Kokopelli Wedding Vase 10 1/2" High — $81

Kokopelli Wedding Vase 7 1/2" High — $61

The wedding season is upon us, and with it comes the eternal question: What to give the bride and groom? China, silverware, crystal and-of course-money will always be appreciated and will never go out of style. But if you wish to celebrate the couple's commitment in a way that will always be remembered, nothing could be more perfect than a unique, handmade Native American wedding vase.

The wedding vase, which is integral to the culture of many Southwestern Indian tribes, is beautiful in both form and symbolism. The idea is simplicity itself: one vessel with two spouts-just as the lives of the man and wife will be after their wedding day. In the traditional Native American ceremony, pure water is placed in the vase, which is then given to the bride. She drinks from one spout, then turns the vase around and hands it to the groom. He drinks from the other spout. They are then united as one.

Large Horsehair Vase with Turquoise —7 1/2" High $85

Small Horsehair Vase with Turquoise — 5 1/2" High $55

The vase is treasured by the couple throughout t heir married life. It is displayed in their home, and carefully protected. It is never broken, discarded or destroyed. Should one of them outlive the other, the remaining person gives the vase to a couple known to be living a happily married life. The people receiving this gift are greatly honored by it.

In the Southwest, wedding vases are frequently given and deeply appreciated. But in parts of the country not familiar with this custom, a wedding vase is likely to be the finest surprise in all the couple's gifts. Marriage is a time of deep emotion and great trust in the future. The wedding vase, so symbolic of everything marriage stands for, will be prized by the couple, who will enjoy it all over again each time they explain it to their friends.

The SFAOL.com store features a carefully chosen selection of Native American wedding vases, any of which will be shipped to you Bear and Bird Wedding Vase^101 at no additional cost when you order online with a credit card. Please remember that because all our vases are handmade by individual artists, no two will be exactly alike. Thus the ones pictured on our site may be somewhat different than the one you receive. What will be the same, however, is the powerful and emotional-and unforgettable-statement you make with this perfect gift.

Wedding Vase with Blue $55 7 1/2" High

Wedding Vase with Terra Cotta Shading $55 7 1/2" High

Wedding Vase with Turquoise $55 7 1/2" High

STORY OF THE WEDDING VASE

Usually a week or two before they are married by a priest, the future husband's parents make the Wedding Vase.

When the vase has been made, the husband, along with his parents and all his relatives go to the bride's house. The bride brings out everything she will need to establish their new home together: clothing, utensils, mattress, moccasins, corn and any other homemaking essentials, including her white manta wedding dress.

The parents of both the bride and the groom give the young couple advice to help them have a happy and successful marriage.

Indian holy water is placed in the wedding vase, and the vase is turned around and given to the bride.

She drinks from one side of the vase, turns it around again, and gives it to the groom, who then drinks from the opposite side. This ceremony unites them as one.

The couple will treasure the Vase throughout their married life. Should one of them outlive the other, the remaining person will give the vase to a couple known to be living a happily married life.

The wedding vase is treasured and protected always-it is never broken, discarded or destroyed.

As told by Margaret Gutierrez, a famous potter of the Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico.

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