A good package buys back a lot of organising. Just read it closely — "all-inclusive" rarely means every last thing.
What a package usually includes
Packages differ by venue and tier, but most bundle the ceremony room, the coordination of your celebrant or registrar, the traditional anvil ceremony, and often the two witnesses you're required to have and a toast to follow. Move up the tiers and photography, flowers, a piper or a meal start to be folded in. The lower tiers are essentially "turn up and marry"; the higher ones are a whole day handled for you.
What packages cost
To show a real, current range rather than a vague "from…", here is one independent Gretna venue's published 2026 tariff:
The Mill Forge, an independent Gretna venue — published 2026 prices, shown as a real current example, not an average. Every venue differs; always check the current tariff.
The line that's never in the package
However all-inclusive a package looks, it does not include the registrar's statutory fee — that's paid directly to Gretna Registrars and always sits on top: £439 on a weekday, £666 at a weekend, plus a £90 notice fee. So that "£495 ceremony only" is really around £1,024 on a weekday once the registrar is added. We've set the whole sum out on the true-cost page — read it before you compare packages, or you'll be comparing the wrong numbers.
How to compare packages fairly
Put every package on the same footing before you judge it. Check: is the registrar fee on top (it is)? What's the per-head catering charge? Are accommodation and photography included or extra? Are witnesses provided? Does a weekend carry a premium — from the venue as well as the council? Our budget calculator will hold the totals side by side.
Common questions
What is included in a Gretna Green wedding package?
It varies by venue, but a package typically bundles the ceremony room, coordination of the celebrant or registrar, the anvil ceremony, and often witnesses and a toast — sometimes photography and flowers at the higher tiers. What it does NOT include is the registrar’s statutory fee, which is always paid separately.
How much are Gretna Green wedding packages?
At one independent Gretna venue, The Mill Forge, published 2026 packages run from £495 for ceremony-only to £10,995 for exclusive hire, with elopement and mid-range tiers in between. Every venue differs — treat these as a real example, not a fixed rate.
Does the package price include the registrar fee?
No. The registrar’s fee — £439 on a weekday or £666 at a weekend, plus a £90 notice fee — is paid directly to Gretna Registrars and is never part of the venue package. Always add it on top. See our full cost breakdown.
What should I check before booking a package?
Whether the registrar fee is on top (it is), the per-head catering cost, whether accommodation and photography are included or extra, whether witnesses are provided, and whether a weekend date carries a premium — both from the venue and from the council.