romance - we can be as theatrical and exciting as you want! If you'd like an initial conversation to "hammer out" some ideas about your big day, or just to explore if I might be the right celebrant for you, get in touch and we can arrange to chat.