Manataka American Indian Council

 

 

 

 

Manataka

WEDDINGS

 

 

 

Wedding Questionnaire Example Ceremony
Marriage Laws Wedding Regalia
Wedding Planning Wedding Stories
Wedding Customs Wedding Consulting

 

 

 

 

Wedding Ceremony

Questionnaire

 

If you would like your wedding ceremony officiated by a licensed American Indian Spiritual Elder

Fill out this questionnaire.

You should have a firm date and location before completing this form

*Denotes Required Fields

 

*  Bride Full Name:

* Groom Full Name:

*  Address:

* Address:
*  City: * City:
*  State/ Prov: * State/ Prov:
* Zip Code: * Zip Code:
Country: Country:
*  Home Phone:   * Home Phone:
* Email Address:   * Email Address:  
Race/Tribe: Race/Tribe:
Religion: Religion:
* Age:   * Age:
*  Date of Birth:   * Date of Birth:
Place of Birth: Place of Birth:
*  Ceremony Date:    * Arrival Date:
* Ceremony Location:

    

Departure Date:
Motel/Hotel Lodging Required?

Yes     No 

 Number in party?
Need Professional Photographer?

Yes     No

 How Many Rooms?
Who Will Officiate Ceremonies? Who Will Counsel You?
Would you like drummers and singers?

Yes    No

 Is the U.S. National Park Service Special Use Permit approved?

Yes    No

If yes, we need a copy.
Will the traditional Blanket Ceremony be performed?

Yes    No

See Blanket Ceremony

 Will the Wedding Vase Ceremony be performed?

Yes    No

See Vase Ceremony
Will you compose wedding vows? Yes    No Will the Seven Steps Ceremony be performed? Yes    No

See 7 Steps Ceremony
Do you want the Sacred Fire Ceremony  

Yes    No

See Fire Ceremony

 Will Wedding Baskets be exchanged?

Yes    No

See Baskets Ceremony
Will the Bride give a wedding ring? Yes    No Will the Groom give a wedding ring? Yes    No
Do you want to be contacted about a Wedding Dress? 

Yes   No

See Silversmith Regalia

 Do you want to be contacted about Groom's Regalia?

Yes    No

See Silversmith Regalia

What do you envision your wedding to be like?

         

 

HELPFUL INFORMATION

MAIC does not arrange transportation and wedding services such as catering, floral, wedding attire rentals, printing, media announcements, or honeymoon.  MAIC can arrange ceremony officials, witnesses, lodging and photographer at no fee.  Your personal wedding counselor will contact you about the details of the most important day in your life. 

Ceremonies:  Elders do not charge for ceremonies.  It is acceptable to make a contribution to MAIC for its volunteer services, however, it is not required.  Hand-made gifts for your officiating elder is always appreciated.

 

 

Ceremonies on the Sacred Manataka Mountain:

No permit is required.  Good walking shoes are required and most areas are not accessible by a wheelchair.  15 minutes brisk walking distance. 

 

Ceremonies at the National Park Fire Circle or Amphitheater:

These locations are recommended only for large wedding parties, however, It is not required for the ceremony to take place at either of these locations. 

 

The National Park Service requires a Special Use Permit to be completed in advance of the planned date.  A non-refundable application fee applies ranging from $50 for a two-hour event to $100 for a four-hour event.  Call the National Park Service and send the application and the fee early to reserve a date and time.  The fee only applies to the ceremony only and does not cover campsite fees.  There will be an additional fee if electricity is required.  Call Hot Springs National Park at 501-623-2824.

 

You may print off a copy of the permit application and send it to the address shown on the application.  MAIC cannot perform this task for you.  NPS Special Use Permit

 

Note: The current Hot Springs National Park Superintendent discourages American Indian religious ceremonies.  Some services are not available inside the boundaries of the National Park.  No special use permits required outside the boundaries of the National Park.

 

 

Ceremonies in Other States and Locations:

Manataka Elders are licensed to perform ceremonies in all states and some foreign countries.  Travel, lodging and food expense is the responsibility of the wedding party.  It is customary for the officiating elder to require the services of one or two assistants.   

 

Lodging:  Motels, hotels, condos, lake cabins are available and prices vary. Call the Hot Springs Visitors and Convention Bureau 800-543-2284  for a visitor packet or log on to http://www.hotsprings.org/

 

Photographer:  MAIC can arrange for a professional photographer to the be present. You are responsible for finalizing the arrangements and payment for this service.  An experienced Manataka photographer is available at $75 using your camera and film.

 

Singers / Drummers / Dancers:  It is customary to have at least two singers and drummers in regalia to perform traditional songs during the ceremony.  Arrangements must be made in advance. Fees vary according to the date and time, but generally range between $50 and $100 each. 

 

Other Items:  Arrangements for all other items such as floral decorations, wedding regalia, blankets, wedding bowels and vases, travel, and personal gifts are the responsibility of the couple and their families, however, MAIC is happy to assist with these items.  

 

Deposits:  Go to http://www.manataka.org/page201.html to submit deposits for the services. Wedding ceremonies are confirmed only after a deposit has been made.  Scroll down to the Wedding Deposit payment button and complete the simple form. 

 

 

Arkansas Marriage License Rules:

Documents Required

Age Requirements for Arkansas

 

EXAMPLE CEREMONY

Entrance

Ceremony

(A fire has previously been started in the fire circle by the spiritual leader using seven sacred woods and blessed with smudging.)

Vows may be given in a number of ways.  The words may be composed by the couple, taken from traditional ceremonies according to the couples religious beliefs, or vows may delivered by the spiritual leader.  Your wedding counselor will confirm your intentions prior to your arrival.          

(A Fire Ceremony may be inserted at this point.)

 

(A Ring Ceremony may be inserted at this point.)

 

(A Blanket Ceremony may be inserted at this point.)

 

(A Wedding Vase Ceremony may be inserted at this point.)

 

The Basket Ceremony, the Rite of the Seven Steps or other gifting ceremony may be inserted at this point. If the ceremony is conducted in the tipi wedding lodge, the entourage forms a processional behind the spiritual leader and the couple and walks slowly to the sacred fire circle with the beat of the drum, pausing at each of the seven steps down into the circle to offer a prayer.)

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Native American Courtship and Marriage Traditions

by Leslie Gourse

A specialist in music biographies and jazz histories, Gourse here sets off in a new direction with a treatment of love, courtship, marriage, and family traditions among several North American tribes, including the Hopi, Navajo, Iroquois, and Oglala Sioux. She describes old traditions and their evolution during modern times, and provides hints for brides and grooms who would like to incorporate these customs into their wedding ceremonies. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.  Hippocrene Books, Inc. Soft Cover, 119pp.   $14.95

Not available until June 2005!

 

 

 

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