Marriage in Aelyria

Marriages in the Aelyrian Empire and many and varied. This is generally taken into account that there are currently over fifteen entirely different races, not including sub-races, that have graced the Empire's past and some still continue to do so through to the present. Each has it's own varying customs and ideals, but it is the marriages undertaken in the name of Ioannes and the Sacred Three that this document presented wishes to enlighten upon. It is in these marriages that Ioannes' three virtues are held foremost before all other concepts. Law, Order and Justice, and thus this tri system continues to this day in varying degrees when viewed in regard to the ceremony of Marriage. However, marriages undertaken solely by a member of a cult or order of Ioannes are known to be sometimes unhappy which is why this document also includes those of Aslan, Diana and Carmelya. Little focus however is being placed upon these as to do so would take up unnecessary parchment.

The Role of Law, Order and Justice

The three virtues are paramount. It is generally accepted that what one partner owns, so too will the other once the marriage have been performed. Without equality in the household, justice does not exist and so do the future generations become corrupted and order is lost. What one does, the other can and has in the past been held accounted for. (cf. Proclamation VIII ~ Iustitia, Article's 154, 156). Marriages because of this are as much a legal agreement it is unfortunate to say as much as a holy one. This is only one simple example of why the three virtues are to be upheld. It has been also noted in the past for priests to intercede upon couples however, especially if the marriage was one not approved of by the parish or both parties of the charged family.

Courtship

Ioannes' blessing may be given at the age of eighteen patterns of age for female and male parties. This however is only a formality and the pair would be considered engaged to one another until they were of age. Depending upon the racial stock from which one derives, the currently acceptable age is sixteen though this may vary from parish to parish. It is the simple things in life that make Ioannes' Light worthwhile and so too is the Courtship process. The first gift it usually a white rose in bloom, a sign of hope, should it have started to wilt it is considered a bad sign in itself and is usually met with disfavour by the young lady. (Rarely do women initiate the first steps in the Courtship but it has been known to happen as several surprised young men have found in the past).

Ioannolius Flowers are often used in favour of the rose by couples, if fortunate to come across the flower though the precise reasoning behind why this flower is considered a blessing has been lost. Only if she allows the male courting her to place the flower behind her ears does this usually continue. There are many variations of the exchanging of the flowers, in some sections of the Aelyrian Empire such as the Old Prime, tattoos of the flowers are exchanged, this however is frowned upon by the Church of Ioannes as it is self mutilation without a cause.

The pair at this time should then both consult with family members and the local Priest about how this is to continue. There are times when a father or/and mother looks upon the suitor with disfavour so checking with the parents before offering the young lady her first serious gift is considered quite wise as Order can be compromised and in some serious cases, as can Law.

Once met with approval, the pair are now betrothed to one another and usually stay in that current state until at least an Era are spent together though longer is preferred as a hasty choice can upset order in later life. Sexual activities between the pair are a choice that are only made between the two, no child in the Empire should be raised without both parents and because of this, while the Priesthood frowns upon this before the Marriage ceremony takes place, they understand there is very little that can be done about it. The two up until the marriage itself are now bound to one another under Ioannes's Light, and until a time should come when the actual ceremony takes place, or should they separate for varying reasons then the Courtship in truth does continue while they shall remain so.

Aslan has very little to do in these parts of the marriage process though vows to him to uphold each other’s honour are commonplace. Diana is often a patron; a blessing from one of her priests/priestesses is acquired with little difficulty. Carmelya as the god of fertility is often remarked upon, in city and countryside alike as all want the knowledge that their families lineage to continue and prayers are believed to grant the blessing of fertility upon the couple, in both life and in the bedroom.

The Ceremony

Planning

Once the couple have decided to confirm their love in a formal union the planning must begin. This has been known to take between years and only brightenings, as there will always be the hasty and the procrastinators in society. Once, patterns ago it was custom for the Bride's father to pay for the weddings expenses until the infamous 'Athel v. Withstien Trial in Post Fractum 1. Now costs are split between both families for the sake of keeping both Order maintained and Law upheld.

Ceremonies usually take place indoors of the local church though as some races for obvious reasons, Giants being a notable one, ceremonies can be held outdoors. Indeed, quite a few priests and couples prefer this because it not only means the pair are wed under Ioannes' Light, it also means little mess being created inside the church itself. Catering is usually organised by the mothers of the couple and venue, church and such by the fathers.

NB: While in a lot of quarters in the Aelyrian Empire couples go their separate ways for a single night before the ceremony itself, this is something the Church is known to not endorse.

The Ceremony

Always, the ceremony is designed to coincide with Midday though in busier cities this is usually ignored. Music plays an important part in this ceremony, usually a Bard will be called in to play for the couple in their union. Richer couples may even aquire one of the more arcanely attuned Bards to play for them. Entire orchestras are usually considered overly ornate, but have been known to be used in aristocratic and imperial weddings.

Groom and Priest stay at the front for the beginning of the ceremony itself. Family mix together, only a thin strip down the center will usually lie vacant for which the Bride and her father walk down the isle together before she steps forwards next to her soon to be husband. Bridesmaids, Best men and Ushers are usually non-existent except in more elaborate weddings. As the Bride walks down the isle, a flower girl will usually go before her, accompanied by the ring bearer, a young boy usually. The petals cast before the Bride are Candarose and Ioannolius petals, these are provided by the Church of Ioannes and Diana itself and as the Bride walks over them the petals change determining her feelings about the matter. It is a sad occasion when petals turn black though one of joy when white is shown. Other colours have meanings as well though red has been debated for countless eras as to whether it is a sign of prosperity of misfortune.

Vows

These are interchangeable and often written by the couple themselves beforehand. One such set of vows written by the Church of Ioannes is the following:

"I, (name - Groom), take you, (name - Bride), to be my wedded wife. With deepest joy I receive you into my life that together we may be one. As is Ioannes to His faith, the Church, so I will be to you a loving and faithful husband. Always will I perform my service unto you even as Ioannes does over me, knowing that His Lordship is one of the holiest desires for my life. I promise you my deepest love, my fullest devotion, my tenderest care. I promise I will live first unto Him rather than others or even you. I promise that I will lead our lives into a life of faith and hope in Diana. Ever honouring Ioannes's guidance by His spirit through the Word, And so throughout life, no matter what may lie ahead of us, I pledge to you my life as a loving and faithful husband until death do us part."

"I, (name - Bride), take you, (name - Groom), to be my wedded husband. With deepest joy I come into my new life with you. As you have pledged to me your life and love, so I too happily give you my life, and in confidence place myself to your tender care as to the Lord as you do unto me. As is the church in her relationship to Ioannes, so I will be to you. (Name - Groom), I will live first unto our faith and then unto you, loving you, caring for you and ever seeking to please you as you shall do to me. The Sacred Three has prepared me for you and so I will ever strengthen, help, comfort, and encourage you. Therefore, throughout life, no matter what may be ahead of us, I pledge to you my life as faithful and loving wife until death do us part."

A more common vow undertaken by the pair is recited in unison. There are no known documented writings approved by the Church of Faith however and as such, all are individual and related only to the couple undertaking the marriage ceremony themselves. Other versions of vows have a great deal of variation, and some do not even remotely resemble the more religious passage above.

Conclusion of Ceremony

Once vows have been spoken, the Priest himself will bless both members of the union and give them the go ahead to kiss for the first time in their marriage. A strange phenomenon of some marriages is that light descends upon the alter itself from above, as if through the blessing of Ioannes, or whatever other patron God may preside. This is strange because while this is a sure-fire thing for marriages undertaken to coincide with midday, it still happens when done at any other time during the day.