Hawaiian weddings feature the island's most beautiful and fragrant flowers.
If you think Hawaiian weddings are all about plastic leis and bright colors, think again. While Hawaii boasts a plethora of vibrant, year-round flowers, Hawaiian weddings generally utilize only the most fragrant and distinctive flowers. While they may still feature roses and other traditional fare, most couples in Hawaii opt for clean lines and elegant color palettes generally that often include the dark green of of the treasured maile leaf leis and white flowers.
Tuberose
The tuberose isn't a rose at all, but a member of the agave family, and its name refers to its tuberous root structure, not its blossoms. The tuberose is a common lei element, strung either in straight rows or at a 90 degree angle to create a wider lei. Tuberose can stand alone or serve as a complement to maile leis. Like plumeria, tuberose is a transplant from Central America, but has been embraced for its beauty and distinctive fragrance since its introduction in the 19th century.
Pikake
Originally from India, pikake is a variety of jasmine grown throughout warmer regions of Asia and the Pacific islands. Though there are many multi-petaled varieties of pikake, most florists and lei-makers use the single-flowered variety, as its petals don't fall off as easily. Lei-makers often string together the white, ovular buds of the pikake, a look that recalls the clean lines and classic appeal of a pearl necklace. Though generally worn by brides, pikake can be interwoven into the groom's maile lei.
Orchids
Though not nearly as fragrant as the other items on this list, orchids are a popular choice in terms of adding color and shape. Orchids can be any color on the spectrum, and while white orchids, with their borderline-glittery sheen, are the most popular wedding choice, purple, blue, green, yellow, and pink orchids are hardly uncommon. Brides who prefer to wear a haku, or a head-circlet, often choose orchids as they are studier than the other flowers on this list.
Ginger
Decorate your wedding with larger gingers to add a burst of color.
A white ginger lei can hardly be mistaken for anything else. Its long, nearly translucent stems, bound in white ribbon, form tight loops on the interior while its silky, fragrant petals fan out below. White ginger leis generally measure between two and three inches in width, making them showpieces that can stand alone. Some lei-makers embellish these leis with more colorful ginger varieties. Florists integrate larger gingers, like torch ginger or pink ginger, into decor and sometimes into bouquets.
Tags: Hawaiian weddings, clean lines, larger gingers, stand alone, this list