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Aloha, and welcome to our Hawaiian wedding favor and customs page. Here we
take a brief look at Hawaiian wedding traditions. Hawaii is the number one
honeymoon location for Americans, followed by Jamaica, Mexico and
Tahiti. All of these places offer a gorgeous tropical setting for your
wedding and honeymoon. But let's focus on Hawaii:Hawaiian Wedding Customs
Hawaiian wedding traditions are open to interpretation by each couple.
Hawaii couples often have a wedding that reflects their own particular cultural background, and
often
borrows from wedding traditions found throughout the world. They are usually
filled with traditions that show respect for the families cultural
background, which is thought to bring good luck to the newlyweds. These often reflect the Hawaiian, Samoan, Chinese, Japanese and Filipino cultures that the
families may come from. For example, a Japanese wedding tradition involves folding 1001 origami
cranes made of paper together, which is thought to bring good luck, fortune,
peace and faithfulness to the new couple. These are often mounted and framed
for display. The western wedding tradition of exchanging rings is normally
observed. These types of traditions are nicely blended into a tropical
Hawaiian theme. Naturally, beach wedding themes are a natural part of Hawaiian wedding
culture and customs.
Ceremonies
Most Hawaiian wedding ceremonies are held in English and Hawaiian mixed together, along with
elements of Christian wedding ceremonies, or whatever religious influence is
strongest in the families. A conch shell is often blown three times when the
ceremony begins, representing the presence of the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit. Families with a Catholic religious background incorporate a mass
into the wedding ceremony. Ceremonies often begin also with the exchanging
of Leis, which represent the continuous circle of harmony that the new
couple strives to attain. The bride and groom each take turns putting a lei
around each other's necks, following the action with a sweet kiss. Rings are
exchanged and then the vows are typically exchanged. This is followed by the
Priest pronouncing the new couple to be husband and wife.
Food
Hawaiian wedding dishes include fruit such as star anise, oranges,
pineapples, mangos, kiwi, bananas and coconuts. A typical Hawaiian wedding
feast uses local cuisine such as shrimp, hirame, sashimi, stuffed crabmeat,
moi poke, tofu, lobster, spare ribs and crab cakes. And of course there is
the traditional Hawaiian roast
pig cooked in an in ground oven (called an Imu). Try adding a lot of local
fruit to your punch bowl, and placing a few edible floating orchids in
it. Many people
love having their wedding celebration at or near the beautiful Hawaiian
beach, which fits in naturally with your beach theme wedding party. And of
course you'll need to eat your delicious Hawaiian food with something! Our
Hawaiian wedding favors chopsticks are a natural
favor for your beach party, and will give the guests a lasting memento of
your wedding.
Dress
At a Hawaiian wedding, the groom wears white
trousers and long sleeved shirt adorned with a colorful sash, and the bride
sports a white Holoku (which is a formal muumuu), and they both wear
wreaths of leis. As in many other cultures, Hawaiian wedding bands are
inscribed with the couples name and are often exchanged at the ceremony.
Leis
The Lei is a Hawaiian flower necklace and is a famous Hawaii symbol of love.
The Lei tradition actually originated with Tahitian's who brought it via
canoe to Hawaii from Polynesia.
Leis are very well known as a gift given by Hawaiians when people come to
visit. In a Hawaiian wedding ceremony. A Lei is made from shells, feathers,
bones, and of course flowers. The Maile Leis (a garland made of nice
smelling green leaves) is worn by the bride and groom, and symbolizes love
and a connection to the land. In ancient times the Maile Leis was a peace
symbol between tribal cheifs. A Kahuna Pule (Hawaiian Priest)
ties the hands of the bride and groom's hands together with a Maile Leis to
symbolize the unity of the couple.
The groom wears a Maile Lei made of Pikake
and Ilima. The Maile part consist of green leaves. Pikake is a small white
perl-like Jasmine flower that is wonderfully fragrant. The bride will wear a Haku.
The Haku lei can be created with a variety of flowes and is normally worn on
the bride's head. The betrothed couple's mothers often
wear leis made of Pikake.
Lei etiquette is pretty much a matter of
common sense. Don't refuse a lei offered as a gift. Don't remove the lei
while the person who gave it is nearby.
Music
Hawaiian wedding popular music includes "Blue Hawaii"
which became famous in an Elvis Presley flick. Another popular wedding song
is "Ke Kali Nei Au" which means "I am waiting for you." More wedding
favorites include "Pretty Red Hibiscus", "Maile Swing" and "Sophisticated
Hula." Many musical styles can be employed, and often the ukulele, steel
guitar and slack key guitar are used. Many times a Hula dancer is hired to
perform these songs.
Dance
Sometimes if the families are from the Philippines, a money dance
(called a Pandango) is performed. Here the guests tape money together around
the bride and groom as they dance. Dancing at the beach in Hawaii is fun and
is a natural part of any beach themed wedding.
Hawaiian Wedding Words Relating to Marriage
Aloha and Ho`ao are two terms used in regards to Hawaiian weddings.
Aloha of course has many meanings and uses, including love, or a loved
person, sweetness and respect. Ho`ao is a very old Hawaiian word for
marriage which actually means to stay until daybreak. This also refers to a
ceremony performed for the ruling royal classes during these ceremonies.
Hawaiian Wedding Favors
Our number one recommendation for favors are
personalized chopsticks engraved with the name and date of the bride and
groom. These favors fit perfectly at any Asian themed wedding and are can be
engraved with any special Hawaiian words or phrases. Our favors ship free to
Hawaii from the west coast, making them a stylish, quick and affordable
wedding favor.
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Perfect Hawaiian Wedding Favor!
Hawaiian Personalized Chopsticks
The natural choice for
Hawaiian Wedding favors
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