Imperial Marriage
Tradition
1. The Vows: General and Certain Vows
Couples in Vontia have two options for vows during their ceremony: General Vows and Certain Vows.- General Vows: Common and formal, these vows are typically used by nobility. They focus on mutual respect and commitment but do not involve divine attention.
- Certain Vows: These are personal, written by each partner, and spoken during the ceremony. Invoking Ahtasia's blessing through Certain Vows comes with both power and risk. If the vows are broken, it is believed to bring misfortune, causing many to avoid them unless they are fully committed.
2. Ceremony Location
Choosing the right location is an essential part of a Vontian wedding. Couples must get married in a place familiar to both.- Marrying in an unfamiliar place is seen as a bad omen. Most couples choose places they have visited together, like taverns, churches, or homes.
- In the week before the wedding, couples often visit the place where they will marry to ensure it is considered "familiar."
3. Honeymoons: For Certain Vows
Honeymoons in Vontia are not common unless a couple has made Certain Vows.- Couples who make Certain Vows are expected to spend time alone, focusing on their bond. This could involve travel or simply spending more intimate time together at home.
- Skipping this period after Certain Vows is seen as a bad sign for the marriage’s future.
4. Inviting Guests
A unique part of Vontian weddings is the need to invite the person closest to the individual getting married.- This could be a friend, sibling, parent, or even a former lover. The invitation shows that the couple has nothing to hide and seeks approval, even if it is never spoken.
- Not inviting the closest person is seen as suspicious and can bring doubt about the sincerity of the union.
5. The Ceremony
Most parts of the wedding ceremony are flexible, with the main elements being the vows, location, and guest invitations.- Couples can choose to have a banquet, a simple gathering, or just a quick exchange of vows. It depends entirely on their preferences.
- When Certain Vows are made, an offering to Ahtasia must be given. This can be anything of value, such as food, jewelry, or heirlooms.
- A rare but powerful offering is a drop of blood from someone the person once loved. This symbolizes letting go of past attachments and devotion to the new union.
- Sex before or after the wedding day (but not on it) is considered bad luck.
Execution
1. Consecration of the Venue
If a member of the Holy Synod is officiating, and Certain Vows are involved, the venue must first be consecrated. This ritual honors Ahtasia and ensures the space is prepared for the divine blessing. Skipping consecration is seen as disrespectful and could bring ill fortune.2. Guest Seating
Guests are seated before the arrival of the bride and groom. The seating arrangement varies depending on the type of vows:- General Vows: Seating is flexible, based on the couple's preference.
- Certain Vows: Guests are seated from front to back based on their relationship to the bride or groom. The closest sit at the front.
3. Introduction
The officiator introduces the couple and announces the last name they will take. In Vontia, couples can choose a new last name, especially common when knights marry and rename their lineage after a newly acquired territory.4. Pre-Approach: Companions' Procession
The companions—those closest to the bride and groom—approach from opposite sides: the bride's companion from the left and the groom's companion from the right. They meet in the middle, pass one another, and stand opposite their respective partners, symbolizing the crossing of paths. The bride's companion stands on the right, and the groom's companion on the left.5. The Approach: Bride and Groom
The bride enters from the left and the groom from the right. They meet in the center holding their marriage jewelry, which can range from rings to necklaces or bracelets. Using unconventional jewelry, like anklets, may require careful planning to avoid complications during the brief two- to four-minute approach.6. The Exchange of Vows
The couple exchanges their vows, either General or Certain:- General Vows: The officiator asks a series of region-specific questions, which the couple must answer with "Yes." These questions vary by region, with the Bherian General Vows being most common.
- Certain Vows: The couple exchanges personal vows, kept secret until the ceremony. The companions look down, the officiator looks straight ahead, and guests remain silent during this deeply personal moment. Any disruptions are considered a bad omen.
7. Post-Vows Ritual
After the vows, the couple symbolizes their union. While a kiss is common, this gesture is flexible and can include anything meaningful to the couple.7.1 Offering to the Altar
If Certain Vows are being used, there is an additional step involving an offering at the altar, which is located at the start of the walkway where guests enter and take their seats on either side.- The couple is expected to present offerings to the altar, which can vary in nature. Offerings are flexible and range from symbolic items to more personal gestures.
- If the blood of a past lover is being used, that person is seated in the last row, on either side of the altar, and stands to be pricked. A clergy member officiates the act, and the blood is dripped over cloths or white flowers at the altar.
- While only one offering is required, it is considered ideal to have former lovers from both sides if they exist. If only one lover is present or exists, a single offering suffices.
- In the absence of a blood offering, the couple can place as many or as few alternative offerings as they desire, with flexibility in what they choose to present.
8. Conclusion of the Ceremony
Once the vows are complete, the guests stand, and the ceremony ends. The couple may follow with planned festivities, such as a banquet or celebration, though they are free to end the event at this point if desired.Bherian General Vows
- Do you pledge to stand as an equal, neither above nor below your partner, sharing all responsibilities?
- Do you vow to protect your partner from harm, both seen and unseen, and to ensure their safety in all things?
- Will you strive to uphold the balance of your union, sharing in both burdens and joys with fairness and integrity?
- Do you promise to maintain peace in your home, ensuring that your partnership fosters stability and strength?
- Will you respect your partner’s choices, offering counsel and support without imposing your own will?
- Do you vow to remain committed to the promises made here today, in the presence of family, community, and the world?
- Will you offer your hand in times of hardship and your voice in times of uncertainty, always seeking to uplift your partner?
- Do you pledge to uphold the welfare of your partner above all, ensuring their well-being, physically, mentally, and spiritually?
- Will you stand as your partner’s shield, defending their reputation and honoring their place beside you in all endeavors?
- Do you promise to safeguard the trust placed in this bond, treating it as the most sacred of all, above all other ties?
Participants
Essential Roles
- Officiator: The individual who conducts the ceremony. They ensure that all vows and rituals are performed correctly, especially in the case of Certain Vows.
- Bride & Groom: The central figures of the ceremony, exchanging vows and offering their marriage jewelry.
- Companions: The closest individuals to the bride and groom. They lead the pre-approach and stand opposite their partner during the ceremony. They may also assist with rings, jewelry, or offerings.
- Guests: Attendees who witness the union. Seating is arranged based on their relationship to the couple, especially when Certain Vows are involved.
Additional Roles (Optional)
- Clergy Member: Needed if blood offerings are part of the ritual. The clergy member officiates the blood ceremony, ensuring it is performed reverently and correctly. They may also be the officiator if they have a clergy background.
- Altar Bearers: Assist with arranging and presenting offerings at the altar, especially when the couple is offering multiple items or complex gifts.
- Musicians: Provide traditional music during the procession, approach, or key moments of the ceremony. Music can be used to symbolize unity or divine favor.
- Witnesses: Formal observers responsible for recording the marriage for legal or religious purposes. They may sign official documents on behalf of the couple after the ceremony.
- Elders: Family elders may offer blessings or speeches, representing family traditions and lineage in the marriage ceremony.
- Children of the Couple: In cases of re-marriage or noble marriages, children from previous relationships may stand with the companions or fufill that role entirely.
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