Hawaiian Wedding Lei Exchange

The bride and groom exchange leis at the beginning of the ceremony and wear them around their necks throughout the ceremony. We can say a few words about the tradition and compare the fragility of the flower petals to relationships and how it takes tender care to preserve the beauty.

Kauai Beach Sand Ceremony

Like a unity candle the sand is used to symbolize the joining of the bride and groom or the joining of their families. If the wedding is being held on a beach the sand would be collected at the time of the ceremony and taken from below the bride and grooms feet. Each of the two handfuls of sand symbolizes the separate lives of the bride and groom, their histories and their families. Once combined, the sand represents their future together. The combined sand makes a wonderful wedding keepsake for the bride and groom and a constant reminder of their vows of love and devotion pledged to each other.

Circle of Flowers or Petals

Flower petals or tropical flowers are arranged on the sand in a circle, symbolizing the wedding ring. The couple steps into the ring as single individuals, but leave joined as one. (Not a Hawaiian tradition, but I like the symbolism.)

Hands Ceremony

This is not a Hawaiian tradition, but it is easy to use in beach ceremonies, as it requires no props. It can be thought of as an enhancement of the Hawaiian tradition of "kulima" or holding hands. I will send the text of this beautiful addition, if you are interested in this option.

Other options to add a Hawaiian Flair:

• A conch shell can be blown to signify the beginning of the ceremony.
• Wear and toss an orchid ankle lei – instead of a garter.
• Place the wedding cake on ti leaves.
• Honi is the affectionate touching of noses before the nuptial kiss
• Aha is made of coconut fibers entwined as rope, to be worn around the wrists or laced into a lei
• A wedding Hula dance can be performed before, during or after the ceremony.
• Kulima is the tradition of the bride and groom taking each other's hand and holding it throughout the ceremony.
• Guests can throw flower petals instead of rice. (Bubbles can be blown in celebration.)
• We can add in any cultural tradition that you bring to the wedding such as breaking of the glass, jumping the broom, sharing of wine, etc.

Contemporary Casual Wedding Attire:

Hawaiian wedding traditions run from the very casual to the more formal. The most common contemporary wedding attire on Kauai, goes toward the more casual. Here are some examples of the casual wedding clothes worn on Kauai:

Bride: Tea length wedding dress, with haku lei (instead of veil) and wedding lei and/or wedding bouquet

Groom: Black or Khaki slacks or shorts and white shirt, maile or ti-leaf wedding lei

There are many shops on Kauai selling casual wedding attire, you might enjoy browsing the shops or shopping online. For something unique, try Tropical Tantrum.