Hawaiian traditions make for a romantic wedding.
Hawaii is the perfect backdrop for a romantic wedding. Its culture, traditions and food can all be easily combined to create a memorable experience. Hawaii is a popular choice for destination weddings, and with its beauty it's easy to see why. Even if you can't afford to go to the Islands, there are many traditional touches you can add to your ceremony and reception at home to create an amazing Hawaiian-themed wedding.
Ceremony
Blowing into a conch shell marks the beginning of the ceremony.
There are many special Hawaiian wedding traditions you can incorporate into your ceremony. Having someone blow into a conch shell three times indicates that the ceremony is about to begin; you can then proceed with playing traditional Hawaiian music for the wedding party's entrance. A lei exchange between the bride and groom is much like a ring exchange and represents love and respect between the couple. Another special tropical touch is a sand ceremony in which the bride and groom pour separate containers of sand into the same bottle, signifying the joining of their lives.
Flowers
Leis are a must for wedding day attire.
The tropical flowers of Hawaii such as hibiscus, orchids and birds of paradise make beautiful centerpieces and bouquets. However, a distinctive way to use flowers in a Hawaiian wedding is leis. These flower necklaces make beautiful accessories for the couple's wedding day attire and the bride may even consider wearing a head lei as an alternative to a traditional veil. Leis can also be worn by the entire wedding party, special people such as parents and grandparents, or ushers can greet every guest with a lei before they are shown to their seats.
Food
Have a signature Hawaiian drink at your cocktail hour.
No Hawaiian-themed wedding would be complete without a luau reception. A luau is a tropical feast featuring a traditional pig roast and is something your guests will remember for a long time. Feature tropical fresh fruit for appetizers and offer fish or crab as an alternative to pork. A signature Hawaiian drink such as a mai tai or blue Hawaiian served in a pineapple shell makes a nice touch. Consider making your wedding cake a coconut flavor to stick with the theme.
Entertainment
Hawaiian fire dancers will amaze your guests.
Get your party started with an amazing Hawaiian-themed show. Hiring Hawaiian fire dancers will entertain your guests and add that "wow" factor to your reception. Have hula dancers teach lessons to your friends and family for an interactive experience that will get everyone out on the dance floor. Ask everyone to wear Hawaiian shirts or grass skirts to add an element of fun to the dance portion of the evening. Send your guests home with a small bag of Hawaii's famous Kona coffee as a special thank you for taking part in your big day.
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