The first wedding vase is believed to have originated in South America; however, it has been a part of Pueblo life for centuries. The two spouts on the top of the vessel represent two separate lives, and the bridge at the top part unites these separate lives together as one. Two weeks prior to a marriage, it is the responsibility of the future husband's parents to provide a wedding vase in Indian ceremonies. Marital advice and gifts are given to the bride and groom as they prepare to establish their new life together. On the day of the wedding, this vase is filled with Indian holy water and given to the bride, who drinks from one side of the wedding vase while the groom drinks from the opposite side. The ceremony is equivalent to the exchanging of wedding bands, and the couple will cherish their wedding vase throughout their married life.

Most Native American pottery used in ceremonies such as the wedding vase is considered sacred and cannot be sold to the public. It is to be given or received as gifts among tribal members. Ceremonial pottery differs from the Native American Pottery that is meant to be enjoyed as works of art. A Native American wedding vase is a welcome addition to any Southwest décor. The Native American Hopi, Navajo, Acoma, Zuni, and Jemez tribes of the American Southwest create beautiful handmade, hand painted wedding vases.

The Navajo artists use various colored coarse clays that are dug from local riverbeds and mixed with other types of rock such as volcanic rock and Anasazi chips. The clay is thinned, cleaned and ground up, coiled, and shaped by hand. After the wedding vase has been formed, it is smoothed out on the outer surface by using a smooth rock, and a design may be added to the exterior. The majority of the dried pottery is fired in an open, wood and sheep manure fire that creates "fire clouds" on the pottery's surface. The Navajo potters remove the wedding vase from the fire and apply Pinion pitch which water proofs the pot and adds a soft luster with a tantalizing aroma.

The Hopi wedding vase is made from clays dug locally from the Casas Grandes region and fired to a color ranging from a light cream to a medium buff. The Hopi artists also fire their pottery using the same traditional methods as the Navajo artists; however, before they fire their pottery, the Hopi potters polish the clay and apply vegetal and mineral paints for the designs to the pottery such as a wedding vase. One of the most famous Hopi artists is the “Frog Woman� Joy Navisse, who specializes in Hopi-Tewa pottery.

One notable Mata Ortiz potter who is known for his wedding vases is Martin Olivas. His wedding vases are recognized by collectors for their very deep gun metal black finish, dynamic and dramatic shapes, and black on black graphics.