Native American Wedding Traditions
In just about every culture in the world, weddings are a time to celebrate. Love, responsibility and the expansion of the family are all held in high esteem during the day of the ceremony. So, too, is it with a Native American wedding and Native American wedding traditions.
Bearing witness to one Native American wedding, however, only begins to reveal the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many Native American wedding traditions. The reality is there are many different tribes, each with their own customs, religions and traditions. With this in mind, not all Native American weddings or Native American wedding ceremonies are the same. There are some commonalities, however.
While the intricate details of a Native American wedding ceremony might vary from tribe to tribe, along with Native American wedding blessing recitals, the elaborateness of the ceremonies is a tie that tends to bind. Most Native American wedding vows will vary between tribes, but the detailed work of the Native American wedding dresses, along with the use of handmade Native American wedding jewelry is fairly consistent. Native American wedding jewelry that is traditional can range from silver to highly detailed pieces that include gemstones, as well. The Native American wedding dress might be made of hides or cloth, but it is generally quite heavily adorned with Native American wedding jewelry-like bead and gem work. These typically are works of art in and of themselves.
Exactly what takes place in a Native American wedding ceremony will depend on the individual couple in question and the tribe or tribes from which they originate. Inasmuch, Native American wedding quotes can vary, but will tend to include solemn promises for the brides and grooms along with blessings for their union.
Some weddings might include the use of rings and bands. Native American wedding rings and Native American wedding bands, when exchanged by brides and grooms, can take on a modern air or they might recall an earlier time when these pieces of Native American wedding jewelry were handmade by tribal artisans.
No matter the type of Native American wedding in question, it’s likely spectators will find the beauty of the handiwork almost impossible to believe. Pictures of Native American wedding dress designs are typically quite spectacular, as are the ceremonies during which they are worn.
With so many different tribes, those wishing to host a traditional Native American wedding ceremony will need to do some research in advance. The customs and procedures can be quite different from tribe to tribe.