A few different tribes, notably both the Cherokee and Pueblo
people, celebrate a vase ritual as part of their wedding
ceremonies. Pueblo wedding vases are identifiable by the two
spouts they have that are joined together by a handle. The
two spouts represent the individual lives of each to-be-wed
and the handle signifies the couple coming together in their
new life together as married partners.
Historically, the groom's family would make the vase one to
two weeks before the marriage ceremony. The groom and his
family would take the vase to the bride's home to present it to
her and her family. Then, as part of the presentation of the
vase, the couple's parents would offer marriage advice to the
to-be-weds.
On a wedding day, the vase is filled with Indian holy water
and then presented to the bride to drink from. After she takes
a sip she passes it to the groom to drink, after which the two
are bound together in marriage. During Cherokee weddings
that include the vase ritual, the couple will try to drink out of
the vase together. If they're successful without spilling a
single drop then they can expect to experience mutual
understanding throughout the course of their marriage.
Indian wedding vases are cherished possessions never to be
sold. However, if one spouse passes away before the other,
traditionally the vase may be gifted to another married couple
as a way of celebrating the happy marriage the couple had
while offering well wishes to the new couple.
The blanket ceremony is commonly practiced during
Cherokee weddings. During this ceremony, the mothers of the
couple will bring blue blankets and drape them over their
children's shoulders. The blue blanket symbolizes the sorrow
of their lives prior to their union in marriage.
Later in the ceremony, either the officiant or close relatives of
the couple will step forward carrying a white blanket. They will
remove the blue blankets and then drape the large white
blanket over the shoulders of the couple, symbolizing a
covering over of their weaknesses and sorrows. Now the
couple can enter their new life of marriage joined with peace
and fulfillment.
Fire is considered sacred within many Native American tribes
and is celebrated at weddings in a myriad of ways. In the
ceremonies of some tribes, sage or other ritualistic flowers will
be used during smudging. During this custom, the smoke is
meant to cleanse the couple and their officiant. The smoke
also helps carry their wedding prayers to the Creator. Schwab
explains that during many Native American wedding
ceremonies "two tipis are placed for the couple to walk from.
The couple will then meet in the middle showing the
connection. Sage is usually burnt to cleanse the air and
prepare the couple for their path together."
Historically, in weddings within the Cherokee Nation, three
separate fires are made from the wood of seven different
types of trees. One fire is prepared in the center of the
ceremony space and this fire represents both the Creator and
the couple's wedded union. The other two fires are places to
the south and north of the central fire and these two
represent the individual lives that the couple had before their
union.
Chikeeh Talker, owner of One Love at a Time Events in
Colorado, is a member of the Navajo people and explains that
it is traditional for couples to wear "traditional turquoise
jewelry and blankets made specifically for them," on the
wedding day. Talker goes on to note that couples will often
also don "heirlooms that were passed down to them as well."
Food is a central part of the ceremonies of many Native
American tribes. While the inclusion of food takes a different
form from tribe to tribe, the symbolism of provision generally
remains consistent across the board. Notably, the Navajo
people include cornmeal mush in their ceremonies.
Meanwhile, members of the Cherokee Nation eat both corn
and venison during the wedding as part of the basket
ceremony.
During the basket ceremony at Cherokee weddings, the
mother of the bride will present her daughter with a basket
that contains an ear of corn or a loaf of bread. Meanwhile, the
mother of the groom will present her son with a basket that
contains a leg of cooked venison. Later on in the ceremony,
the bride will present the corn to the groom to symbolize her
commitment to their marriage and building a home together
as partners. The groom then offers the bride the basket of
cooked venison to similarly symbolize his commitment to their
marriage and working together to protect their family from
harm
Navajo wedding ceremonies are traditionally held in the round
inside a Hogan. Talker explains that a Navajo wedding
ceremony is "held in a Hogan with a traditional basket with
cornmeal and corn pollen placed in the middle of the
ceremony. Attendees all sit clockwise, with the groom's family
on the left and bride's on the right. The bride and groom wash
each others' hands with water from a gourd. The corn is then
spread into a circular shape that represents different cardinal
directions and symbolizes various stages and journeys in life.
The couple will eat pinches of the cornmeal mush from the
south, west, and northern directions ending with the middle.
The remaining corn is passed to the groom's family to finish
although the basket never leaves the front of the couple."
Talker goes on to explain that "the circle is left open to the
east to represent 'an entrance and exit for the way of life.' You
will see the clockwise direction and circles in the ceremonies
very often."
Hopi grooms generally wear a garment that consists of a large
belt, two all-white wedding robes and a white wedding robe
with red stripes at the top and bottom, finished with deerskin
leggings and moccasins.
