What traditional items do Kaldorei use for engagement? Do they give rings, bracelets, something more spiritual? Do they just consider themselves mated for life instead of a full marriage type ceremony?
I'm not aware of any lore regarding their marriage customs, but we have this one quest that mentions Bracers of Kinship to represent a sacred bond of friendship, love and trust. I'm sure there's a marriage-related version to this that just hasn't been elaborated on.
https://wow.gamepedia.com/A_Cry_For_Help
Based on Malfurion and Tyrande's marriage, it seems to be a life-long commitment, though there's nothing explicitly stating this and is just conjecture based on their long-lasting marriage.
https://wow.gamepedia.com/A_Cry_For_Help
Based on Malfurion and Tyrande's marriage, it seems to be a life-long commitment, though there's nothing explicitly stating this and is just conjecture based on their long-lasting marriage.
Good question! The kaldorei do not seem to have an engagement period in their culture and as such have no standard gifts. However, courtship can involve things such as planting a special tree or gift-giving between lovers.
https://www.wowhead.com/achievement=5191/tragedy-in-three-acts
— A "pendant of bonding" is mentioned in the quest below; this could be considered the necklace equivalent of an engagement ring.
https://www.wowhead.com/quest=1142/mortality-wanes
There are two Highborne ghosts that have been stuck in a marriage ceremony for 10,000 years in Azsuna. They both bear wedding bands, but since they are Highborne and very old, we cannot know if these are or were ever kaldorei customs.
https://www.wowhead.com/item=141881/eternal-brides-wedding-ring
https://www.wowhead.com/item=141882/eternal-grooms-wedding-band
— As courtship develops, I assume the pair talk about exclusivity. At some point afterwards, becoming mates is discussed, the man asks the woman to be his for eternity, or a gradual understanding occurs where no words need to be said if they have been together for so long. Then they are considered married/mated for life. The terms seem to be synonymous regardless of a ceremony.
— Night elves call each other their "mate", "husband", "wife", and other terms of endearment. Some women take their husband's last name, some do not.
https://www.wowhead.com/npc=4521/treshala-fallowbrook
https://www.wowhead.com/quest=8306/into-the-maw-of-madness
— There are many instances in the lore of life-long commitment, even remaining faithful after one spouse's death.
https://www.wowhead.com/quest=13563/a-love-eternal
https://www.wowhead.com/npc=53289/leyara
— It is unknown if ceremonies are commonplace, but with these dresses, it seems likely. I think it perfectly reasonable for a priestess to perform a marriage.
https://www.wowhead.com/item=13900/green-wedding-hanbok
https://www.wowhead.com/item=13896/dark-green-wedding-hanbok
The marriage between Malfurion and Tyrande is the only instance of one. Broll was the best man and Shandris the maid of honor. Here are excerpts from the book Stormrage:
A wedding gift reference in the short story Seeds of Faith:
You have a lot of leeway to create your own traditions. The union of two kaldorei coming together as one, bound forever in love and promise, is worth remembering. I hope that this sheds some light on the topic for you and best of luck!
https://www.wowhead.com/achievement=5191/tragedy-in-three-acts
— A "pendant of bonding" is mentioned in the quest below; this could be considered the necklace equivalent of an engagement ring.
https://www.wowhead.com/quest=1142/mortality-wanes
There are two Highborne ghosts that have been stuck in a marriage ceremony for 10,000 years in Azsuna. They both bear wedding bands, but since they are Highborne and very old, we cannot know if these are or were ever kaldorei customs.
https://www.wowhead.com/item=141881/eternal-brides-wedding-ring
https://www.wowhead.com/item=141882/eternal-grooms-wedding-band
— As courtship develops, I assume the pair talk about exclusivity. At some point afterwards, becoming mates is discussed, the man asks the woman to be his for eternity, or a gradual understanding occurs where no words need to be said if they have been together for so long. Then they are considered married/mated for life. The terms seem to be synonymous regardless of a ceremony.
— Night elves call each other their "mate", "husband", "wife", and other terms of endearment. Some women take their husband's last name, some do not.
https://www.wowhead.com/npc=4521/treshala-fallowbrook
https://www.wowhead.com/quest=8306/into-the-maw-of-madness
— There are many instances in the lore of life-long commitment, even remaining faithful after one spouse's death.
https://www.wowhead.com/quest=13563/a-love-eternal
https://www.wowhead.com/npc=53289/leyara
— It is unknown if ceremonies are commonplace, but with these dresses, it seems likely. I think it perfectly reasonable for a priestess to perform a marriage.
https://www.wowhead.com/item=13900/green-wedding-hanbok
https://www.wowhead.com/item=13896/dark-green-wedding-hanbok
The marriage between Malfurion and Tyrande is the only instance of one. Broll was the best man and Shandris the maid of honor. Here are excerpts from the book Stormrage:
To Broll, the archdruid replied, "She is rather protective. I've made her a promise she intends I keep."Pages 435-441
"'Promise'?"
"It is fortuitous that you are here, Broll, for I can think of no other I would have stand with me when I and Tyrande take our vows."
It took Broll a moment to register what he meant. Shandris laughed lightly at his delayed reaction.
"You two—you are to marry?"
"Please do not sound so shocked." The high priestess smiled.
..."Well, Broll Bearmantle, will you stand with me?"
"There are surely others—"
"Many good souls, but I choose you."
The druid bowed his head. "Then, I'm honored. I only pray that I will not make a mistake."...
"When will the ceremony take place?"
..."As soon as possible."
...The ceremony took place in the Temple of Elune, of course.
...Although the time of the ceremony was of course set for when the White Lady—the great silver moon that to the night elves was Elune herself—was at its zenith, other illumination existed that both added splendor and eased those visitors who were not of a nocturnal nature. Fireflies by the thousands decorated the trees, and small silver-blue orbs of moonlight hovered over the people themselves.
...Malfurion...wore a long, draping cloak of forest leaves and a breastplate crafted from fallen wood...a knee-length green kilt and sandals.
...Tyrande was dressed...with a grand cape of silver-and-blue light that flowed long past the end of her mount. Her midnight blue hair was loose and long...
Shandris and Broll strode behind the pair, both also adorned with long cloaks akin to those of the archdruid and the high priestess, but not quite as grand. Their task was to stand as witness and strength for their respective companions...
There had been great question as to who would perform the ceremony. Had matters been otherwise, many believed Remulos would have done so.
...Ysera took up a place near Malfurion while Alexstrasza did so by Tyrande.
"We are honored to have been asked to be the ones to perform this intertwining of two spirits," they sang in unison. "But in truth, these spirits have been one since the beginning . . ."
The two females brought the pair's other hands together, then placed their own atop and underneath.
"Though this ceremony shall be brief, let it forever mark the culmination of ten thousand years of love, of destiny," Alexstrasza and Ysera continued. "Let there be peace for this pair, who have brought it to all others, who have sacrificed for all others . . ."
..."This is a day to be well-marked by all Azeroth!" The Aspects pulled their hands away. The fantastic blending of auras and moonlight continued around the newly married duo. "But, most of all, this is a day well-deserved for these two here! Tyrande Whisperwind. . . Malfurion Stormrage . . . we bless this union . . ."
A wedding gift reference in the short story Seeds of Faith:
A large potted plant sat on the shelf in front of her, its heart-shaped leaves curling along graceful branches. It was known as the alor'el, or "lover's leaf," and though they had been common thousands of years ago, the plants were gradually dying out across Kalimdor. Somehow Shandris had procured one and bestowed it upon Tyrande and Malfurion on their wedding day...according to an ancient but completely unfounded kaldorei legend, the alor'el would only bloom for a couple who shared a perfect love.Page 7
You have a lot of leeway to create your own traditions. The union of two kaldorei coming together as one, bound forever in love and promise, is worth remembering. I hope that this sheds some light on the topic for you and best of luck!
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