Hawaii Wedding Traditions

Hawaii is the dream wedding destination for many brides around the world.  The pristine, turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and Hawaiian breeze are enough to tempt any bride to tie the knot in this land of paradise.  But, it is the culture of the Hawaiian islands that sets them apart from many other tropical locations.  Many couples choose to include some Hawaiian traditions in their weddings to add a unique and fun touch to the traditional wedding ceremony. 

Music

The "Hawaiian Wedding Song," made famous by the king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley, is a favorite at weddings here in Hawaii.  This song can even be played by a local guitarist or ukulele player that can be hired to serenade you and your guests during your wedding ceremony and reception.  Along with the famous "Hawaiian Wedding Song," these musicians can usually play a variety of Hawaiian inspired love songs and melodies.

Leis

One of the most popular Hawaiian traditions is the exchange of leis between the bride and groom.  Symbolizing respect and love, the lei is usually made from a variety of fresh, island flowers.  The lei is made into a circle, like a ring, to represent eternal commitment and love that is shared between husband and wife. 

Attire

In Hawaii, it is traditional for the bride and groom to wear all white on their wedding day.  The groom often wears a colored sash around his waist.  The laid-back, beach atmosphere here in Hawaii makes it acceptable for the wedding party to wear something less formal than a traditional wedding.  Many groomsmen choose to wear an "aloha" shirt with khaki or white shorts.  It is also very common for the bride to choose a less-formal wedding dress without a long train.

Hawaiian Language

An easy way to incorporate Hawaiian culture is to incorporate some Hawaiian sayings into your ceremony.  Here is a list of some Hawaiian love sayings:

Ko'u Aloha - My Love
Ku'u Lei - My beloved
Me Ke Aloha - With Love
Me Ke Aloha Pumehana - With the warmth of my love
Mau Loa - Forever
Nau Ko'u Aloha - My love is yours
Na'u `oe - You're mine

Ring Blessings

To start this ring blessing, the wedding officiant fills a koa wood bowl from a body of water.  The koa wood represents strength and integrity, like that required in marriage, because of its quality.  Representing prosperity and health, the ti leaf is then dipped into the water and sprinkles water of the rings 3 times.  He chants “Ei-Ah Eha-No. Ka Malohia Oh-Na-Lani. Mea A-Ku A-Pau,” which means “May peace from above rest upon you and remain with you now and forever” in Hawaiian.

Ti Leaf & Lava Rock

In this ceremony, a lava rock is wrapped inside a ti leaf and left on the beach after the ceremony.  The lava rock is said to represent the moment when the couple has chosen to spend eternity together.  The rock is then wrapped in the leaf and left on the beach where the ceremony took place.  It symbolizes the birth of your union and offering a blessing upon your marriage.  Unlike the wedding ring that travels with you, the rock remains steadfast like the love shared between the bride and groom.