| Native Americans enjoy a strong and rich | | | | companion and your days together be good |
| cultural heritage that still permeates | | | | and long upon the earth." |
| many parts of their everyday lives, and | | | | Cherokee Blessing |
| particularly of those special moments. | | | | God in heaven above please protect the |
| Many young Native Americans want a | | | | ones we love. |
| ceremony that not only keeps with modern | | | | We honor all you created as we pledge |
| traditions and celebrations, but that | | | | our hearts and lives together. |
| also includes a connection to their | | | | We honor mother-earth - and ask for our |
| heritage, to make their wedding a | | | | marriage to be abundant and grow |
| cultural event that honors both the | | | | stronger through the seasons; |
| present celebration and the past. | | | | We honor fire - and ask that our union |
| There are many online resources to find | | | | be warm and glowing with love in our |
| some traditional, or "modern | | | | hearts; |
| traditional" blessings and vows that are | | | | We honor wind - and ask we sail though |
| individual to a tribe. Soon to be | | | | life safe and calm as in our father's |
| newlyweds who are Native American could | | | | arms; |
| talk to a local tribal council, or other | | | | We honor water - to clean and soothe our |
| resources to find something suitable. | | | | relationship - that it may never thirsts |
| There are websites with long lists of | | | | for love; |
| ceremonies that do not seem to be solely | | | | With all the forces of the universe you |
| for one group. Two of the most | | | | created, we pray for harmony and true |
| beautiful Native blessings are the | | | | happiness as we forever grow young |
| Apache and the Cherokee, and example of | | | | together. |
| each which follows: | | | | Amen. |
| Apache Blessing | | | | These are only two of many examples of |
| "Now you will feel no rain, for each of | | | | what is available, and this is not just |
| you will be shelter for the other. Now | | | | limited to Native Americans. There are |
| you will feel no cold, for each of you | | | | Medieval ceremonies, old Celtic or |
| will be warmth to the other. Now there | | | | Celtic Christian ceremonies. As more |
| will be no loneliness, for each of you | | | | and more people become interested in |
| will be companion to the other. Now you | | | | their backgrounds, the demand for these |
| are two persons, but there is only one | | | | traditional vows increase, and add a |
| life before you. May beauty surround you | | | | beauty, elegance, and tradition to the |
| both in the journey ahead and through | | | | ceremony that all can admire. |
| all the years, May happiness be your | | | | |