video | un: wwx

[diabolique]

(( Wei Wuxian's smiling face once again graces the screen (you're welcome!). He's obviously still happy about his upcoming marriage and it shows in the warm smile and the brightness in his dark eyes. ))

Tell me about wedding traditions from your world?

Comments

Video; UN: Songbird

[song_princess]

[As long as she wears the circlet, none shall see her new set of features. But this question! She loves this type of question and would eagerly tell and listen in to all!]

I haven't been to one yet but for my people, it usually happens in the Spring when Nature is at its strongest. But not only Nature but my people as well. The couple would usually sing to each other, both to initiate courtship but weddings as well.

[diabolique]

(( Wei Wuxian listens attentively (what a shock!), nodding along as she explains. Then he chuckles a little. ))

I don't think anyone would want to hear me sing. Lan Zhan, maybe.

[song_princess]

I am sure that your voice isn't bad, my lord.

[A small giggle.]

But perhaps you can play for your future mate?

[diabolique]

He does enjoy music! Lan Zhan is a much more skilled musician than me! He plays guqin. Are you familiar with that instrument?

[song_princess]

But you can still play and I am sure he would love to hear it. I fear I never heard of it. What does it sound like,

[diabolique]

It's a very calming instrument. It's a seven-stringed zither.

[song_princess]

Zither? It sounds beautiful. Perhaps you and your mate can play it together when you get married.

Text | un: Pantsonpyre

[localweirdo]

Oh? Any reason why?

[diabolique]

I'm going to be getting married.

[localweirdo]

How lovely! Then I need to set up a gift right away!

Tell me, who are the lovely couple so I can address it to them?

[diabolique]

It's me, Wei Wuxian, and Lan Wangji!

You should come to our wedding!

[localweirdo]

I'm already invited? Even though I just arrived here?

Now that's really nice of you! I can't say I'm an expert at weddings but shouldn't it be invited to people whom you're familiar with?

[diabolique]

I don't see anything wrong in sharing some happiness with strangers.

video

[bythewaves]

Well, that tends to depend on which kindred you are from, as I understand it! And even amongst my own folk, the traditions are quite varied from place to place, although the core of it remains the same.

[diabolique]

(( He bobs his head in a nod, pretty certain there are variations in his world, too. But he's curious, nonetheless. ))

Can you tell me some of them?

[bythewaves]

Amongst my folk, what makes a marriage is the Vows to the One, and the consummation. Everything other than that is entirely up to the folk involved. Traditionally, amongst the Noldor, of whom I hail, the betrothal lasts a year, with the exchange of silver rings, that will be switched for gold at the wedding. The wedding itself is a feast, where both houses exchange gifts - traditionally, the bride's mother gives the groom a jewel to wear, for example , and the vows are said and witnessed before the couple is sent off to accomplish the wedding. How elaborate said feast is, is entirely up to you. I have known those wed in war, who exchanged no more than kisses over watered wine before their friends, with no family left to stand with them and no time for anything more.

[diabolique]

(( Wei Wuxian nods, listening attentively. There are some similarities: promises made, the consummation, a feast. Wei Wuxian definitely wants a feast! He should talk to his sister and Jin Guangyao about that. ))

A year-long betrothal? I couldn't wait that long!

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor laughs at that ]

A year is not so long, to one of my folk. And of course, not everyone keeps to tradition.

[ Looking at you, mom & dad ]

But it's basically a cooling off period, as it were - a chance for the family and the couple to asses how certain they really are.

[diabolique]

I don't want to wait. I want to marry Lan Zhan on the soonest auspicious day!

Video; un: sterling sylva

[smilingarmor]

Oh? Any particular reason you're asking?

[Sylv clearly has his suspicions already, but wants to know if he's right.]

[diabolique]

I'm getting married!

(( And he's just radiant with happiness about it! ))

[smilingarmor]

Oh that's wonderful, darling! Congratulations!

[Yes, he suspected as much, but that doesn't make him one bit less excited.]

And who's the lucky person you're marrying, hmm?

[diabolique]

His name is Lan Wangji. Do you know him?

[smilingarmor]

Alas, I've never had the pleasure. Though if the two of you didn't mind me dropping off a gift in person on the big day, I could change that.

And speaking of which, to partly answer your original question, the gift I'd be bringing would be a dish served on special occasions like weddings where I'm from: paella. It's made with rice and shellfish cooked with saffron and other spices, and tastes just fabulous!

[diabolique]

That would be wonderful! The more the merrier!

(( And why not share a little bit of their happiness with strangers? Strangers are just friends they haven't met yet! ))

That sounds wonderful!