On This Spot: The Gretna Dash of the Lovesick

A couple comes outside for photos after being married at the Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop.

In 1753, Philip Yorke, the 1st Earl of Hardwicke, successfully introduced to England’s Houses of Parliament the Marriage Act, known also by its full name “An Act for the Better Preventing of Clandestine Marriage.” The act required that couples be married in a church and have the consent of their parents if they were under 21 years of age. Scotland to the north, however, did not adopt the new rules and continued to allow marriage between any couple over the age of sixteen who, with two witnesses present, declared they wished to be married in what was called a “handfasting” ceremony.

05. Gretna Green Blacksmith Shop

The Gretna Green Blacksmith Shop commemorates all blacksmith shops that were active during the 1800s. The Blacksmith Shop, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, was open to scheduled tours and live demonstrations in the art of metalworking so guests could enjoy the artistry of the blacksmith as he demonstrated his craft.

The public will also enjoy this demonstration during the annual Spring Tour of Homes, by admission. Also, blacksmith classes have been offered during the winter months in the past, prior to the pandemic.

The Blacksmith Shop is the venue for weddings or vow renewals hosted by Gretna Historical Society in the annual Gretna Green Valentine Day Weddings. After a walk led by the bagpiper through the flower bedecked arch to the Blacksmith Shop, the “Marrying Judge” Vernon Wilty marries the couples.

The blacksmith, Tommy Verret seals the deal by hitting the anvil in the centuries old tradition of Gretna’s namesake, Gretna Green, Scotland, world famous for its Runaway Marriages since 1753. When couples were eloping from England to Scotland, the first village they came to was Gretna Green, the first building was the Ole Blacksmith Shop. Gathering two witnesses from the neighborhood, the blacksmith would marry the couple.

The little German settlement of Mechanickham across the river from New Orleans became known for its “quickie” marriages because of more accommodating Justices of the Peace and many couples would cross the river on the ferry to be married in the little village along what is now Huey P. Long Avenue.

With the appearance of a popular play in New Orleans, entitled “Gretna Green, or Matrimony in Scotland,” in the early 1800s, the story of the runaway marriages in the play were compared with the quickie marriages across the river, and the little village became known as Gretna, Louisiana.

The GHS Blacksmith Shop Weddings end with a toast with the bubbly and all is well on the most romantic day of the year!

The William D. White House, an 1840s historic Creole cottage in the blacksmith shop’s front yard, is available for receptions.

For availability and rates, call the museum complex office at 504.362.3854 or email directoroffacilities@gretnahistoricalsociety.org