Cherokee Wedding Attire
For a Cherokee wedding, the bride wears a special style of dress called a “tear dress.” The groom wears a ribbon shirt and black slacks. They both wear moccasins. In lieu of rings, the bride and groom exchange gift baskets.
Wedding Customs
Courtship and Wedding Customs
While love and union are universal, Native American traditions and customs regarding courtship and marriage vary greatly across cultures.
Learn more about Native American traditional courtship and wedding traditions past and present. From the rugged landscapes of the Southwest to the lush forests of the Northeast, Native American tribes have developed their own unique practices to celebrate romantic unions and their rituals foster a deep respect for nature and ancestral connections.
Join us as we discover exciting courtship rituals that have been enjoyed by Native American communities for generations. From symbolic gift exchanges to dramatic dances that convey deep emotions, these rituals speak volumes about love, spirituality and community connection.
As we delve deeper, we will encounter the sacred ceremony that marks the blissful moment of marriage. Discover the deep symbolism embedded in each step, from soul purification rituals to solemn vows connecting two souls. Witness the incredible richness of the traditional outfits, decorated in vibrant colors and exotic flowers, reflecting the cultural pride and identity of each tribe.
We will focus on the diversity of Native American courtships and marriages, and acknowledge the many ways tribes honor their traditions. By gaining insight into these age-old practices, we foster an appreciation for the values of unity, respect and cooperation that underpin Native American communities.
While we celebrate love stories and alliances that have stood the test of time, we also recognize the challenges Native American communities face in preserving their traditions.
Read MoreCherokee Wedding Attire
Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Marriage Customs
The usual marriage customs of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians in selecting and obtaining their wives, was as follows:
When one of them was inclined to marry, and having seen one with whom he was particularly pleased, he kept loitering about her place of residence, until opportunity offered to communicate, in secret, the wish of his heart: generally after this style: "I wish to wed with you," or, "We are to be married;" and the reply of the fair one, invariably, was, "It is well." "I will inform my parents, and you shall know." The girl then gave the information to her father and mother, and if the proposal were agreeable, the suitor was admitted to the house as a visitor.
The Shawnee marriage dance
Allan W. Eckert, describing the marriage of Blue Jacket and Wabethe, gives this explanation of the Shawnee marriage dance. The Shawnee marriage dance was held in late evening, while onlookers took seats on the ground in a broad oval before a fire that had been built in the principal clearing of the village.
Third Native American tribe OKs same-sex marriage
The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians are now the the third Native American tribe to legalize same-sex marriage.
How does the wedding vase ceremony go?
Question: I am a non-denominational wedding minister in North Carolina. I have a bridal couple that want to include the wedding vase in their ceremony. Do you have the wording that you can share for this ceremony? We would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you. –Submitted by Bonnie C.
Cherokee Wedding Customs
Cherokee wedding customs dictated that relatives and friends follow as the couple entered the sacred council fire area. The bride wore a white dress and white moccasins, usually made from deer or elk skins. The groom wore a roe-colored ribbon shirt, black pants and moccasins.