The most obvious setting for a Hawaiian theme wedding would be outdoors, in balmy weather, in view of the ocean. However, with a little ingenuity, you can transform even a wintertime church hall into a tropical getaway with use of unique Hawaiian wedding theme ideas.
Encourage your wedding guests to dress in what they would wear in Hawaii for your Hawaiian theme wedding. If it is wintertime, make sure that there will be enough heat available to keep everyone comfortable. Add Hawaiian words and phrases to your invitations and mail them in sunset-colored envelopes with palm-tree silhouettes stamped on the backs.
To welcome your guests, have someone greet them with heartfelt "Aloha" while placing flower leis around their necks. Fresh leis can be pricey, but you can find pretty and inexpensive ones made from faux flowers or shells.
One Hawaiian wedding theme idea that will provide a unique entrance for the bride and groom is the blowing of a 'Pu', otherwise known as a conch shell, at the start of the wedding ceremony. First, two short blasts call forth the gods and request their blessing. Then one drawn-out tone symbolizes long life and a lasting relationship. You can ask the wedding officiate to use some Hawaiian words during the ceremony and to offer a traditional Hawaiian blessing.
If you like, infuse your vows with the word "aloha" and its deeply spiritual meaning. The word "aloha" is made up of two words: 'alo'; meaning "to share" and 'ha'; "breath of life". Then demonstrate this unity with an old-fashioned Hawaiian-style kiss or 'honi'. Do this by touching the sides of your noses together while inhaling each other's 'ha'.
During the ceremony, you might consider these Hawaiian wedding theme ideas:
- Exchanging leis with each other, and members of your immediate families.
- Having the ring bearer carry the rings in on a large seashell.
- Marking an outdoor processional path with tiki torches.
In ancient times, Hawaiian brides wore multi-layered wrapped garments made from kapa. A modern Hawaiian bride might choose the more comfortable holoku; a long, loosely fitted dress with a short train. Bridal holokus are usually white, and made from cotton, satin, silk, or even lace.
> Traditionally, a Hawaiian bride wears a flower lei. Typically made of white jasmine or orchids, but any tropical flower can be used. In place of a veil, she might wear a 'haku' or head lei fashioned from flowers, vines, leaves, or seeds. Wrist and ankle leis can also be worn or any other Hawaiian inspired jewelry.
Modern attire for a groom is a lei, white shirt, and white pants worn with a colored sash. A lei made from spicy-smelling maile leaves, sometimes intertwined with flowers, is usually worn as a drape; open, leaving the ends dangling in front and a slight drape in back. Another option is a lei made from braided ti leaves that is of the traditional loop shape.
When planning your Hawaiian theme wedding decorations, you might consider using Hawaii's state color: red. However, any tropical flower's color will help give your festivities an "island" feel. Rattan tables and chairs, potted palm trees, blooming orchids and other tropical flowers will all lend special ambiance. Paper lanterns for lighting and a scattering of orchid blooms over the lawn will add color. If you will be poolside, create floating arrangements of flowers. Have flower-decked hammocks available to hold your gifts.
Hawaiian tradition states that if colorful birds appear at your wedding, it is a blessing from the gods. Bring nature's blessing indoors with pictures of tropical birds framed with leis, or use similarly decorated posters.
Your Hawaiian theme wedding and Hawaiian wedding theme ideas will have your guests feeling as if they are on vacation. Best of all, it will launch your marriage on a dreamy, "aloha" cruise of a lifetime.
