Osage Wedding Outfit

Osage chiefs had visited Washington DC, and they were given military uniforms and top hats as presents. They gave the outfits to their wives and daughters. By the 1880's, women started to wear these uniforms at weddings. The bride and her attendants wore military tunics trimmed with gold epaulettes, sometimes with a peace medal around the neck for decoration. Top hats adorned with silver bands and dyed feathers were part of the dress given to the new drum keeper. They also wore floor length skirts and moccasins. The bride and her 10 bridesmaids were transported by horses or, in the early 1900's, luxury cars to where they were to be wed. The bride and her bridesmaids were carried on a blanket supported by the groom's family. Traditionally the wedding was complete after a large feast.

        --Tierra and Andrea, Marty Indian School