

This means that they tend to take relationships slowly and seriously with each other. The Dalish appear to be more in line with Fereldan thinking rather than other cultures like Orlais. In a community where there is mostly little cause for celebration, a wedding is a tremendous affair, and the whole district will turn out to enjoy the feasting and dancing. Marriage ceremonies require the approval of the Chantry, and are officiated by one of the Chantry priests. Betrothals are often made between families from different alienages in order to promote inter-city trade and relations, as well as to bring new elves into the alienage community. Elven children are usually matched by their parents and the alienage elders, and the bride and groom often will not have met each other before the marriage ceremony.

Īmong city elves, marriage is a rite of passage, the single greatest thing that distinguishes children from adults. The Chantry permits annulments but not outright divorce. Love is not necessary for a successful marriage but is nonetheless desirable, as it makes the union stronger. Through a favorable marriage, one can make valuable connections, improve one's social standing, and secure financial stability for oneself and one's family. In the eyes of the Chantry, marriage is both a celebration of tradition and a practical decision. All Andrastian priests are therefore symbolically wedded to the Maker and sworn to celibacy. The Chantry Īccording to the Chant of Light, Andraste had a spiritual marriage with the Maker. Sexual relationships between unmarried people are also found acceptable.

The ceremony can be repeated multiple times to extend the duration of the marriage. Both the bride and the groom may try to affect the result of the ritual, for example, the bride can tie the knots very tightly, while the groom can decide to only untie a certain number of the knots before the hymn ends. The number of knots the groom undoes before the hymn ends determines the number of years that their marriage will last. During the wedding ceremony, the bride will sing a hymn to the Lady of the Skies while the groom attempts to undo a series of knots that the bride has tied in a long rope. The Avvar do not marry for life, instead, they practice temporary marriages.
