Member "bearfat" getting married Indian style needs advice for ceremony

[bearfat]

I've been married to "Two Feathers" for 30 years next month. She is part Cherokee Indian. We want to celebrate the anniversary exchanging vows again in an Indian marriage ceremony. This is a picture of us right after I brought her home from the Res 30 years ago.   



The whole thing has taken a life of it's own and many more people want to come than I expected, despite it being held at my rat shack cabin in Northern Minnesota, which has no electricity, and an out house. http://buckmountainchateau.com/

I had forgotten how "sacred" the wedding day is for a woman and I am living my marriage literally all over again. I'm stuck now guys and I have a month to pull this off.

She is ordering an official Indian wedding dress and I have been given permission to wear something from the 1850 time period give or take 40 years. I wanted a mountain man look like Jeremiah Johnson but I'm leaning for Clint Eastwood with the poncho look. I might have the desert eagle in a leather holster under the poncho (I am allowed some modern deviation.)

I'm looking for idea's to pull this thing off. I'm making a bear claw necklace (killed it myself) to present to her and I guess she's making some small leather bag for my blackpowder stuff. I forget what they call it..."necessary bag"?

Anyway what would you do if you were in my position? (other than move to the cabin)

I need idea's for the ceremony. We've got some Indian prayers and stuff we'll be reading but like I say I'm open for idea's esp since I've got people to entertain and they will be expecting a show of sorts.

[weasel]

Congrats, bf, when I was preparing to git hitched, an Indian friend kept asking when we were going to  "jump over  the broom", turns out there was a broom for us to jump across at the church. Musta worked, have never been happier. Still have the broom, should I send it your way? Should still have some  good ju-ju left in it.

[GRIMJIM]

Can't help with the wedding but I think it's a possibles bag.

[burntmuch]

Cant help with the ceromony. But as far as entertaining guests, Something dead cooking over an open fire might be a good place to start

[quickdtoo]

I've attended a couple traditional native american/Christian wedding ceremonies, if there is such a thing anymore. Both included a lodge(tipi) and a meal cooked traditionally on a fire, attire was traditional pre-1840, the bride wore a deer skin dress, men wore their nicest duds too. Smoked the pipe as it was passed among the entire party, guests too. I have some pics of one of em, I'll get em scanned and posted for ya.  Here's a couple sites that may give you some ideas.

Tim

http://www.aaanativearts.com/cherokee/cherokee-wedding.htm?name=News&file=article&sid=135

http://www.weddingdetails.com/lore/native.cfm

Old Cherokee Wedding Traditions

The Cherokee wedding ceremony is a very beautiful event, whether it is the old fashoned, or 'ancient' ceremony or a modern one. The original ceremony differed from clan to clan and community to community, but basically used the same ritual elements.

Because clanship is matrilineal in the Cherokee society, it is forbidden to marry within one’s own clan. Because the woman holds the family clan, she is represented at the ceremony by both her mother (or clan mother) and oldest brother. The brother stands with her as his vow to take the responsibility of teaching the children in spiritual and religious matters, as that is the traditional role of the ‘uncle’ (e-du-tsi). In ancient times, they would meet at the center of the townhouse, and the groom gave the bride a ham of venison while she gave an ear of corn to him, then the wedding party danced and feasted for hours on end. Venison symbolized his intention to keep meat in the household and her corn symbolized her willing to be a good Cherokee housewife. The groom is accompanied by his mother.

After the sacred spot for the ceremony has been blessed for seven consecutive days, it is time for the ceremony. The bride and groom approach the sacred fire, and are blessed by the priest and/or priestess. All participants of the wedding, including guests are also blessed. Songs are sung in Cherokee, and those conducting the ceremony bless the couple. Both the Bride and Groom are covered in a blue blanket. At the right point of the ceremony, the priest or priestess removes each blue blanket, and covers the couple together with one white blanket, indicating the beginning of their new life together.

Note: This excerpt is taken from www.cherokee.org.

[powderman]

BEARFAT. Congrats to 30 great years, my wife and I have made it 27. I'm no help here but  thoroughly enjoyed all of your pics and the other websites listed by others. Please send pics of your wedding, I'm sure I'm not the only one that will enjoy them. POWDERMAN. 

[bearfat]

Sorry I didn't get a post back guys esp to all of you that tried helping me. The wedding was a wet weekend but fun. Couple friends and some family cancelled due to sickness but it was actually just about right for size. Here's a few pics:




The ceremony site and fire bowl...ever see one that big?

Sparky on point...note excellent body form as he remains frozen so as to not spook his prey

Me and Two Feathers

Here's a link of us coming into the cabin on ATV's which was the only way to get into cabin.
http://s94.photobucket.com/albums/l89/dmkilbride/?action=view&current=buckmt10-7xp1196.flv

And if you want to see more pics and read about the ceremony and symbolism we used here's a link to more:  http://buckmountainchateau.com/indianwedding2007.html

Again thanks for all the feedback, and if you want a cheap fun way to renew your vows well here you go.

[powderman]

BEARFAT. Thank you so much for the great pics and websites. My wife looked at the pics too and said that your lovely bride looked as if she had been spoiled rotten, believe me, she knows the look.  . Good luck to you and your lovely bride. Charlie.