General:

At its most basic level, marriage in blood elf society is very easy to obtain. In order for a marriage to be legally recognized in Silvermoon, the couple need only proclaim to one another that they are wed. Silvermoon does not require any paperwork, religious ceremony, or even witnesses to make a marriage binding.

Aman'diel:

Aman’diel is a thalassian word that roughly translates into “right to marry”. Though a couple may proclaim that they are married, they cannot legally do so without aman’diel. Aman’diel has two basic components.

1. No impediments: There are many laws which might bar a citizen of Silvermoon from marriage. These laws include but are not limited to:
• Age – both must be at least thirty years of age, or have the consent of their legal guardian.
• Marital status - neither person may be currently married.
• Blood – the couple must not be closer related than second cousin.
2. Desire: Both persons must desire to be married. Neither may be compelled by an outside influence in their decision to wed; both must be willing participants.

Social Norms:

Despite Silvermoon’s very basic legal requirements, marriage is often conducted with quite a bit more hoopla than a simple proclamation by two people with aman'diel.

Courtship: Most blood elves do not begin courtship until they are thirty. If her parents can afford it, a young woman will be debuted in a lavish ceremony in her family home, where eligible suitors will come to meet her. While technically a girl’s father is in charge of arranging a marriage, more often than not it is left up to the mother.

Engagement: Normally, a period of engagement lasts for roughly two years. Blood elf engagements are notoriously fickle and are often broken based on changing family loyalties and politics within society. Due to the political nature of marriage in blood elf society, a person may be engaged several times before they wed, pushing the actual age of marriage back several years.

Because aman'diel requires that both persons desire marriage, depending upon the situation, a son or daughter upon their first marriage may have some part in the arrangement process. Their role is largely dependent upon the parents. Most blood elf parents want their children to marry someone they can agree to, but politics and money can often stand in the way. Some parents will resort to threats and extortion to force their child to marry someone against their wishes.

Men: During this lengthy engagement period, blood elf men are expected to go through a period of recklessness. Drinking, whoring, gambling and general sewing of wild oats is typical—and in some cases encouraged. While many blood elves frown on this behavior, it is seen as a natural pattern in a man’s life that will be cured with marriage.

Women: As far as their behavior is concerned, the engagement period for women is largely dictated by the traditions of their family. Women fortunate enough to be members of Silvermoon’s elite may experience the same blissful reverie of their male counterparts, though it is often played down as maidenhood is a socially expected requirement for women in their first marriage. Ladies from less privileged houses will be socially accessible at parties and the like, but may find their hours filled with instruction on needlework and other matronly duties.

Ceremony: Once an engagement has been fulfilled and finalized in a pact by the fathers of the bride and groom (where discussion of dowry takes place), a lavish marriage ceremony is expected. It is a well noted tradition among Silvermoon’s noble houses to vie for the most opulent marriage ceremonies. The traditional blood elf ceremony has three parts.

1. Exchanging of vows. This was traditionally performed in the house of the bride by a priest of the light.
2. Banquet. A banquet is held in honor of the married couple. Drinking, dancing, and the exchanging of gifts is expected.
3. Parade. The wedding party escorts the bride and groom to the groom’s home, where the wedding vows are consummated.

Legal Considerations:

Silvermoon recognizes marriage as a legal category. Married persons are subject to certain benefits and restrictions by law.

1. A married woman becomes a member of her husband’s family by name and status. If her husband is a member of a noble house, she will become a member of that house, rescinding all legal ties to her former house (if any).* If she divorces or becomes a widow, she may return to her birth house, or remain with her husband's, so long as the house lord is agreeable.
2. Married persons fall under a different category for estate and inheritance law.
3. If the husband receives a dowry from his wife, he becomes the owner of that property until the couple divorces, at which point it must be returned in full to his wife.
4. With the exception of gifts, husbands and wives are to keep their assets separate.

* Unless she is the lady of her house.

- Divorce
- Widows and Widowers
- Remarriage
- Main Lore Page