In times gone by many young lovers in England could not get married due to strict 18th century laws, which required that any bride or groom under the age of 21 had to seek their parents permission.

So couples ran away to Gretna Green, just over the Scottish border, where marriage laws allowed them to get married quickly before they were discovered.

These day, eloping just means getting married without the stress and expense of a big traditional wedding.  It can still be a lovely occasion, but is often just fun and relaxed, and at the end of the day you are married!