No matter where you live in the world, weddings are significant events where couples are united using rituals and traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Few cultures are as connected to their roots as Native Americans. Although this term refers to a variety of tribes, they are connected by common cultural symbols and traditions.

So whether you are a member of a tribe or want to honor your indigenous roots, there are many ways to do so with respect. Here is everything you need to know about Native American wedding traditions.

Important Cultural Symbols at Native American Weddings

This happy couple blend the bride’s Native American culture with traditional Western wedding imagery. Photo Credit: Offbeat Wed

There are many different Native American tribes across America. They include:

Choctaw
Navajo Nation
Cherokee
Sioux
Seminole
Creek
Apache
Seminole
Blackfeet

While there are many different tribes, ethnic groups, and subgroups within each tribe, they share some common symbols that form a connecting thread between them.

For example, the feather, which represents loyalty and truth, can be found on traditional wedding clothing and decor.

Corn stands for growth and fertility and is often featured in the wedding ceremony and the feast after the couple exchanged vows. Finally, circles represent unity between two families, so you’ll see a lot of circle motifs within the decor.

As we discuss different wedding traditions, it’s important to remember that each tribe has its own unique practices. The rituals we discuss are general practices and may look different depending on where in the country the indigenous population resides.

Traditional Native American Wedding Attire

A bride and groom show off their Native American wedding outfits that blend modern with traditional. Photo Credit: Laura Ellingson McLaren

As with many cultures, Native American brides and grooms each have special garments and accessories they wear on their special day. The couple usually dresses in tribal regalia. This means they will wear shirts, trousers, and dresses that represent their tribal identity.

Brides will wear patterns and colors that represent her people. Red and white are often combined, as red symbolizes passion while white stands for purity.

She will also wear eagle feathers in her hair, as well as culturally significant jewelry, depending on what tribe she belongs to.

The groom will wear similarly representative garments. Typically, their outfit will consist of black pants, a red shirt, ribbons in their hair, and moccasins. This outfit and the colors will vary depending on the tribe. However, many will wear traditional deerskin pieces as well.

Modern couples will incorporate elements of their tribal identity into more Western wedding outfits. They may wear special headpieces, jewelry, or belts.

Additionally, they may customize their bouquet and boutonniere to represent their cultural identity.

Before the Wedding Ceremony

Smudging with sage is a scared Native American cleansing ritual. Photo Credit: Erika Green Photography.

Sage & Smudging

Sage is an important herb across many indigenous tribes. When dried and combined with local flowers, couples, and their families will burn the bundles before and during the wedding to cleanse the couple’s spirits, as well as the officiant of the wedding.

Fire is a sacred element to Native Americans. The smoke is believed to carry the wedding prayers to the Creator and cleanse the couple’s path forward to their new life.

Sometimes, each family will burn their own sage in two neighboring structures as the couple walks each other to meet, showing their new connection. After the wedding, couples will routinely smudge their household to chase away evil spirits and cleanse the space.

Exchanging Gifts

Whether the couple comes from the same tribe or represents the union of two different regional groups, the families will exchange pieces of local regalia.

Drums, jewelry, and decor, often handmade and full of color, will be gifted to either side. These pieces will be displayed in the family home to reprise

The Role of Family

Family is at the center of all Native American traditions. The couple will each have a set of sponsors, which are family members who help the couple through the wedding planning process and during the wedding itself. These are important elders and close family members who also offer marital advice to the young couple.

Usually, the wedding ceremony is a more private affair, with only the bride, groom, and their immediate family in attendance.

But extended family plays a large role in the reception to help celebrate and support the happy couple. They will bring modern and traditional gifts to shower the couple with abundance so they start their life off on the right foot.

Gathering Turquoise Jewelry

Natives who hail from the western area of America value traditional turquoise and silver jewelry.

Couples will purchase necklaces, hair pins, cufflinks, and other items for their wedding outfits and inherit some from older family members. They will wear these with pride on their wedding day.

Wedding Day Rituals

A couple participates in a Native American blanket ceremony. Photo Credit: Libby Haydin

The Procession of the Groom

In Western weddings, the bride will process down the aisle towards her groom. This isn’t always the case for Native American weddings.

In some tribes, the groom joins the bride’s tribe, rather than her joining his. Matriarchal tribes will have the groom “walk the aisle” to the bride, trailed by important family members.

The symbolism shows that he is stepping away from his previous obligations to focus solely on his new family.

The Blanket Ceremony

This beautiful ritual takes place at the start of the ceremony. The mothers of the happy couple will drape blue blankets over their children’s shoulders. This represents how sorrowful their lives were before they found each other.

Later on, close relatives selected by the bride and groom or the officiant will carry a white blanket to the couple. They will take off their blue blankets and wrap the large white blanket over themselves together.

This represents their union in their new marriage and is said to bring fulfillment and peace to them.

The Vase Ceremony

This ritual can be found in a variety of tribes, like the Pueblo and Cherokee. The wedding vase is often made by the groom’s family or a local artisan. It would be given to the bride and her family before the ceremony.

During the wedding ceremony, the vase is filled with holy water and presented to the bride. She will drink from it and then pass it to the groom, who takes a sip.

In some tribes, the vase will have two spouts, so the couple can drink from it at the same time. After this, they are considered officially wed.

Wedding Reception Traditions

This wedding uses traditional Native American symbols to connect with nature. Photo Credit: Offbeat Wed

Celebrating Nature

Once the vows are exchanged, the families of the happy couple will come together to celebrate the new union and each other.

Usually, the wedding celebration will take place outdoors in honor of nature. This could look like an outdoor reception, an afternoon picnic, or an evening spent outside.

Natural elements play a big part in the reception decor. You can expect to find feathers, handmade baskets, and other important items displayed around the space and on the tables.

Baskets of Abundance

Basket ceremonies are often held at the start of the wedding reception. The bride’s mother will present her with a basket filled with corn, bread, and other important items. The groom’s mother will give her son a basket with cooked venison or another locally sourced meat.

Later on, the happy couple will present their backs to each other to symbolize their commitment to their new family and the idea that the families will provide for and protect each other.

Exchanging Food

Wedding food is an integral part of Native American wedding receptions The couple’s families will exchange baskets of carefully prepared foods to show that they are supporting the union. This food will be used to serve the wedding guests and fuel the celebration.

The food served will represent the culture of the bride and groom. Modern couples will often offer traditional dishes with an updated flair and more Western dishes.

A Gift of a Horse

Historically, horses were a common wedding gift at a Native American wedding. The groom and his family would give a horse to the bride’s family as a symbol of gratitude for the happy union and to show honor.

While some couples still gift horses, other gifts, like food, jewelry, and decor have taken the place of these majestic creatures, especially if the family isn’t equipped to care for horses.

Concluding the Traditions

Native American traditions are deep-rooted in nature, family, and respect for days past. If you are looking to incorporate these rituals into your special day, remember to do so with respect.

Do your research and implement each tradition the way it was intended. Be sure to show honor and give credit to the tribe who founded each ritual.

Incorporating these beautiful traditions into your wedding day will make it even more meaningful and help you connect to your family’s past.

Meaningful Native American Wedding Traditions