Native American culture celebrates a deep connection and respect for nature. In this article we’ve picked out a few readings and poems that reflect this reverence for the Creator and the Great Spirit. The Native Americans saw the union of marriage as an especially sacred gift of creation, and have poems and readings that reflect this gratitude. If you have Indigenous American heritage, adding one of these readings to a wedding is an excellent way to pay homage to your roots. Also, if you would like to add more traditions to your wedding, check out our article on 10 Native American Wedding Traditions.
Apache Wedding Reading
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 the other.
Now there is no more loneliness,
For each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two bodies,
But there is one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place,
To enter into the days of your togetherness.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
Cherokee Prayer
God in heaven above please protect the ones we love.
We honor all you created as we pledge
our hearts and lives together.
We honor mother-earth – and ask for our marriage to
be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons;
We honor fire – and ask that our union
be warm and glowing with love in our hearts;
We honor wind – and ask we sail though life
safe and calm as in our father’s arms;
We honor water – to clean and soothe our relationship –
that it may never thirsts for love;
With all the forces of the universe you created,
we pray for harmony and true happiness as
we forever grow young together. Amen.
Pueblo Blessing
Hold on to what is good, even if it is a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe, even if it is a tree that stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do, even if it is a long way from here.
Hold on to life, even when it is easier letting go.
Hold on to my hand, even when I have gone away from you.
Lakota Prayer
Teach me how to trust my heart, my mind, my intuition, my inner knowing, the senses of my body, the blessings of my spirit. Teach me to trust these things so that I may enter my sacred space and love beyond my fear and thus walk in balance with the passing of each glorious sun.
Shoshone Wedding Reading
Fair is the white star of twilight, and the sky clearer
at the day’s end, but she is fairer, and she is dearer
She, my heart’s friend.
Fair is the white star of twilight, and the moon roving
to the sky’s end; but she is fairer, better worth loving
She, my heart’s friend.
Native American Directions Blessing
Creator, giver of all life, Bless with your goodness [name] and [name] who come now to join in marriage. Grant that they give their sacred words to each other in the strength of your love. Enable them to grow in love and peace with you and with one another for all their days.
Oh Great Spirit bring the Blessings of the East, the Spirit of Mother Hawk
Bring the blessings of the South, the Spirit of Coyote
Bring the blessings of the West, the Spirit of Mother
Bear Bring the blessings of the North, The Spirit of White Buffalo
Bring the blessings of Mother Earth and Father Sky, and Creator of our souls within.
-Bernard Paul