NationStates Jolt Archive

The long awaited marriage of Empress Aerona and Prince Edward Parker of Anglia had finally arrived. The Empress had spent three hours having her long black hair netted and arranged with diamonds and pearls. Her dress of pure white silk had been designed by Elizabeth Emanuel and was hanging in Aerona’s room. She stared at the dress, thinking that in a few short hours, she would be married to the man she loved.


Their Imperial Hignesses,
Prince Cystennin and Princess Gwenhwyvar,
invite you to the Wedding of Their Daughter,
Aerona Hefin Angharad Tiwlip Gwenhwyvar

To His Royal Higness,
Edward Parker, Prince of Anglia

On August 6th 2008, at the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul, Caerfrenin,
And Afterwards at the Imperial Palace of Caerfrenin

Her sister, Princess Catherine was to be bridesmaid. Catherine helped her sister on with the enormous dress and veil, holding the door open for Aerona to pass through. Aerona descended the Grand Staircase, to meet her father, Prince Cystennin. Taking his daughter by the arm, he walked through the Great Hall of the State Apartments, leading through to the inner Courtyard in the Palace, where a convoy of six cars was waiting. Former Emperor Llywelyn got into the first car, the bridesmaids and members of the Imperial Family climbed into the ones behind it. Aerona and her father were helped into a horse drawn carriage, and the procession moved off. Once through the Great Gate, the cars drove straight across Palace Square to the Basilica of Sts Peter and Paul, where the Imperial Family disembarked and moved into the Cathedral. Her Imperial Highness, Princess Gwenhwyvar, wife of Prince Cystennin, walked on the arm of her eldest son, Prince Caspar, up the aisle of the Basilica.

The carriage moved off from the courtyard, and turned right out of the gate. Joined by an escort of mounted Black Guards, they did a circuit of Palace Square before turning up at the front of the Basilica.

Cystennin helped his daughter out of the carriage, kissed her hand and took her on his arm. Entering the Basilica, the enormous organ rang out with Mendellsohn’s Wedding March. The congregation stood, turned around and gasped as they saw the bride slowly walking up the aisle. She looked every inch an Empress.

OOC: Is this open for guests and stuff?

OOC: I'll be posting as Ixania until it will let me log onto the forums as Anglia.

It had not been long since the Anglian people celebrated the marriage of their beloved Queen Charlette to a Lamonian commoner (aibeit controversial) but now they were celebrating the marriage of one of the Queen's cousins to a Welsh princess and the entire nation was erupting into celebration as they watched the wedding on their televisions or listened to news about it on their radios. Anglians filled the cathedral although most of these Anglians were relatives of the groom. Queen Charlette of Anglia was attending the ceremony along with other cousins such as Princess Nausicaa who had been dressed in an exquisite blue dress with her reddish-orange heir let down and sitting close to the Queen who was thinking about her own wedding with the man of her dreams. Nausicaa could only wonder if she would get married one day. Who would marry a woman with a name like Nausicaa? Everyone had to wait and see. Of course, she was here to celebrate the wedding of Edward, her beloved cousin (one of many), so she focused on that more. After all, it was his day and not hers.

Edward had been given a lecture by his father about how to treat Aerona as he put on the exquisite suit that he had recieved from him. His father never wanted to hear about any marital problems or about any abuse of Aerona by his son.. He wanted Edward to treat Aerona well and so did his mother; they both exhorted him sternly to do so. Edward told them they would; he could not think about hurting the sexiest woman he had ever seen. Edward's parents sat in the pews as he noticed Aerona walking up the aisle with a gasp. He could not believe he was getting her as his wife. He was filled with so much happiness. He loved everything about her and would do what he could to make her as happy as could be. When she finally got up the aisle to stand beside him, Edward looked at her and smiled. This must have been a dream, he thought, because he never expected any of this but he was more than ready to become a devoted married man. He was ready. All that was needed now was the priest to begin the ceremony.

OOC: I'm assuming Edward was already at the altar. :)

OOC: Is this open for guests and stuff?

OOC: Yes yes yes...send as many people as you like. The more the merrier - it is a wedding after all!

The Kingdom of Bardar congratulate both Her Imperial Highness Aerona and His Royal Highness Prince Edward. Royal marriages of this kind is not that common anymore, and the Kingdom of Bardar rejoice for this wedding. As representative of the Royal Government we will send our trusted brother Prince Orol Sarekh, 1st heir to the Throne of Bardar and acting Foreign Minister of the Royal Government. He will be the representative of both the Royal Family and the Royal Government on this wedding.

signed; Bardur I, sovereign King of Bardar

The Lamonian born King Consort Gerald of Anglia was sitting next to his wife; Queen Charlette.

Gerald remembered his own wedding day, and he smiled at his wife as he squeezed her hand. He really had not had the chance to meet the groom yet, but that would surely change when and if the wedding guests were greeted by the happy couple.

It was not long before the wedding march started, and Gerald held his wife's hand as they watched the bride and her escort make their way to the altar. Gerald thought that the bride looked resplendent in her wedding gown, and mentally complimented the tailor.

Gerald found himself eager for the ceremony to begin.

Cystennin and Aerona reached the Altar of the Basilica, the organ stopped. Aerona gazed into the eyes of her beloved Edward, realising that very soon the ceremony would be over, she would be married and she could officially take the Throne as Holy Empress. But titles didn't seem important now. All that mattered was Edward, and she could hardly tell that there were forty-thousand guests watching her in the Basilica and millions all over the world. She felt as though she was alone at the altar with Edward. The congregation sat as Dai Williams, Cardinal-Archbishop of Caerfrenin, began to speak.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the Marriage of Aerona and Edward. We sit in this House of God where the two of them will dedicate themselves to each other, and in the eyes of the Heavenly Father will consecrate an eternal bond of love and devotion.

The Cardinal-Archbishop led the Congregation in saying the Lord's Prayer:

Ein Tad, yr hwn wyt yn y Nefoedd, Sancteiddier dy Enw,
Deled dy Deyrnas, Gwneler dy Ewyllys,
Megis yn y Nef, felly ar y Ddaear hefyd.
Dyro inni heddiw ein bara beunyddinol,
A maddau inni ein Dyledion, fel y maddeuwn ninnau ein dyledwyr.
Ac nac arwain ni i brofedigaeth, eithr gwared ni rhag Drwg.
Canys eiddot ti yw'r Deyrnas a'r Nerth,
A'r Gogoniant,
Yn Oes Oesoedd,
Amen

Edward had never expected to marry the Welsh princess he had met one autumn day but he was confident that this marriage would be prosperous and fruitful so he approached this special day with happiness and joy as he could not help but smile at the love of his life. All of his relatives were anxious to see him become the official husband of Princess Aerona of Wales whom they had been quite fond of ever since they learned about the relationship; they were more than willing to welcome Aerona into their esteemed family and Edward was more than willing to do what it took to make her one happy and satisfied wife. He knew that he would be the consort of Aerona once she became Empress of Wales but it did not matter to him since he just wanted to be with the woman he was madly in love with. She, not titles, meant the world to him. Charlette noticed Gerald squeezing her hand and smiled at him while Princess Nausicaa anxiously awaited the opportunity for when she could ask Aerona or someone about Wales since she was eager to learn more about Aerona's nation firsthand.

Edward bowed in prayer along with everyone else when it was time to say the Lord's Prayer and admittingly a part of him wanted to have the wedding just end so he can take Aerona away as his new wife onto the journey of bliss but that part was successfully restrained. Edward would wait. Once the prayers were finished, Edward raised his head and smiled at Aerona. He really loved her with much passion and this was all a dream come true for them both. Soon, they would be husband and wife.

The guests crossed themselves and were seated. The Welsh Imperial Family occupied the first three rows of pews, with Prince Cystennin and Princess Gwenhwyvar on the end of the front row. Tears rolled down Gwenhwyvar's face to see her eldest daughter marry the man she loved. Aerona's cousin, Llywelyn, who had recently abdicated in her favour, sat in a simple black cassock next to Aerona's brothers and sisters. The men and women of the Imperial Family were dressed in court dress, stars of the Order of Llywelyn shining brightly upon their chests. Each wore a blue sash. Bundles of white lilies adorned the ends of the pews. Imperial standards were draped in between the enormous stained glass windows. This was, after all, the marriage of an Empress.

Among the guests of the Imperial Family were the members of the Government, Ambassadors and the Papal Nuncio. His Holiness the Pope had been invited, but was unable to attend due to ill-health - although some had commented that his "sickness" was an excuse not to attend the Wedding of one of Catholicism's most faithful adherents to a non-Catholic.

Cardinal-Archbishop Williams led the homily:

Marriage is a gift of God in creation through which husband and wife may know the grace of God. It is given that as man and woman grow together in love and trust, they shall be united with one another in heart, body and mind, as Christ is united with his bride, the Church.

The gift of marriage brings husband and wife together in the delight and tenderness of sexual union and joyful commitment to the end of their lives. It is given as the foundation of family life in which children are born and nurtured and in which each member of the family, in good times and in bad, may find strength, companionship and comfort, and grow to maturity in love.

Marriage is a way of life made holy by God, and blessed by the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with those celebrating a wedding at Cana in Galilee. Marriage is a sign of unity and loyalty which all should uphold and honour. It enriches society and strengthens community. No one should enter into it lightly or selfishly but reverently and responsibly in the sight of almighty God.

Aerona and Edward are now to enter this way of life. They will each give their consent to the other and make solemn vows, and in token of this they will each give and receive a ring. We pray with them that the Holy Spirit will guide and strengthen them, that they may fulfill God's purposes for the whole of their earthly life together.

The Cardinal-Archbishop continued.

Let he who gives this woman to be wed step forward.

Cystennin stepped forward from his pew.

Aerona and Edward have declared their intention to each other. Will you, Cystennin, entrust your daughter to Edward on this day of their marriage and unto the ending of the world?

Cystennin replied with a simple "Yes", too overcome with emotion to muster anything more.

Edward Parker, Prince of Anglia, do you know of any reason, under the Constitution and Laws of the Holy Empire of Wales and the March, or under the Laws of the Kingdom of Anglia, why you may not marry Aerona?

Prince Orol Sarekh admired the ceremony. Even a royal ceremony in Bardar was much more spartan. But Bardar was a young monarchy, a nation that newly had gained it's freedom, he could imagine that a royal wedding in Bardar would be like this in a couple of hundred years. The Basilica was also astonishing, "Patriarch Asmolach would die of jealousy if he saw this", the Prince thought to himself.

Among the guests of the Imperial Family were the members of the Government, Ambassadors and the Papal Nuncio. His Holiness the Pope had been invited, but was unable to attend due to ill-health - although some had commented that his "sickness" was an excuse not to attend the Wedding of one of Catholicism's most faithful adherents to a non-Catholic.

OOC: The Church of Anglia is the dominant Christian denomination in Anglia. It is a church that broke with Rome due to distance between Anglia and Rome and which uses the Sarum Rite which England used before the birth of Anglicanism and its Book of Common Prayer. Basically, they are like Medieval Catholics but without a Pope and some different doctrines although I really need to work on the CoA more.

The Cardinal-Archbishop continued.

Let he who gives this woman to be wed step forward.

Cystennin stepped forward from his pew.

Aerona and Edward have declared their intention to each other. Will you, Cystennin, entrust your daughter to Edward on this day of their marriage and unto the ending of the world?

Cystennin replied with a simple "Yes", too overcome with emotion to muster anything more.

Edward Parker, Prince of Anglia, do you know of any reason, under the Constitution and Laws of the Holy Empire of Wales and the March, or under the Laws of the Kingdom of Anglia, why you may not marry Aerona?

Edward smiled at the Cardinal-Archbishop:

''I know no reason so ever, under the laws of Wales and Anglia, why I may not marry the woman whom I love with all my heart. There is no reason at all.''

Gerald kept watching the ceremony with his wife; bowing in prayer at the proper moments, and generally being a good guest. He was eager to learn more about the nation of Wales and the March; but that could wait for the end of the ceremony, which looked like it might be coming soon.

Ziggard, The Soviet Elect of the Soviet System sat in the back, happy to be away from the stress of work to see such a marvelous event

Cardinal-Archbishop Williams continued:

And do you, Aerona, By the Grace of God, Princess of Snowdon, Grand Duchess of Powys, Apostolic Queen of Gwynedd, Lady of Ireland and the Isles, First Marshal of the March, Heiress of New Denmark, Empress of the Welsh, Defender of the Faith, know of any reason, under the Constitution and Laws of Wales and the March and the Laws of the Kingdom of Anglia, why you may not marry Edward?

Aerona replied with a simple no.

If there be any man here present who knows of any lawful impediment, under the Constitution and Laws of Wales and the March or the Laws of the Kingdom of Anglia, why these two persons may not be joined in Holy Matrimony, let him speak now, or forever hold his peace.

A hush fell over the basilica, a nervous tension ran up the spine of Aerona, who prayed that none would speak. She had seen it at the Wedding of her aunt, Maud, where the foreign Prince she was set to wed was already married to a woman in his own country. She remains unmarried to this day.

Edward smiled at Aerona when they both noticed that no one was speaking at all. That filled him to the brim with utter happiness since he really wanted Aerona to be his wife and was glad to see that no oen had any objections to the marriage. Everyone was content with the Anglian prince marrying the Welsh lady that charmed his heart. Edward looked at the Cardinal-Archbishop and nodded his head a little in front of him so that he could know that Edward was ready to continue the ceremony.

Bump.

OOC: Will there be a reception for Aerona and Edward?

Lamoni Bump.

Bumped.

ooc: is there room for an interloper to object to the marriage ??? ...

ooc : no offence .,.but it might make things interesting ...hehe

The Cardinal-Archbishop continued.

Edward, repeat after me.

I, Edward Parker, Prince of Anglia, take thee, Aerona, Empress of the Welsh,
to be my lawful wedded wife,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part,
according to God's holy law;
In the presence of God I make this vow.

Edward smiled. At times he felt like he could not restrain the happiness within him but he was able to clearly recite these lines with the clergyman:

"I, Edward Parker, Prince of Anglia, take thee, Aerona, Empress of the Welsh,
to be my lawful wedded wife,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part,
according to God's holy law;
In the presence of God I make this vow."

I, Aerona, Empress of the Welsh, take thee, Edward Parker,
to be my lawful wedded husband,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part,
according to God's holy law;
In the presence of God I make this vow.

With the exchange of rings, Edward and Aerona became husband and wife. Aerona had a ring of three interwoven platinum rings to sit next to her platinum engagement ring with its twelve diamonds. She stared at her hand with its elegant Wedding ring and smiled.

I now pronounce you man and wife continued the Cardinal-Archbishop.
You may kiss the Bride.

Edward was immediately filled with more joy and happiness than ever before when he heard that he was now officially the husband of Empress Aerona of the Welsh. He was madly in love with her and could not contain himself any longer. He firmly took hold of Aerona and swept her off her feet with a tender and passionate kiss that made the crowds roar in celebration.

Edward helped Aerona back up and smiled; hoping that she would interpret the kiss as being only a really great sign of his love for her.

When the pronouncement had been made, and Edward had swept his wife off her feet in order to kiss her, Gerald was roaring at least as loud as anyone else in the crowd as he recalled his own wedding to Queen Charlette. The memories brought a smile to his face; but it seemed that almost anything pertaining to his love would make him smile.

bumped.

Are we continuing this, Wales, or does it end here?

OOC: I guess we are finished. :D