Gretna Green is a village in Scotland noted for the runaway marriages that were performed there. It lies in Dumfries and Galloway Region, near the English border. Couples in England who wanted a quick marriage eloped to Gretna Green. There, they had only to make their vows in a ceremony performed before witnesses. In 1939, the marriage laws were changed to require the presence of a minister or other official. Couples now also need to make a marriage notice 15 days before their weddings. Before 1969, parental consent for marriage was not required past age 16 in Scotland, compared to age 21 in other parts of Britain. In 1969, the age was lowered from 21 to 18, making runaway marriages less attractive.
About 3,000 people live in Gretna Green. Any town to which couples go to be married in haste is sometimes called Gretna Green.
