========================================== Wedding Ceremony Procedures ========================================== Etiquette ------------------ A wedding is a sacred event and should be observed with the utmost respect. Thus, during our ceremonies, it is important for all involved to conduct themselves in the appropriate manner. If the behavior of the participants and/or guests is deemed improper or disruptive, we reserve the right to cancel the ceremony. Please help us to create a joyous and memorable occasion for the bride and groom by ensuring that everyone obeys this simple etiquette: - Do not be late - Do not move around needlessly during the ceremony. - Do not bring monsters to the wedding site, and then release them. - Refrain from casting spells, synthesizing, or using unnecessary items until the ceremony is over. - Refrain from unnecessary chatting once the ceremony begins, including excessive emotes. - Do not engage in battle. - Maintain a reasonable standard of decency during the ceremony. - Do not engage in any other activities that might disrupt the ceremony. It is the responsibility of the chaperones to inform all attendees of the above etiquette, but they are free to do so in their own words, if they wish. It may be a good idea to recruit helpers and ushers who can direct and caution the attendees upon arrival, or shortly before the ceremony begins. Preparations ------------ (1) Attire The only specific restrictions in regards to attire are for weapons and headgear. Helmets, masks, visors, faceguards and heavy items should not be worn. Hats, cloaks, circlets, eyeglasses and the like are acceptable. If your wedding is indoors (Inside the Count's Manor or Jeuno), please ask guests to remove their hats. It is recommended that one dress in a manner befitting a sacred occasion. This request extends not only to the bride, groom, and chaperone, but to all those who plan to attend the ceremony. The bride, groom, and chaperone should discuss this matter beforehand in order to establish a general guideline, which in turn should be passed on to all attendees. As an optional service, a complete wedding dress set will be provided for the bride, if one was requested in the initial wedding application. The dress will be given to the bride during arrangements for the ceremony. If it was not requested on the original application, but you'd like to request it on the wedding day, bring the extra 50,000g fee. (2) Weapons We ask that the bride, groom, and chaperone, leave their weapons equipped during the ceremony. Guests are welcome to do the same. (3) Wedding Fees If the wedding ceremony fees cannot be paid on the wedding date, the ceremony will be canceled. (Players will have to reapply if they wish to hold another ceremony.) If a wedding dress set was requested in the application, please do not forget to bring the 50,000-gil fee to the ceremony. All fees will be collected from the chaperone when meeting the WM 60 minutes beforehand. The WM will ask the chaperone to initiate a trade. Arrangements ------------ The Groom, Bride, and chaperone should arrive at the wedding site 60 minutes (Earth time) before the ceremony is to begin. This is when arrangements such as the wedding procession and script are confirmed, so please ask all other attendees to refrain from entering the wedding site until all arrangements have been confirmed (we are not responsible for this issue. If you have recruited friends to be ushers, please ask them to help you inform the guests as to when they can enter the wedding site). Since a rehearsal will be held with the Wedding Master, it can be distracting to have guests waiting within earshot of /say. La Theine Plateau --------------------- Groom, Bride and chaperone can go to the desired site in the corner of (I-9) Guests must meet and wait at the Crag of Holla This location allows for up to 40 attendees including the Groom, Bride and Chaperone. Fees will be 240,000g plus an additional 50,000g if the bridal set is desired. The bride, groom, and chaperone must proceed directly to the wedding site, where they will be asked to confirm some information. At this time, the chaperone must pay all wedding fees to the Temple Knight when requested. The couple will then be given the wedding rings, and the chaperone will be given the crackers, which must be distributed to the guests after practice. The bride's wedding dress set, if requested, will be placed in her inventory. She may not equip the items until practice is complete. After all arrangements have been made and confirmed, the bride, groom, and chaperone will review the procedures and script with the Wedding Master. *Although all information is reviewed with the WM, the groom, bride and chaperone must review it together in-game at least 3 days before the ceremony. *Both the bride and groom must keep at least one inventory space open to hold the wedding ring. The chaperone must reserve one inventory space to hold the crackers. * If a bridal set was requested in the application, the bride will need 4 empty inventory spaces to hold the entire set. If the set was not requested on the application, but you'd like it anyway, please bring the 50,000g fee to the ceremony, and inform the WM when your preferences are confirmed. If the Bride has Opaline or Ceremonial gear, she MUST NOT equip these items until the guests are seated. Ceremony Commencement --------------------- PLEASE NOTE: The groom and bride should decide whether they would like to use macros for their lines, or if they'd rather type them out. If they want to use macros, they should have them set PRIOR to meeting with the Wedding Master. When practice is over, the Temple Knight will ask the chaperone to greet the guests, distribute crackers and go over the rules. When they have been escorted to the wedding site and seated, the chaperone will get in place with the bride. When the ceremony officially begins, the Temple Knight will sound a wedding bell and say a bit to the guests. Next, the Temple Knight will announce the commencement of the ceremony and ask the bride and groom to enter: Temple Knight: Will the groom and the bride approach. From the vantage point of the wedding procession, the bride must be on the left, and the groom on the right. The chaperone must walk slightly behind and to the left of the bride, as an escort. The Groom will begin walking first, and the Bride with the chaperone a bit later. The Temple Knight will review this during practice. When the couple reaches the altar, the chaperone must /bow to the bride, move to join the first row of guests and be seated. Once the wedding procession has concluded, the Temple Knight will speak. Temple Knight: We now begin the wedding of [新郎] and [新婦]. Temple Knight: In time immemorial, the Goddess Altana wept tears of benevolence upon the land, and from those tears we were born. Temple Knight: Then the Goddess bade us to love one another. It is our creed, and our mission, Temple Knight: For only love can restore Vana'diel to her former beauty. Temple Knight: Yet it is not a mission we need take on alone. Temple Knight: Many are the travelers that have chosen to leave these gates in honor as not one, but two: husband and wife. Temple Knight: Today (Tonight), these two before us have heard the word of the Goddess in their hearts. Temple Knight: They are brave, for this is the first step of a long journey. The bride and groom will then be asked to face each other. Temple Knight: Face each other. The couple must then turn (in place using first person view) to face each other. The Temple Knight will then lead the couple in their wedding vows. The groom will be addressed first. Temple Knight: [新郎], do you take this woman as your sacred wife, to love for all eternity and never betray, Temple Knight: even should your blade be sundered, and your quiver emptied? Here, the groom must reply [新郎]: On my honor, I do. The bride will be addressed next. Temple Knight: [新婦], do you take this man as your sacred husband, to love for all eternity and never betray, Temple Knight: even should your blade be sundered, and your quiver emptied? Bride must also reply [新婦]: On my honor, I do. Now, the groom will be addressed again. The Temple Knight will lead them in their repeat-after-me wedding vows. The Groom vows to serve the bride, being at her side like her weapon of choice, and vice versa. For this reason, they must not change weapon types from those indicated on the application. If a change is desired, please notify the WM in advance. The groom must repeat after the Temple Knight, one row at a time. (Note: Please be sure to repeat the words AFTER the Temple Knight has recited them. There have been cases where the Temple Knight was overtaken, so please be careful and patient.) I will be [新婦]'s sword. I will be at [新婦]'s side, defending her from harm's edge, and repelling her foes, always. The Groom will repeat after the Temple Knight, one line at a time during the ceremony as follows: Temple Knight: I will be [新婦]'s sword. Groom: I will be [新婦]'s sword. Temple Knight: I will be at [新婦]'s side, Groom: I will be at [新婦]'s side, Temple Knight: defending her from harm's edge, Groom: defending her from harm's edge, Temple Knight: and repelling her foes, always. Groom: and repelling her foes, always. (The vow will differ according the bride's weapon. For this reason, the bride must refrain from changing weapons until the ceremony is over. The equipped weapon must be the one declared in the application. The same applies to the groom.) The bride will be addressed next. The bride must repeat after the Temple Knight, one row at a time as outlined in the groom's section. I will be [新郎]'s spear. I will be at [新郎]'s side, delivering a thrust sworn by sacred oath, turning what evil may approach, always. Next is the exchange of rings. Note that the rings are EX and no actual trade will be taking place. Temple Knight: Good. Now, face me and take these rings. Here, the bride and groom must turn (in place, using 1st person view) to face the Temple Knight. Temple Knight: The ring has no beginning, nor end; it is the shape of eternity. Temple Knight: Know this: By exchanging these rings, you tie a bond that will last til your dying days. Temple Knight: Now, give them to one another. Here, the couple will face each other (turn in place using 1st person view) and equip the rings in to their left ring slot (it is R1). Once they have equipped the rings, they will face the Temple Knight again. The Temple Knight will then ask: Temple Knight: Have you exchanged the rings? The bride and groom must reply "Yes." Groom: Yes. Bride: Yes. The Temple Knight will then continue. Temple Knight: Good. Wear them always, so you may never forget the promises made today. Temple Knight: As long as you wear them, they shall hold you together, protecting you and your sacred bond. After the exchange of rings, "The Voice of the Heart" starts. This is the section for the kiss! The Temple Knight will speak first. Temple Knight: The heart can speak without words. Temple Knight: Face each other, and hear the voice of your hearts. Here, the couple must face each other (turning using 1st person view), each taking a step forward. They should target each other and use something like /em kisses [新婦] and /em kisses [新郎] The Temple Knight will then make the pronouncement while they are facing each other. Temple Knight: By the power vested in me by the Church of San d'Oria, Temple Knight: I hereby pronounce [新郎] and [新婦] as husband and wife. Temple Knight: May the glory and fortunes of war be with you. When the Temple Knight says: Temple Knight: Now, bask yourselves in the warm blessings of the other adventurers. The groom and bride must then turn to face the guests. The guests should offer their blessings to the newlyweds by clapping their hands and using the crackers. The chaperone can lead the guests in standing and using the crackers. The Temple Knight will wait until the applause dies down, and then give the signal for the couple to exit. Temple Knight: Now, go forth. Your journey lies before you. The bride and groom should then exit the wedding site slowly. Once the couple has exited, the Temple Knight will disappear. The ceremony officially ends here. *If the bride and/or groom appear to be having difficulty recollecting the procedure at any point during the ceremony, a party message will be sent to them with the appropriate instructions. It is our sincere hope that this wedding will prove to be a memorable and joyous occasion. We look forward to seeing you. Coureaunne Papace Temple Knight ==================================