If you’re dreaming of a “nontraditional wedding,” it doesn’t necessarily mean that traditions are absent. It means you choose which traditions resonate with you and celebrate your community!

Newlyweds smile in front of their wedding reception venue, with a traditional native american blanket draped over their shoulders — LifeSlice Photography

For their wedding in August of 2025, Rachel & Bryan chose to honor Rachel’s Native American heritage with a few meaningful traditions.

A native american teepee provides a unique backdrop at this outdoor wedding near Eugene Oregon — LifeSlice Photography

The Teepee

The day before their wedding, a teepee was erected at the venue to house their guestbook and guest favors. It was one of the first things that guests saw as they arrived, and created a unique backdrop for their reception.

Two men carry sacred herbs towards the altar at a wedding incorporating native american traditions — LifeSlice Photography

Native American Wedding Ceremony Traditions

Rachel’s relatives burned traditional herbs at the altar before the ceremony, and when the ceremony ended the couple was wrapped in a beautiful blanket to symbolize unity and protection.

A newly married couple smile at their wedding guests when a traditional blanket is draped over their shoulders at the altar to honor the brides' native american heritage — LifeSlice Photography

The Potato Dance

During their reception, Rachel’s father took the microphone and guided the guests in “the potato dance,” a challenge for each dancing couple to keep a potato from falling to the floor… without using their hands. The couples started with the potato pressed between their foreheads, and were led through several challenges: touching the floor and standing back up, rotating, etc. It was so much fun to watch, and the winners received a special gift as their prize!

Two wedding guests grin at each other while balancing a potato between their foreheads during a traditional potato dance — LifeSlice Photography

Rachel & Bryan’s day also included many nontraditional elements, such as: a bounce house for their younger guests to enjoy, custom balloon decorations, a luck-of-the-draw card game to release guests to the buffet, a live ceremony painter, and more! I loved encouraging the couple to embrace their sense of fun and weave these more lighthearted elements into their special day.