Transforming Wedding Vows: Game Of Thrones Style

how to change the game of thrones wedding vows

Game of Thrones-inspired wedding vows are a popular choice for fans of the show and fantasy enthusiasts. The vows bring the epic spirit of Westeros to a couple's special day, infusing the ceremony with the captivating essence of the legendary saga. While some worry about the appropriateness of using Game of Thrones as inspiration, especially for a church wedding, the influence of fantasy storytelling on real-life ceremonies is undeniable. Couples can draw on the various wedding ceremonies and vows depicted in the show, such as the Northern vows, the Dothraki style, or the Faith of the Seven, to create a unique and unforgettable experience.

Characteristics Values
Wedding customs Vary between the lands and major faiths
All are religious ceremonies between one man and one woman
Ceremonies involve the exchange of vows in the presence of sacred witnesses
Faith of the Seven A septon presides over the ceremony, which involves prayers, vows, and singing
The bride wears a maiden's cloak in the colors of her house
The bride's father removes the cloak from her shoulders, so her husband can place a cloak of his own house colors about her shoulders
The bride and groom speak the words "With this kiss I pledge my love"
The septon says: "In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity. Look upon one another and say the words. Father. Smith. Warrior. Mother. Maiden. Crone. Stranger. I am his/hers, and s/he is mine. From this day, until the end of my days"
Northern Vows A simpler ceremony where the couple exchanges vows before a heart tree
The key phrase is: "I am hers/his, and she/he is mine, from this day, until the end of my days"
Dothraki wedding customs Outdoor ceremonies with a focus on strength and vitality, featuring public consummation and fierce contests
They don't have wedding "vows" in the same way that Westerosi cultures do
Dornish customs Distinct from the rest of Westeros, given Dorne's unique culture and traditions

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Northern vows vs. Faith of the Seven vows

The Faith of the Seven is the dominant religion in most of the Seven Kingdoms. Followers of the Faith are rare in the North, where the religion of the Old Gods is still strong. The North, or the winterlands, is one of the constituent regions of Westeros and was a sovereign nation ruled by Kings in the North before Aegon's Conquest.

The North is known for its constant cold and unforgiving terrain, which sets its people apart from those of the kingdoms to the south. Northerners place less emphasis on courtly ritual and culture, preferring hunting and brawling instead. Weddings in the North are simpler, with couples exchanging vows before a heart tree (a weirwood tree with carved faces). The key phrase is: "I am hers/his, and she/he is mine, from this day, until the end of my days."

On the other hand, weddings under the Faith of the Seven are elaborate and highly ritualized. These ceremonies typically take place inside a sept, presided over by a septon or septa. The bride is escorted to the altar by her father, where the groom and septon await. The groom is instructed to "cloak the bride and bring her under your protection" by draping a cloak bearing his house's colours over the bride's shoulders. The couple then joins hands, which are tied together with a ribbon by the septon, who says:

> "In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity. Look upon one another and say the words."

The couple then recites the following vow in unison:

> "Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger, I am his/hers and she/he is mine, from this day, until the end of my days."

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The influence of fantasy storytelling

The impact of fictional vows on real-world weddings showcases how storytelling shapes perceptions of love and commitment. Couples are drawn to the grandeur, poetic language, and symbolic gestures depicted in Game of Thrones, infusing their ceremonies with personalised vows and elaborate settings.

The show's ability to seamlessly blend genres, combining fantasy, drama, action, and even horror, has created a unique viewing experience that resonates with fans. The wedding vows exchanged between Khaleesi and Khal Drogo, for example, symbolise their deep love and commitment, transcending cultural differences. Their vows, referring to each other as the ""Moon of his life" and "Sun and Stars," have become a symbol of enduring love and devotion, inspiring couples to incorporate similar celestial imagery into their own vows.

While some may question the appropriateness of using Game of Thrones as inspiration, especially for church weddings, the show's impact on popular culture cannot be denied. Couples who are not tied to a particular religion embrace the fantasy land of Westeros, with its barbaric and poetical weddings, as a source of romantic and mysterious quotes. The fictional vows reflect a call for protection from the highest powers, resonating with those seeking to infuse their ceremonies with elements of fantasy.

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The role of religion in Game of Thrones weddings

Religion plays a significant role in the weddings of "Game of Thrones," with various cultures and religions in the series having their own unique customs and vows. The Faith of the Seven, the Old Gods of the First Men, and the Dothraki traditions are among the most notable belief systems influencing wedding ceremonies.

Followers of the Faith of the Seven, the dominant religion in Westeros, have structured wedding rituals involving septons (men) or septas (women) as priests. The bride wears a maiden's cloak in her house colors, which is removed by her father or a male relative, and then replaced with a cloak in the groom's house colors, symbolizing her transition from her father's protection to her husband's. The key vow spoken is: "In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity."

In contrast, weddings in the North, where the Old Gods are worshipped, are simpler. Ceremonies take place before a heart tree (a weirwood tree with carved faces) in a godswood, and there are no priests. The couple exchanges vows, with the key phrase being: "I am hers/his, and she/he is mine, from this day, until the end of my days."

The Dothraki, a horselord culture, have unique wedding customs that do not include traditional vows. Their ceremonies are held outdoors and emphasize strength and vitality, featuring public consummation and contests. Cremation upon death is also a significant aspect of their culture, as they believe that souls ascend to join their ancestors in the Night Lands.

While the religions and wedding traditions depicted in "Game of Thrones" are fictional, they draw on historical and cultural influences. The Faith of the Seven, for example, may be inspired by Christianity, with its septons/septas resembling Christian priests and its holy text, "The Seven-Pointed Star." The Old Gods, on the other hand, are nameless and faceless, found in natural elements like trees and streams, reflecting a more animistic or pagan belief system.

The diverse religions and wedding customs in "Game of Thrones" add depth and intrigue to the world-building of the series. They showcase the complexity of the societies and characters, reflecting the political and personal motivations that shape their lives.

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The world of Game of Thrones is a fantasy land, full of strange gods and their servants. The weddings in the show are barbaric and poetical, with vows that are a call for protection from the highest powers.

The Faith of the Seven involves a ritual where the groom cloaks the bride. The septons or septas officiate the wedding and often say:

> In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity.

The weddings in the North are simpler, with the couple exchanging vows before a heart tree (a weirwood with carved faces). The key phrase is:

> I am hers/his, and she/he is mine, from this day, until the end of my days.

The traditional Westerosi vows can be mixed with personal promises and iconic phrases, like:

> Moon of my life

> My sun and stars

Dothraki wedding customs are unique and they don’t have wedding “vows” in the same way that Westerosi cultures do. Their weddings are outdoor ceremonies with a focus on strength and vitality, featuring public consummation and fierce contests.

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How to make your own Game of Thrones vows

If you're a fan of Game of Thrones and want to incorporate elements of the show into your wedding, you can consider creating your own Game of Thrones-inspired wedding vows. The show's weddings are both barbaric and poetical, full of mystery and romance, and a call for protection from the highest powers.

There are different wedding ceremonies and vows for various cultures and religions in Westeros. Weddings in the North are simpler, with couples exchanging vows before a heart tree, and the key phrase being: "I am hers/his, and she/he is mine, from this day, until the end of my days."

Followers of the Faith of the Seven have a different set of vows: "In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity. Look upon one another and say the words. Father. Smith. Warrior. Mother. Maiden. Crone. Stranger. I am his/hers, and she/he is mine. From this day until the end of my days."

Dothraki wedding customs are unique and do not include vows in the same way as Westerosi cultures. Their ceremonies are held outdoors and focus on strength and vitality, featuring public consummation and fierce contests.

When creating your own Game of Thrones-inspired vows, you can draw inspiration from the show's themes of loyalty, enduring love, and protection. You can also incorporate references to specific characters or events from the show that hold significance for you.

"In the game of love, I pledge to be your unwavering ally, facing every challenge as if winter is coming, and standing by your side through thick and thin. With these vows, I promise to be your strength and support, forging an unbreakable bond as we embark on this matrimonial adventure. I will protect our love and be your steadfast companion, just as Jon was to Ygritte. With this ring, I take you as my [spouse], and together, we shall rule the throne of our love, where dragons soar and hearts intertwine."

Remember, you can make slight changes to the existing Game of Thrones vows or invent your own, ensuring that your wedding is a unique and unforgettable experience.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some examples of wedding vows inspired by Game of Thrones:

- "I am hers/his, and she/he is mine, from this day, until the end of my days."

- "In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity. Look upon one another and say the words."

- "As you are the Moon of his life, he shall be your Sun and Stars. Your love shall be as ever-present as those two celestial bodies...even though they are sometimes hidden from one another's sight."

- "In the game of love, I pledge to be your unwavering ally, facing every trial as if winter is coming and standing by your side until the last watch."

It is important to note that the world of Game of Thrones is a fantasy land with various religions and cultural groups, each with its own unique wedding customs and vows. If you are planning a religious wedding, incorporating Game of Thrones vows may not be appropriate. Additionally, the vows in the series often emphasize protection and loyalty rather than the traditional "for better or for worse" and "till death do us part" phrases.

You can choose to use the Game of Thrones vows as inspiration and make slight changes to align with your own beliefs and values. Alternatively, you can create your own Game of Thrones-inspired vows by incorporating elements of fantasy, grandeur, poetic language, and symbolic gestures.

Yes, in the series, the Faith of the Seven involves a ritual where the groom cloaks the bride, symbolizing her passing from her father's protection to her husband's. The Old Gods have a simpler ceremony where the couple exchanges vows before a heart tree. Dothraki weddings are outdoor ceremonies with a focus on strength and vitality, and they do not have traditional wedding vows.

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