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 to get married at Manataka fill out this questionnaire.

 Do not complete this form it you do not plan to marry at Manataka.   

*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?
Do you want 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?

         

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. 

Manataka Teepee:  If the proposed wedding is to take place inside the boundaries of the National Park, the Manataka Medicine Lodge Teepee is available to serve as the wedding lodge for ceremonies only.  The cover of the lodge is raised to approximately 7' creating a colorful canopy over the fire circle and altar.  Time  allowed for the for displaying the teepee is four (4) hours for the ceremony only.  Call 501-627-0555 if you have checked "Yes" to reserve the Manataka Medicine Lodge.

 

Other teepees may be leased and picked up off National Park grounds and transported to the campgrounds by the wedding party for camping.  There is a $10 per night camping fee payable to the National Park.  Currently, reservations for camp sites cannot be made in advance.  

 

If the wedding ceremony is to take place anywhere else except the National Park, rules for the use of the Medicine Lodge are more liberal.  Again, Call 501-627-0555 if you have checked "Yes" to reserve the Manataka Medicine Lodge.

 

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.  A gift to the officiating elder is acceptable, but again not required.  

 

Ceremonies in the National Park (Manataka):

The National Park Service requires a Special Use Permit to be completed in advance of the planned date.  No ceremonies may take place without an approved permit.  A non-refundable application fee applies. The fee ranges 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.  There are no special use permits required outside the boundaries of the National Park.

 

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

 

Lodging:  Motels, hotels, condos, lake cabins are available and prices vary.   Check with your wedding counselor for booking arrangements and costs.  

 

Photographer:  MAIC can arrange for a professional photographer to the be present. You are responsible for finalizing the arrangements and payment for this service.  A volunteer photographer is available by special arrangement.

 

Other ItemsArrangements 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: We ask that you visit http://www.manataka.org/page201.html to make at least a fifty percent (50%) deposit for the services you want reserved for your wedding ceremony.   Wedding ceremonies are confirmed only after a deposit has been made.  Scroll down to the Wedding Deposit payment button and complete the simple form.  Note: many services are not available inside the boundaries of the National Park.

 


 

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.)

Looking for Wedding or Traditional Regalia?

 

WEDDING REGALIA BY SILVERSMITH

 


NEW BOOK!

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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