There are few things more romantic than a destination wedding in Hawaii held at sunset, with a beautiful beach or waterfall as the backdrop. While Hawaii is considered a top wedding destination, it is also popular to hold a Hawaiian-themed wedding on the mainland. Whether you are from Hawaii or simply love the breathtaking beauty and relaxed lifestyle of the tropical islands, consider adding a few Hawaiian wedding traditions to your ceremony to set the tone for a memorable and romantic event.

In Hawaii, many weddings incorporate leis, which are wreaths or necklaces of fresh tropical flowers. You may choose to give leis as party favors to your guests, or have the wedding party wear them instead of corsages. The leis, which are considered symbols of love and commitment, may also be used in the ceremony itself. They may be exchanged between the bride and groom, or between the two families. In Hawaiian tradition, the fathers of the bride and groom are presented with a lei made of green tea leaves, while the mothers receive ginger leis. This gesture is meant as a symbol of gratitude.

The bride wears a flowing white dress with a flower in her hair. The flower should always be placed above the left ear, which symbolizes that she is taken. A wreath of flowers may also be worn on her head in place of a veil. The groom wears a white shirt and slacks, with a bright sash, usually red, and a green lei around his neck.

Another popular Hawaiian wedding tradition is the Circle of Love. As the bride and groom stand together for their wedding vows, a circle of flowers surrounds them. This can make for beautiful and memorable wedding photographs, and is a great way to incorporate Hawaiian orchids and other tropical flowers in your wedding ceremony.

Not all Hawaiian wedding customs involve tropical flowers. During the sand ceremony, the bride and groom pour colored sands into a bottle. This tradition symbolizes two souls becoming one, and a poem is often recited as the bride and groom pour their sands into the bottle. Just as the two colors of sand can never be separated, neither can the bride and groom be separated. If the ceremony is taking place on a tropical beach, many couples will choose to incorporate some of this sand to capture this special moment.

Before the ceremony begins, traditional Hawaiian weddings include blowing the conch shell. Used in ancient times to announce royalty or mark the beginning of special events, this beautiful sound can be heard for miles. It can be blown to announce the beginning of the wedding ceremony or the bride’s entrance.

Music is central to any wedding, no matter the theme. Traditional Hawaiian music, including steel drums, ukulele, and even hula dancers, can be incorporated into any wedding ceremony or reception. For a modern twist, use the Hawaiian Wedding Song, popularized by Elvis Presley in the movie and album “Blue Hawaii.” Even before Presley’s version was release, this song had been used in Hawaiian weddings for decades.

Of course, no Hawaiian wedding would be complete without a feast. Foods that would be included in a traditional Hawaiian wedding feast include a roasted pig, poi (mashed taro root), and plenty of tropical fruit.

Author Bio: Royal Tiki’s beautiful range of Tiki are hand-carved on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu.Also check for current specials on statues for your Tiki bar

Category: Culture
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