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