Native American Vows for Families

 

We are gathered her today to witness the coming together of two people, (Groom’s name)____________ and (Bride’s name)____________whose hearts and spirits are entwined as one.  They now desire to profess before all the world their intention henceforth to walk the road of life together.

 

This marriage is an event in the lifetime of a love.  Love is always patient and kind, it is never jealous, love is never boastful or conceited, it is never rude or selfish, it does not take offense, and is not resentful.  Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth, it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.  Love does not come to an end.

 

The happiness of the one person, in all the world, whom you love best is vital.  You are adding to your life not only the affection of each other, but also the companionship and blessing of a deep trust as well.  You are agreeing to share strength, responsibilities, and to share love.  What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for life, to strengthen each other in all labor, to rest on each other in sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain?

 

Neither I, nor all society, can join these two lovers today.  Only they can do what they have chosen.  They are joining themselves, each to the other.  As they find union with one another, they proclaim that union today and pledge its future.  We, by our participation in this celebration, do but recognize and honor their intention to live together as husband and wife.

 

Please turn and face each other, holding hands and repeat after me……

 

GROOM:  “I promise you (Bride’s name)____________that I will be your loving and loyal husband from now on.  That I will share with you all of life’s joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, from this day forward.”

 

BRIDE:  “I promise you (Groom’s name)____________ that I will be your loving and loyal wife from now on.  That I will share with you all of life’s joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, from this day forward.”

 

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love.  It is a seal of the vows the two of you have made to one another. 

 

 

Let us pray. 

 

Bless O God these rings that (Groom’s name)____________ and (Bride’s name)____________who give them, and who wear them, may ever abide in thy peace.  Living together in unity, love and happiness for the rest of their lives.  Amen.

 

(Bride’s name)____________, please pass your flowers aside.  (Groom’s name)____________, please repeat after me placing (Bride’s name)____________’s ring on the 3rd finger of her left hand.

 

“(Groom’s name)____________,  I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you.  With this ring I thee wed”

 

(Bride’s name)____________, please repeat after me placing (Groom’s name)____________’s  ring on the 3rd finger of his left hand.

 

“(Bride’s name)____________I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you.  With this ring I thee wed”

 

Often marriage is viewed as the union of two persons. In reality, marriage is much broader. It is always a joining of families.  Recognition of Children as part of the family nature of this marriage, we recognize (Groom’s name)____________ and his/her/their importance in this family.

 

(Groom’s name)____________ and (Bride’s name)____________, Please repeat after the me,

 

With a presentation of (this/these, pendants/rings/lapel pins/flowers) to you, (Children’s name(s)____________, we pledge to you, our continuing love, even as we surround you with our arms of support, providing to you happiness and security, we love you now and always.

 

Let us pray….

 

We give thanks, O Lord, for the relationship here celebrated. In your presence we are humbled by the recognition that today we face a new future, one which love has unfolded and is unfolding before our very eyes....

 

 

I would like now, to add at this moment, a blessing from our native Indians, who named this very special place, Tahoe, lake of the sky:

 

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other. 

Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to each other.

Now you will feel no loneliness, for you will be a companion to the other. 

Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you. 

Go now to your dwelling place, to enter the days of your life together. 

And may your days be good, and long upon the earth.

 

Because they have so affirmed, in love and knowledge of the other, and with the power invested in me from the state of California, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.

 

(Groom’s name)____________ You may now kiss your wife.