Love blooms in Eorzea! Whether you’ve adventured alongside your soulmate, conquered savage raids, or simply shared countless laughs crafting in the Firmament, Final Fantasy XIV offers a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate your connection: the Ceremony of Eternal Bonding. This isn’t just a simple in-game event; it’s a grand spectacle, a testament to your bond, and a chance to create lasting memories with friends and fellow adventurers. But with three distinct tiers, each offering its own set of lavish perks, how do you choose the perfect ceremony for your love story? Fear not, fellow Warriors of Light! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about FFXIV’s Eternal Bonding, from the basic requirements to the dazzling details of each plan.
What is the Ceremony of Eternal Bonding?
The Ceremony of Eternal Bonding is Final Fantasy XIV’s in-game marriage system, allowing players to formalize their relationship with another player in a beautiful and customizable ceremony. It’s more than just a virtual wedding; it’s a role-playing experience that allows you to share a special moment with your friends and guildmates. The ceremony takes place in the picturesque Sanctum of the Twelve, a location imbued with the spirit of Eorzea’s deities.
- Some of the Key Features include:
- Customizable ceremony with various themes
- Exchange of special rings
- Exclusive in-game items and rewards
- Invitation system for friends and Free Company members
- A memorable role-playing experience
The Three Tiers: Eternal Bonding Plans
Choosing the right tier is crucial for creating the perfect ceremony. Each plan offers a unique set of perks and customization options, catering to different budgets and preferences – making this more accessible for more players!
What’s Included:
Standard Plan (Free):
- Basic ceremony in the Sanctum of the Twelve
- Exchange of Eternal Bonding rings
- Standard ceremony attire
- Limited customization options
- Basic ceremony music and lighting
- The Embrace emote
- A new hairstyle
- A giant cake to put in your house/room
Who it’s for: Players looking for a simple and heartfelt ceremony without spending real money.
Gold Plan (Paid):
- Everything from the Standard Plan, plus:
- More elaborate ceremony attire (various colors)
- Enhanced customization options for the ceremony
- Choice of ceremony themes and music
- A special flying mount for the couple
- Minions for all of the guests
Who it’s for: Players who want a more personalized and visually appealing ceremony with exclusive items.
Platinum Plan (Paid – Highest Tier):
- Everything from the Gold Plan, plus:
- Most luxurious and detailed ceremony attire
- Extensive customization options, including unique cutscenes
- Exclusive and extravagant ceremony themes and music
- Priority scheduling for your ceremony
Who it’s for: Players seeking the ultimate Eternal Bonding experience with the most lavish customization and exclusive rewards.
Preparing for Your Ceremony – Eternal Bonding Tips
Planning your Eternal Bonding ceremony can be just as exciting as the event itself, and it can also be confusing! Here are some essential tips to ensure a smooth and memorable experience:
- First, you’re going to want to obtain the pledge of eternal bonding: Purchase the desired plan from the FFXIV Online Store. Purchasing the tier will unlock quests to complete to continue in a story of how your ceremony will be professed and blesses by the Twelve.
- Complete the questline: Follow the questline to unlock the Sanctum of the Twelve.
- Then it’s time to choose your ceremony time! Book your ceremony slot well in advance, especially for popular times. There is extensive documentation on how the registering of days is process and we found that trying to sign up for Valentine’s Day was really easy. We have no frame of reference so just to be safe, make sure you arrive early!
- Next, send invitations: Invite your friends and Free Company members to share your special day. If you are like us, you love fashion and glams so be sure to coordinate outfits: Plan your attire and accessories to match your chosen ceremony theme.
- Lasty, take screenshots and videos: Capture the memories of your Eternal Bonding for posterity. Don’t rush the time! Make sure you get all the angles and pictures your heart may desire because there is no returning after the ceremony concludes.
Your Community Makes It Special!
The beauty of Final Fantasy XIV extends far beyond the game itself; it’s about the connections we forge and the communities we build. And sometimes, those connections blossom into something truly special.
Take my own experience, for instance. My partner, Burbs, and I celebrated a significant milestone: our Twitch stream affiliate anniversary. We’d built an incredible community through our FFXIV streams, sharing our adventures, raid nights, and crafting sessions with viewers who became close friends. What better way to commemorate this milestone than with a grand Eternal Bonding ceremony in Eorzea?
We saw it as the perfect opportunity to not only celebrate our love but also to thank our amazing community. We carefully coordinated with our online friends, sending out invitations and planning a virtual reception that would bring everyone together. The Sanctum of the Twelve became the backdrop for our real-life celebration, and our online friends were there to witness it all.
The ceremony itself was magical. Seeing our friends’ characters lined up, cheering us on, and participating in the festivities was incredibly heartwarming. It was a testament to the power of online communities and the bonds we can form through shared experiences. We chose the Platinum Plan to have the most extravagant event possible and it was the best final touch to take pictures during a reception that played the classic FFXIV tune “Pa-Paya.” (yes, you even get to choose the music in this event!)
It was a night filled with joy and camaraderie, proving that even in a virtual world, love and friendship can thrive.
This experience reinforced the idea that FFXIV’s Eternal Bonding isn’t just a game mechanic; it’s a way to celebrate real connections and create lasting memories with the people who matter most. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone like we were or simply wanting to formalize your in-game relationship, the Ceremony of Eternal Bonding offers a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
So, should you do it?
If you are a player of FFXIV, the Ceremony of Eternal Bonding is a truly special experience, offering a unique way to celebrate your love and commitment. Whether you choose the simple elegance of the Standard Plan or the extravagant luxury of the Platinum Plan, your Eternal Bonding will be a cherished memory, and the amenities offered at each tier provide their own use. So, gather your friends, prepare your vows, and embark on this unforgettable journey together! Plus you also each get a ring that let you teleport directly to each other!
Nuances we learned:
- Players can only attend if you share the same Home World. Anyone can come hang out in front of the Temple before and after the ceremony, but only those who share the same Home World are allowed to receive invites and actually attend. If you are on a different Home World, you’ll have to spend time (make an alt on the couple’s server) or money (pay for a Home World Transfer, as long as it is not congested) to attend.
- Free trial players CANNOT attend. In order to attend a ceremony, you must be able to trade with one of the two in the ceremony to receive an invite.
- If you progress the ceremony with the bells, you forfeit that time. You do not get additional time at the end if you skip the earlier sections.
