A Native American woman from Haworth will forego a white wedding this weekend to marry in traditional tribal dress.

Crow Thunder, 29, and her husband-to-be Grey Wolf, 49, will tie the knot at Halifax Registry Office in full traditional Native American dress.

The couple, who both live in Mixenden near Halifax, will turn up for the ceremony dressed in buckskin outfits.

"This is a very special and sacred day for both of us," says Crow Thunder. "We live as best we can, following the sacred ways of our ancestors which we will bring to our wedding. We will be taking our vows under the British legal system but will also give honour to the spirits and Mother Earth as is the tradition of our people."

The wedding outfits have been made especially for the big day by Grey Wolf, a former Keighley College student. Crow Thunder will wear a caped dress, decorated with cowrie shells and beading as well as leggings. Grey Wolf will wear a decorated shirt, leggings and head-dress.

One thing that Crow Thunder won't be changing is her name, which will remain the same after the wedding.

The two are united by a blood line which links them both to the Lakota Sioux nation of the western plains of the USA.

Crow Thunder was born Rachel Southeran in Bradford. She was raised in Haworth by her English mother. Her father originated from the Lakota native American nation.

Grey Wolf - who was born Grant Downs - hails from a relocated Native American tribal community in Texas. He moved to this country in 1986 and lived in the south of England, before settling in Grassington in the early 1990s and then moving on to Mixenden.

The couple met at an event in Cumbria where Grey Wolf was holding a workshop on Native American culture.

Their wedding ceremony will be attended by about 20 friends including Ron and Margaret Miller, who have embraced the Native American culture as Ghost Horse and Walks Far. The best man will be Terry Sutton, from Leeds, who was given the name Little Black Eagle by Grey Wolf four years ago.

The couple plan to honeymoon on a barge somewhere in England later in the year.

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