The Pueblo tradition of the couple first drinking individually from each side of the vase, and then drinking together to re-enforce the spirit of co-operation.
THE WEDDING VASE
Believed to have originated in South America, the wedding vase has been a part of Pueblo life for centuries. The graceful spouts represent two separate lives. The bridge at the top part of the vessel unites these together as one.
The future husband's parents provide the wedding vase in Indian ceremonies. This happens two weeks before marriage and is a very festive time. Gifts and advice are given to the bride and groom as they prepare to establish their new home together.
On their wedding day, this vase is filled with Indian holy water, which has been blessed by a Shaman or Priest, and given to the bride. She drinks from one side of the vessel while the groom partakes from the opposite side. This ceremony is equivalent to the exchanging of wedding bands.
The couple will cherish their wedding vase throughout their married life.
The vase is filled with water or herbal teas and the couple drink from each side as a toast to their union.
The couple first drink from one side, then the vase is turned and each sip from the other side. Finally, the both drink from the vase at the same time. It is said if the couple can drink from the vase at the same time and not spill a single drop, good understanding and a cooperative spirit will always be a part of their marriage.
Believed to have originated in South America, the wedding vase has been a part of Pueblo life for centuries. The graceful spouts represent two separate lives. The bridge at the top part of the vessel unites these together as one.
The future husband's parents provide the wedding vase in Indian ceremonies. This happens two weeks before marriage and is a very festive time. Gifts and advice are given to the bride and groom as they prepare to establish their new home together.
On their wedding day, this vase is filled with Indian holy water, which has been blessed by a Shaman or Priest, and given to the bride. She drinks from one side of the vessel while the groom partakes from the opposite side. This ceremony is equivalent to the exchanging of wedding bands.
The couple will cherish their wedding vase throughout their married life.
The vase is filled with water or herbal teas and the couple drink from each side as a toast to their union.
The couple first drink from one side, then the vase is turned and each sip from the other side. Finally, the both drink from the vase at the same time. It is said if the couple can drink from the vase at the same time and not spill a single drop, good understanding and a cooperative spirit will always be a part of their marriage.
Apache Ceremony of Love Prayer - or use your own Tribe Prayer
Now you will feel no rain,
For each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
For each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness,
For each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two persons,
But there is one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling
To enter into the days of you life together
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
Bride and Groom, as we celebrate the beginning of your marriage today take to heart these words
For each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
For each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness,
For each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two persons,
But there is one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling
To enter into the days of you life together
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
Bride and Groom, as we celebrate the beginning of your marriage today take to heart these words
Smudging, blanket ceremony, drumming and gifts of tobacco.
(drums/singers/offerings provided by couple)
Native American Wedding ceremony includes the following components:
Smudging: This is done to purify the body mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally using either sage or sweet grass. As the smoke rises into the heavens it carries our prayers and well wishes to the Creator and into the universe.
Opening Prayer: Let us all pray for blessings from the spirit world and the Creator. (Officiant)
Wedding Ceremony
Blanket Ceremony & Binding Wrists: This is done to signify acceptance and blessings from the couples respective families. The binding signifies the couples union in the physical life and also the spiritual realm.
Drumming: Traditional Native American Wedding ceremony drum accompaniment.
Gifting of Tobacco: The tobacco offering is to express the couples sincerity in asking for prayers and to pay their respects to Mother Earth and the medicines used for the smudging. It also opens the doors to the Spirit realm. Tobacco was traditionally held in the highest esteem as it was used in the Chanupa/pipe.
Smudging: This is done to purify the body mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally using either sage or sweet grass. As the smoke rises into the heavens it carries our prayers and well wishes to the Creator and into the universe.
Opening Prayer: Let us all pray for blessings from the spirit world and the Creator. (Officiant)
Wedding Ceremony
Blanket Ceremony & Binding Wrists: This is done to signify acceptance and blessings from the couples respective families. The binding signifies the couples union in the physical life and also the spiritual realm.
Drumming: Traditional Native American Wedding ceremony drum accompaniment.
Gifting of Tobacco: The tobacco offering is to express the couples sincerity in asking for prayers and to pay their respects to Mother Earth and the medicines used for the smudging. It also opens the doors to the Spirit realm. Tobacco was traditionally held in the highest esteem as it was used in the Chanupa/pipe.
Asking for the blessings from the Four Directions
INVOKING THE FOUR DIRECTIONS
In many cultures it is believed that the human soul shares characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the four cardinal directions; East, South, West and North.
It is according to this belief that we align ourselves with these elements. Each of these blessings from the four cardinal directions emphasizes
those things which will help you build a happy and successful union.
[Guests are invited to stand and face the four directions]
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East and the element of Air,
for openness and breath, communication of the heart,
and purity of the mind and body.
From the east you receive the gift of a new beginning
with the rising of each Sun, and the understanding
that each day is a new opportunity for growth.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South and the element of Fire,
for energy, passion, creativity and the warmth of a loving home.
From the fire within you generate light, which you will share
with one another in even the darkest of times.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West, the element of Water,
for your capacity to feel emotion.
In marriage you offer absolute trust to one another,
and vow to keep your hearts open in sorrow as well as joy.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North, the element of Earth,
which provides sustenance, fertility and security.
The earth will feed and enrich you, and help you to build a stable home
to which you may always return.
In many cultures it is believed that the human soul shares characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the four cardinal directions; East, South, West and North.
It is according to this belief that we align ourselves with these elements. Each of these blessings from the four cardinal directions emphasizes
those things which will help you build a happy and successful union.
[Guests are invited to stand and face the four directions]
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East and the element of Air,
for openness and breath, communication of the heart,
and purity of the mind and body.
From the east you receive the gift of a new beginning
with the rising of each Sun, and the understanding
that each day is a new opportunity for growth.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South and the element of Fire,
for energy, passion, creativity and the warmth of a loving home.
From the fire within you generate light, which you will share
with one another in even the darkest of times.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West, the element of Water,
for your capacity to feel emotion.
In marriage you offer absolute trust to one another,
and vow to keep your hearts open in sorrow as well as joy.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North, the element of Earth,
which provides sustenance, fertility and security.
The earth will feed and enrich you, and help you to build a stable home
to which you may always return.
Honoring all Creator, and Mother Earth - for blessings on the marriage
Native American (Cherokee)
"Great Spirit above please protect the ones we love. We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together. We honor Mother Earth and ask for our marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons. We honor fire and ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts. We honor wind and ask that we sail through life safe and calm as in our father's arms. We honor water to clean and soothe our relationship -- that it may never thirst for love. With all the forces of the universe you created, we pray for harmony as we grow forever young together. Amen." (optional)
"Great Spirit above please protect the ones we love. We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together. We honor Mother Earth and ask for our marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons. We honor fire and ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts. We honor wind and ask that we sail through life safe and calm as in our father's arms. We honor water to clean and soothe our relationship -- that it may never thirst for love. With all the forces of the universe you created, we pray for harmony as we grow forever young together. Amen." (optional)
Copyright © 2012
Renee Ukena - Edwardsville, IL
Contact me at [email protected] to discuss your ceremony and start your journey together
Renee Ukena - Edwardsville, IL
Contact me at [email protected] to discuss your ceremony and start your journey together