Native American Wedding Traditions

Each Native American wedding is unique. Some couples get married using many Native American wedding traditions, while others prefer a more modern approach. Either way, almost no two Native American wedding ceremonies are the same.

Have fun creating your custom wedding day that will be completely your own.

Pictures of Native American wedding dress show that the groom often wears a hip length Native American shirt with black pants and shoes. The bride will usually wear a colorful Native American wedding dress with fringes and elaborate embroidery on them. These Native American wedding dresses are sometimes made using tanned buffalo, deer or elk skins. More modern materials are sometimes used when animal skins are impractical.

A Native American wedding blessing, usually given by the guests of the wedding to the couple during the ceremony, consist of woven pillow baskets filled with cornmeal in some cultures. Other cultures present the couple with a basket of corn during the ceremony as it symbolizes fertility. Sometimes prior to the Native American wedding, jewelry is given to the bride by the groom. Native American wedding vows vary depending on the culture in which the wedding is taking place. More than 5,000 different Native American wedding ceremonies were shared among the cultures.

In many Native American weddings the bride and groom drink from a wedding vase with two spouts. This vase will usually contain Native American holy water and this ceremony will unite the couple as one. Sometimes the bride and groom will also chose to have Native American wedding quotes read during the ceremony. These will allow you to add a special touch to your ceremony, making it different from any one else’s Native American wedding ceremony.

If you want to add a personal touch to your wedding day, you may wish to have handmade Native American wedding jewelry. Native American wedding rings are often made with Turquoise and Coral Cabochons. This is much different than the more westernized diamond ring. The traditional Native American wedding bands are more commonly made of sterling silver as opposed to gold or platinum.

No two Native American weddings are the same, so have fun when planning one. Use your style and personality, along with your beliefs, to create a wedding that will be special to you and your partner.