7 Unforgettable Secrets Of Emma Thompson And Greg Wise’s Scottish Wedding And 20-Year Love Story

Few Hollywood couples embody enduring love and intellectual partnership quite like Dame Emma Thompson and Greg Wise. While their relationship began under the intense scrutiny of a major film set and followed the painful public end of Thompson's first marriage, their low-key 2003 wedding in Scotland remains a powerful symbol of their commitment. As of this current date in December 2025, their decades-long partnership continues to fascinate fans, not just for its longevity but for its unconventional start and the unique family they've built together.

The story of their wedding is less about a lavish celebrity affair and more about a deeply personal celebration, marked by a classic Scottish downpour and a sense of quiet, hard-won happiness. From their fateful meeting on the set of a Jane Austen classic to their surprisingly modern views on romantic love, their journey is a masterclass in building a lasting bond in the public eye. This is the definitive look at the details of their wedding, their family life, and the enduring secrets of their successful marriage.

The Complete Biography: Emma Thompson and Greg Wise

The foundation of their celebrated marriage is built on two formidable careers and distinct personal histories. Their union is a blending of two of Britain's most respected acting talents.

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Emma Thompson: A Profile

• Full Name: Dame Emma Thompson
• Born: April 15, 1959 (Age 66 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Paddington, London, England
• Parents: Eric Thompson (actor/writer) and Phyllida Law (actress)
• Key Awards: Two Academy Awards (Best Actress for Howards End; Best Adapted Screenplay for Sense and Sensibility), multiple BAFTAs and Golden Globes.
• Notable Filmography: Howards End, Sense and Sensibility, Love Actually, Nanny McPhee, Saving Mr. Banks, Cruella, Matilda the Musical.
• First Marriage: Kenneth Branagh (married 1989, divorced 1995).

Greg Wise: A Profile

• Full Name: Greg Wise
• Born: May 15, 1966 (Age 59 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Newcastle upon Tyne, England
• Parents: Architect parents
• Education: Studied architecture before training at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
• Notable Filmography: Sense and Sensibility, Cranford, The Crown (as Lord Mountbatten), A Private War, Strictly Come Dancing (2021 contestant).

The Fateful Meeting on Set: How Greg Wise Saved Emma Thompson

The true beginning of their love story is a piece of Hollywood legend, intertwined with a period of intense personal heartbreak for Thompson. They met in 1995 on the set of the critically acclaimed film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility.

A Prophetic Start

Thompson was playing the lead role of Elinor Dashwood and was also the screenwriter, while Wise played the charming but unreliable Willoughby. At the time, Thompson was still reeling from the collapse of her first marriage to Kenneth Branagh, which ended due to his infidelity.

In a surprising twist, Wise initially believed he was destined to be with Kate Winslet, who was also starring in the film. However, a psychic friend of Wise’s told him he would find his future wife on the set, but that she was not Winslet. The friend pointed him toward Thompson.

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Thompson has openly credited Wise with helping her rebuild her life after the divorce, stating that Wise “picked up the pieces and put them together again.” Their relationship began in April 1995, marking a new, more grounded chapter for the star.

The Intimate Scottish Wedding: A Converted Barn and a Downpour

After eight years of dating and the birth of their first child, Emma Thompson and Greg Wise tied the knot in a wonderfully private and un-Hollywood ceremony in the summer of 2003.

Key Wedding Details

• Date: July 2003 (some sources cite July 29, 2003).
• Venue: A converted barn on the shores of Loch Eck in Argyll, Scotland.
• Atmosphere: Intimate, low-key, and deeply personal, held at one of their homes.
• The Weather: In true Scottish fashion, the day was marked by a "Scottish downpour." This detail has become a charming part of their wedding lore, proving that nothing—not even the weather—could dampen their joy.

The choice of a remote, converted barn in Argyll, rather than a grand estate or a city wedding, perfectly reflects the couple’s desire for privacy and their deep connection to Scotland (Thompson's mother, Phyllida Law, is Scottish). The ceremony was a quiet celebration of their established family unit, which already included their daughter, Gaia, and their adopted son, Tindyebwa. The focus was on their commitment, not on celebrity fanfare.

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More Than a Marriage: Family Life and the Secret to Their Longevity

The true measure of Thompson and Wise’s bond is found not just in their wedding day but in the family life they’ve cultivated over two decades. Their approach to marriage is refreshingly honest, providing a modern template for long-term relationships.

Building a Unique Family

Thompson and Wise are parents to two children:

1. Gaia Wise: Born in December 1999, Gaia was conceived via IVF after years of struggling with fertility. She has followed her parents into the acting world.
2. Tindyebwa Agaba Wise: An adopted son from Rwanda. The couple met Tindyebwa, a former child soldier, at a refugee council event when he was 16. He was officially adopted into the family in 2003, the same year as their wedding, adding an extraordinary layer of commitment to their new life together.

Their decision to adopt Tindyebwa, alongside raising Gaia, showcases a profound capacity for love and a dedication to a family structure that extends beyond conventional boundaries, adding immense topical authority to their story.

The "Myth" of Romantic Love

One of the most recent and insightful revelations about their marriage is their candid view on romantic love. Thompson has been vocal in recent interviews, stating that the concept of "romantic love" is largely a "myth" perpetuated by Hollywood—a particularly bold statement coming from a star of Love Actually.

Instead of fleeting passion, the couple attributes their longevity to a deeper, more realistic foundation:

• Evolution: Acknowledging that the relationship must change over two decades.
• Friendship and Partnership: Prioritizing a strong, communicative partnership over constant, unrealistic romantic intensity.
• Humour: Thompson once joked that the secret is simply "lots and lots of sex."

Their enduring love story, cemented by a rainy Scottish wedding in a converted barn, proves that the most successful celebrity marriages are often the ones built on honesty, a shared sense of humour, and a willingness to evolve together.