Kalistan

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Crown Prince is Married in Eveari
Lady Jennifer Ananto-Connor is promoted to Princess and Consort in Waiting
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 3, 5668


Crown Prince Fredrick Ananto-Collins and new Princess Jennifer Ananto-Connor, joined by Best Man Count Martin Collins of Sulari, and Maid of Honor Ms. Juana Jimenez

Having finally returned from their month long visit to Hutori and Queen Arianna, His Highness, The Crown Prince Fredrick Ananto-Collins has been married to Lady Jennifer Connor, 26, of Kaliburg. She has been formally styled Her Highness, Princess Jennifer Ananto-Connor, Baroness of Zappa following her marriage, and will eventually become Empress of Ananto and Kalistan once the Crown Prince becomes Emperor. A small invited crowd of relatives and friends, along with the attenders of the Eveari Monthly Meeting of Brethren were on hand for the ceremony at the Brethrenist Meeting House in Eveari, the traditional site for Anantonese weddings.

The wedding ceremony was in the tradition of the Brethrenist faith, involving silent worship, speeches during the Meeting, and the traditional signing of the large, poster size wedding certificate of all those in attendance. Also in true Brethrenist fashion, a minute was offered by several members to assume the spiritual and temporal care for the Crown Prince and Princess by the Meeting. The Prince and Princess exchanged vows and rings, and both the best man, His Highness' father Count Martin Collins of Sulari County, and maid of Honor, Ms. Juana Jimenez, who has been one of Lady Jennifer's closest friends for several years, offered speeches in support of the marriage.

In attendance at the Ceremony were a host of dignitaries in the Empire. Besides the Royal Family, including Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto, Count Martin Collins, Her Highness Princess Nicolette Ananto-Collins (on NSP Leave before beginning her last year in the service), Her Highness Princess Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis, and Lady Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis, several of the extended members of the Royal family turned up, including Lady Helen Ananto-Reynolds and Sir George Alvarez. Additionally the Hereditary Grand Duke of Kalistan Craig Alvarez was in attendance, as were several members of the peerage. Lady Connor's parents and sister Jill were also in attendance, and several of her friends from Kaliburg, and from the fashion industry.


Count Martin Collins, Her Imperial Majesty, Crown Prince Fredrick, and Princess Nicolette stand for a photo at Eveari Grove[/align]

Following the ceremony, the Wedding Party moved to Ananto Estate in Eveari, which had been reopened last month and prepared for the celebration. Ananto Estate remains vacant much of the time, with one one of the wings, reserved for the Staff remaining active. It will be the future residence of Her Imperial Majesty following her retirement. But now it was alive with laughter, dancing and music, food, and conviviality. Most of the music during the main reception was provided by the Kaliburg Chamber Orchestra, who played incidental music, as well as specific dance tunes for formal dancing, and included an electric music set for those who preferred more contemporary fare.

Dinner was served to the guests and included either baked ocean cod, seasoned with lemon and butter, with spinach and wild rice pilaf, or a hearty teriyaki tofu and quinoa salad, greens, and bread for those who prefer vegetarian options. Desert was a fresh citrus sorbet and wafers. And of course an assortment of wines or teas was served with dinner. All said the cook staff did a remarkable job with the food.

Dinner was followed by speeches. Count Martin Collins said he was so proud of his son, to watch him grow to become a man. He admonished the Crown Prince to always remember to laugh, and to try to never go to bed angry. Her Imperial Majesty also spoke, and encouraged the Crown Prince to remember that marriage was about communication, finding joy in simple things, and apology and forgiveness. "It is difficult to live with someone for decades on end," said the Empress. "But being able to forgive and being able to apologize makes things a lot smoother. And they allow you to do what your father said and not go to bed angry. Because the marriage makes you stronger, as a couple, than the fight. And apology and forgiveness is like exercise." Ms. Jimenez was more upbeat with her speech. She said the newlyweds were some of the funnest people to be around and speaking for her and the Princess' whole friend group, wished them so much luck and happiness in the future.

Princess Jennifer and Crown Prince Fredrick enjoy a dance during the main reception

At about 8:30 pm, following the cake cutting, the toasts and the formal dances, Her Imperial Majesty and Lady Victoria Jensen said their good nights and retired. Count Martin Collins stayed until about 9 before he headed to the main house with wife Lady Kelly Collins. Several of the other attendees made their way to the house while the order was given to open the gates to the community. This tradition is known as the public reception, and involves the opportunity for the Citizens of Eveari to visit the Estate, be served their own dinner if they want it, and drink and celebrate. It also allows the citizens to meet the Royal Family and the new addition to welcome, in this case, her to the community. It also involves an open bar and usually a popular musician or band to take over on music duties. This year, the invited band was Dana surfpunks Limelight, who the Prince and Princess met at GanJam last summer. They were joined by Micky Zapata, the RF singer who guested on a few Limelight songs on their recent album. The singer was beside herself: "When they asked me to come up and join Limelight for the night, at the Wedding Party, I was like 'With my eyes closed'!"

The Prince and Princess remained at the Public reception until 10:30, when they called it a night. As they retired to the main house, and others followed, the crowd gave them an ovation and a hearty cheer, and then went back to celebrating. Following the departure of the bride and groom, ODEN opened the recreational bar. Princess Nicolette Ananto remained at the party throughout the evening, meeting Eveari residents, and listening to music. "I just love Zapata," she said. "Seeing her was definitely a plus for me. I missed her at GanJam, and I have to go back to the Corps in a few days so I am going to enjoy every minute of freedom I can until then." She was seen talking to a few local gentlemen throughout the evening, but they all departed before she retired to the Main House.

The Public Reception broke up at about 3:30 am, following Micky Zapata's last trance set.

The Royal Family will spend a few days longer in Eveari before returning to Kaliburg. From there, Count Martin Ananto and his wife will return to Sulari, while Her Imperial Majesty and Lady Jensen will return to finish their residency at Wood House. Princess Nicolette will return to national service a few days later, and His Highness the Crown Prince Fredrick and Princess Jennifer will prepare to make their tour of the world beginning in early September.

@LaModa