Tsarist Wedding Ceremonies

A simple wedding in itself is one of the more beautiful moments that someone can be a part of. It is, after all, the binding of two souls together. The Tsarist court takes this and amplifies it to the rightful imperial grandeur it deserves. And I think that it is wonderful. Alexis Aksynov, oldest daughter of the current Tsar

History

The ceremonies have their origins from very old marriage rites that developed during the XIV-XV century on Oktavgradian soil. Originally they took place outdoors and were based around the idea of a wedding bonfire that would be lit by the groom and bride using a torch that would bear their names. After the strengthening of eternalist beliefs in the area during the XIX century, the ceremonies moved indoors, to the most prestigious church in the realm - the current Archcathedral of Oktavgrad. Since it was impossible to uphold the tradition in its previous form, as it was not feasible to light a bonfire inside the temple, a new way was developed to upkeep the rites at least in some form. The bonfire transformed into a sky lantern which would be lit using a piece of cloth with the names embroiled on it. Since then, not much has changed besides the addition of a parade-like procession through the city, where the newlyweds are for the first time presented to the public as officially married.

Execution

The Wedding Ceremony within the Archcathedral

The bride and groom enter the temple together, side by side and walk down the main nave to the altar under the main dome in the middle. It's then that before they reach it the White Guard swears its allegiance and future devotion to the protection of the future husband and wife. The guardsmen do so by forming a "roof" from their blades under which the couple stands and speaking their oaths for this occasion. Afterwards, they follow the two to the altar and stop at the three steps that lead up to it. By the altar waits the patriarch, who continues the ceremony. He then takes the vows of loyalty from the bride and groom and hands them the sky lantern and the cloth with their names.
It is now that they both light it and sent it afloat. As the lantern escapes the temple through a special vent in the dome, the two are officially proclaimed husband and wife by the patriarch. They are then congratulated by the highest figures present - the Tsar and the Kaiser, their respective wives and children, the members of the Supreme Command and the Overseer Administration and any other royal heads present. This part of the ceremony concludes with the couple leaving the cathedral under the escort of the White Guard, alongside everyone that was present there. Outside waits the procession composed of the Oktavgradian guard regiments and many important but lesser officials.

Procession through Oktavgrad

The procession is the most joyful part of the ceremony, as it invites all citizens of Oktavgrad to celebrate the occasion. Music and regional dances accompany the colourful soldiers who lead the married couple. The procession goes from the Archcathedral to the Tsarist Palace, making its way all around the city on its way. It ends at the gates of the palace perimeter, where the crowds bid the couple farewell and wish them a happy first day of being husband and wife.

Participants

To be invited to the ceremony within the Archcathedral is one of the highest honours one can have bestowed upon him. It is a literal invitation to the closest court circles of the Tsar. Stanislav Prazdnikov, Tsarist Generalfieldmarshall

The ceremony that takes place inside the Archcathedral is a strictly closed event where only the Tsarist and other royal families, alongside the most prestigious members of the whole tsarist society, can be present to witness it.

I had the luck to once watch a wedding procession. Trust me, it's good I've always stayed up there on the rooftops since that day it seemed like the whole city of Oktavgrad, every single citizen, decided to watch it. Paradox recalling a memory of the procession

The procession is the public element of the whole ceremony and thus it is even encouraged that all who can come to see it. For this sake, the day of the wedding is deemed a holiday in Oktavgrad and thus all can come and watch the parade that accompanies the newlyweds.

Observance

Weddings of the members of the Tsarist royal family are usually scheduled with accordance to the weather. The ideal one is where there is but a slight breeze that could gently carry the lampoon in the air. Besides, there are no other conditions to be met.

The fate of the wedding sky lantern

It is interesting to note what happens to the sky lantern after it is sent afloat. After it is used the lantern loses its sanctity and thus there is usually little care given to it by the couple. There always is a gendarmerie party sent out with the mission to retrieve it, but how hard they try is mostly dependant whether the newlyweds want it as a memento of this day. Despite all this, the lantern is still of great collector value and tends to sell for very high prices. That is why as it flies over the city, many follow it in hopes of getting it for themselves. This is often humoristically called "the lantern race".

Symbolism of colour

The colouristic of the clothing of the bride and groom is mostly one of two colours - dark blue or light teal. This is because dark blue (alongside dark red and white - which both have their own additional aspects) is considered to be a royal colour. As for teal, it represents a new beginning and peace (through its association with the legendary bird "iremia"). White is also used, but more for small accents and accessories as it signifies a general high position, even in the military, which plays against the innocence of the whole ceremony.

Ah, there are but a few occasions that the city of Oktavgrad, usually so meticulously ordered and behaved, becomes so wild and overjoyed! Most vibrant colours of all shades and hues ooze from the windows and the crowd itself. And all that in the name of two loving souls! Ah, with such a splendid moment in mind, all I can wish for is that at least I'll have a wedding of my own at al! Pyotr Tkachyov, First Lieutenant to the Supreme Admiral of the Tsarist Areoflotta; and a young single

It's probably the quietest time in Oktavgrad when the ceremony inside the Archcathedral is happening, despite most of the population being out and about, waiting to watch the procession and celebrate the wedding alongside the newlyweds. But the moment the crowd outside the Archcathedral notices the sky lantern drifting above the main dome, everything comes to life. And in what a booming fashion - patriotic singing, cheering... It really is that crowd, the common people, that make the procession such a joyful event, through their honest show of happiness for the two souls connected by the mutual feeling of love. Sergei III, current Tsar