11-13-2021, 09:53 PM
Palace of Flowers
October 22nd
While Xiomera was a country where tradition was revered, it was also a country where people weren’t afraid to alter traditional practice as needed. The traditional wedding practice in Xiomera, therefore, would be altered for the wedding of Empress Calhualyana in a few ways.
In a traditional Xiomeran wedding, the ceremony took place at the home of the groom’s parents. This was a tradition that had already been altered before, as Xiomeran women achieved an equal status to that of men. Weddings of the traditional sort were now held at the home of either the groom’s or bride’s parents, depending on who had the interest, bigger home, or resources to do so. In a traditional Xiomeran wedding, the groom’s family would also send an ah atanzah (a professional matchmaker) to propose the marriage to the bride’s parents. This was a tradition that the modernization of Xiomeran society had also altered; now either side’s parents could send the matchmaker to make the formal proposal. Given the superior social status of the Empress, it had been deemed only reasonable and fair that the proposal be sent by her parents. The acceptance by Xiyāōtl’s parents was a mere formality in any case; they weren’t about to turn down the chance to have their son become the second most powerful person in Xiomera.
There was also one other change to accommodate both tradition, and the message Calhualyana wanted to send with her wedding. Instead of the events taking place at either set of parents’ homes, it would happen at her place.
—-
Throughout Tlālacuetztla, and in every other city in the Empire, the streets were lined with Imperial flags and banners touting the royal wedding. It was shaping up to be a major national celebration. The traditional Xiomeran wedding was a four-day event, with the wedding itself taking place on the first day. This was followed by days of feasting and celebration. As such, it was essentially a four day holiday throughout the Empire.
At the Palace, the largest gathering space had been prepared for the ceremony. The audience in the hall consisted of foreign and domestic guests, as well as important Imperial officials and business figures. The greater audience, however, consisted of whoever had access to a television or the internet, as the event was being broadcast and streamed live. Those watching would see a grand space, decorated with gold leaf and precious jewels. Works of art lined the walls; one wall held floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto one of the great flower gardens of the Palace.
At the front of the hall, a small fire had been lit, representing the fire normally lit in the hearth at the beginning of the wedding ceremony. Incense was brought to the hearth and ceremonially burned as an offering to the Xiomeran gods, as priests chanted and looked on.
Once that offering was completed, Xiyāōtl would be led in first by his parents. Instead of his naval uniform, he would be wearing a master-crafted traditional Xiomeran robe, made of the finest cloth and silks and jewels woven into it. A golden medallion of the sun hung around his neck on a gold chain. He walked to take his place at the front of the hall.
Not long after that, the Empress would be led in by her parents. Calhualyana wore a long robe with the bottom end tailored into a skirt. Her featherwork crown shone in the light of the hall as she walked to the front. Her arms were decorated with red feathers; a red face paint with shimmering crystals shone on her features.
With a smile, Calhualyana stood at her place in front. At a word from the high priest, both of them sat down on a set of mats in front of the hearth. As the priests continued chanting in Huenyan, the bride was presented with a set of clothes from the groom’s parents; the groom received a set of clothes from the bride’s parents. At another word from the high priest, Calhualyana and Xiyāōtl stood up. The high priest ceremonially tied his cloak to her skirt, formally completing the bond of marriage.
As the crowd cheered and applauded, Xiyāōtl and Calhualyana walked down the aisle together, hands clasped as a married couple for the first time. A grand reception for their family and guests awaited them, the kickoff to the days of celebration which would follow.
October 22nd
While Xiomera was a country where tradition was revered, it was also a country where people weren’t afraid to alter traditional practice as needed. The traditional wedding practice in Xiomera, therefore, would be altered for the wedding of Empress Calhualyana in a few ways.
In a traditional Xiomeran wedding, the ceremony took place at the home of the groom’s parents. This was a tradition that had already been altered before, as Xiomeran women achieved an equal status to that of men. Weddings of the traditional sort were now held at the home of either the groom’s or bride’s parents, depending on who had the interest, bigger home, or resources to do so. In a traditional Xiomeran wedding, the groom’s family would also send an ah atanzah (a professional matchmaker) to propose the marriage to the bride’s parents. This was a tradition that the modernization of Xiomeran society had also altered; now either side’s parents could send the matchmaker to make the formal proposal. Given the superior social status of the Empress, it had been deemed only reasonable and fair that the proposal be sent by her parents. The acceptance by Xiyāōtl’s parents was a mere formality in any case; they weren’t about to turn down the chance to have their son become the second most powerful person in Xiomera.
There was also one other change to accommodate both tradition, and the message Calhualyana wanted to send with her wedding. Instead of the events taking place at either set of parents’ homes, it would happen at her place.
—-
Throughout Tlālacuetztla, and in every other city in the Empire, the streets were lined with Imperial flags and banners touting the royal wedding. It was shaping up to be a major national celebration. The traditional Xiomeran wedding was a four-day event, with the wedding itself taking place on the first day. This was followed by days of feasting and celebration. As such, it was essentially a four day holiday throughout the Empire.
At the Palace, the largest gathering space had been prepared for the ceremony. The audience in the hall consisted of foreign and domestic guests, as well as important Imperial officials and business figures. The greater audience, however, consisted of whoever had access to a television or the internet, as the event was being broadcast and streamed live. Those watching would see a grand space, decorated with gold leaf and precious jewels. Works of art lined the walls; one wall held floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto one of the great flower gardens of the Palace.
At the front of the hall, a small fire had been lit, representing the fire normally lit in the hearth at the beginning of the wedding ceremony. Incense was brought to the hearth and ceremonially burned as an offering to the Xiomeran gods, as priests chanted and looked on.
Once that offering was completed, Xiyāōtl would be led in first by his parents. Instead of his naval uniform, he would be wearing a master-crafted traditional Xiomeran robe, made of the finest cloth and silks and jewels woven into it. A golden medallion of the sun hung around his neck on a gold chain. He walked to take his place at the front of the hall.
Not long after that, the Empress would be led in by her parents. Calhualyana wore a long robe with the bottom end tailored into a skirt. Her featherwork crown shone in the light of the hall as she walked to the front. Her arms were decorated with red feathers; a red face paint with shimmering crystals shone on her features.
With a smile, Calhualyana stood at her place in front. At a word from the high priest, both of them sat down on a set of mats in front of the hearth. As the priests continued chanting in Huenyan, the bride was presented with a set of clothes from the groom’s parents; the groom received a set of clothes from the bride’s parents. At another word from the high priest, Calhualyana and Xiyāōtl stood up. The high priest ceremonially tied his cloak to her skirt, formally completing the bond of marriage.
As the crowd cheered and applauded, Xiyāōtl and Calhualyana walked down the aisle together, hands clasped as a married couple for the first time. A grand reception for their family and guests awaited them, the kickoff to the days of celebration which would follow.
<t></t>