Marriage in Eirena

There are typically two officiants, a priest and priestess. The priest addresses the bride, the priestess addresses the groom. An altar stands between the officiants and the couple. On the altar is a bowl of earth, a bowl of water, a string of bells, three candles (two of which are given to the couple), and six cords of different colors.
Here is the typical wording for this type of Handfasting ceremony:
Before you go further, know now that you have formed ties between each other in this life. As you seek to enter marriage, strive to realize the ideals that give meaning to this ceremony and marriage itself.
Know now, with full awareness, that within this grove/at this altar, you not only declare your intent to be married before your family and friends, but also that you speak that intent before Elyon and the Guardians.
Your promises made today and the ties bound here will greatly strengthen your union and will cross the years until the end. Do you still seek marriage?
Couple replies: “Yes, we intend to marry”
Then may your union be blessed by the Guardians.
*the officiants turn to the East, shaking the string of bells*
Blessed be this union by Lyes’an, Guardian of the East. Bless this beginning with strong hearts, minds, and bodies, the healing of love, and the growth found in communication and shared silence.
*the officiants turn to the South as the couple light the candles in the officiants' hands *
Blessed be this union by Laich’an, Guardian of the South. Bless this beginning with the warmth of hearth and home, the heat of passion, and the light created by your souls to brighten the darkest times.
*The officiants use the two candles to light the white candle on the altar*
*the officiants turn to the West and use their fingers to flick water westward*
Blessed be this union by Adroni’an, Guardian of the West. Bless this beginning with the deepness of the ocean of life, the cleansing rain of communication, and the excitement of the rushing river.
*the officiants turn to the North and toss a handful of earth northward*
Blessed be this union by Agni’an, Guardian of the North. Bless this beginning with a firm foundation on which to build your legacy, fertile fields to enrich your lifes, and a stable home to always return to.
*the officiants face the bride and groom*
May the Guardians bless you with a happy union. I bid you now to look into each other’s eyes.
[Man], will you cause her pain? MAN: I may Is that your intent? NO
[Woman], Will you cause him pain? WOMAN: I may. Is that your intent? NO
*to Both*
Will you share in each other’s pain, comfort each other, and seek to leave it behind? YES
Join your hands
The bride and groom join right hands as they look into each other’s eyes.
First cord is draped across their hands by the groom’s mother
And so the first binding is made. [Woman], will you share his laughter? YES [Man], will you share her laughter? YES
*to both*
Will you both look for the positive in life and brightness of the other? YES
Second cord is draped across their hands by the bride’s mother
And so the second binding is made. [Woman], will you burden him? I MAY Is that your intent? NO [Man], will you burden her? I MAY Is that your intent? NO
*to both*
Will you share your burdens that your spirits will grow? YES
Third cord is draped across their hands by the groom’s father
And so the third binding is made. [Woman], will you share his dreams? YES [Man], will you share her dreams? YES
*to Both* Will you dream together, creating new hopes for the future? YES
Fourth cord is draped across their hands by the bride’s father
And so the fourth binding is made. [Man], will you cause her anger? I MAY Is that your intent? NO [Woman], will you cause him anger? I MAY Is that your intent? NO
*to Both*
Will you use the heat of anger to temper the strength of your marriage? WE WILL
Fifth cord is draped across their hands by the priestess
And so the fifth binding is made [Woman], will you honor him? I WILL [Man], will you honor her? I WILL
*to both*
Will you strive to never break that honor? WE WILL NEVER BREAK THAT HONOR
Sixth cord is draped across their hands by the priest
And so the final binding is made. The knots of the binding are not of the cords, but of your vows. You may drop the cords, for, now as always, you hold the making or breaking of this union in your own hands.
The cords are removed and placed on altar. The removal is done by releasing their hands, reaching behind to grab the cords, and pulling the cords through into a knot.
The officiants face the witnesses and declare: We present, with the blessings of Elyon and His Guardians, newlyweds [names]. May their union be strong and fruitful!
The newly weds then exit the grove/temple through the crowd as each witness touches them in blessing.

Components and tools

Handfastings have few components:

both participants wear white and are barefoot

six cords, either linen or silk, in blue, grey, green, red, yellow, and white

representation of each element

     -bowl of earth      -bowl of water      -string of small bells (air)      -3 candles, one white one, one in a color that represents each of the betrothed's personal Guardian

Participants

The Priest and Priestess officiate the handfasting
The betrothed couple
The parents (or parental stand-ins) of the couple
A government witness, usually the mayor or sheriff, but the Temple Representative/Leader of the Temple may also count as a witness.
Audience of friends and family members of the couple.

Observance

Handfastings are typically done in the spring and early summer for the warm, clear weather that bodes well for the couple.

Primary Related Location

Eirena