Aberian Marriage Ceremony

Abians pride themselves on their beautiful outdoor ceremonies. The mothers are very honored guests as they "officiate" the marriage. The rope used to bond the couple together is crafted with fibers from the two families, carefully twisted together, then officially tied at the wedding. These ceremonies last the entire day, full of festivities and feasting. Lastly of note, the wife's name is the persistent surname.

History

These ceremonies used to be held indoors. Before Aberian culture split in several ways becoming wandering nomads, Aberians often held these in churches. After the start of the wandering and the buildings ruins, these began to take place in tents and outdoors. This is also the time that the couples were expected to travel a full lunar cycle together outside of the nomad tribe.

Execution

Traditionally, crowns made of flowers and branches are worn by the bride and groom. At the exchanging of vows, the bride and groom's hands are wrapped in rope by their respective mothers, bonding them together. This remains in place until after their first dance together at which point they slip the rope off in such a way it is tied in a knot. This is held as a special keepsake for the couple until death. Aberians do not exchange rings. During the ceremony, the bride and groom have a jar that they fill with the well wishes of their family and friends, before smashing them on the ground. This is to "free" the wishes so they may come true. Even deeper meaning holds some may be broken, lost and sacrificed for these wishes to come to be. It falls to groom's family to hunt and prepare an animal for the feast. As tradition holds, the animal of choice represents the marriage's future. A bear for example would speak to a future close knit family, holding together to survive. After the wedding feast, the couple travels for one full lunar cycle. Seeds are thrown as the couple leaves. This symbolizes new life and many children.