The Dons powered their way to an early two-goal lead and despite the visitors coming more into the game after the interval ran out comfortable victors.
Aberdeen ought to have taken the lead on 14 minutes when Lee Miller turned his man to pick out home debutant Jeffrey de Visscher, who strode clear of the visitors' defence and into the penalty area.
With the keeper advancing he tried to be too clever and only succeeded in lobbing the ball into the grateful arms of Greg Fleming.
Aberdeen weren't to be denied however as they opened the scoring on 16 minutes when Alexander Diamond rose unchallenged to head Jamie Smith's corner kick beyond the despairing grasp of Fleming.
The game looked to be almost over as a contest minutes later when a shot pass from Gavin Skelton was intercepted by Jamie Smith who ran from the halfway line to easily net from 19 yards.
Gretna's defence was all at sea again on 33 minutes when de Visscher climbed above Aurelien Collin to send Jamie Smith clear, his deft flick beyond Fleming slid just wide of the upright.
With the Dons running down the clock to half-time they almost came unstuck when Allan Jenkins picked up a loose ball in midfield before turning away from Andrew Considine, with the Dons defenders backing off the striker's low shot from 20 yards was comfortably held by Jamie Langfield.
With Aberdeen content to hold on to what they had, the visitors did fashion some good chances, but efforts from Jenkins and Erik Paartalu failed to trouble the Dons goal.
Second-half sub Darren Mackie latched on to a brilliant early long clearance from Langfield, the striker looked to have been muscled off the ball by Collin, however his persistence almost paid off as he regained possession before smashing in a great low shot which Gretna keeper Fleming did very well to parry on 78 minutes.
Gretna passed up an excellent chance of a late consolation goal on 82 minutes.
Aberdeen's defence were slow to push out allowing a great ball over the top from Jenkins which saw Fabian Yantorno advance to the edge of the Dons area, but a lack of composure saw him fire carelessly over the crossbar.
Derek Young had a great chance with the game beyond the visitors, however his effort from 18 yards was screwed well wide of the target.