Two of the most common questions regarding Hawaiian leis are “what are the top Hawaiian leis for weddings?” and “what are the traditional Hawaiian leis for weddings?” Are you planning a wedding or helping plan a wedding with these same questions? Don’t worry because you’re not alone!
Hawaiian leis add an essence of the islands to any wedding and are great for photos. Here is a list of the top Hawaiian leis for weddings to help you out.
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1. Haku Lei
The haku lei is a very popular lei for weddings because they look like crowns. Lots of people dream about being a prince or princess growing up and what better way to have this dream come true than to dress like one at their own wedding?
A haku lei is a flower crown worn on the head. It is made by braiding or sewing greenery and flowers facing out exposing a beautifully crafted design. Haku leis traditionally were made for ceremonies to symbolize rank but modern day have become icons for someone special for an event. The designs range from quite simple to very extravagant.
You can request for certain color combinations and types of flowers for your haku. Fresh flowers availability is based off of what’s in season and is usually substituted with similar flowers if your requested flower isn’t available. The hakus typically range between 21 to 22 inches in length but are adjustable.
2. Maile Leis
2.1 Maile Leis
Maile leis are typically seen at almost all Hawaiian weddings. Maile Leis are often worn by the groom, and also by the groom’s men in weddings which is a lovely sight. It is made with vines or shrubs indigenous in the Hawaiian Islands. There are several types of Maile leis and among them are the Hilo Maile, Polynesian Maile and the Maile Style Ti Leaf lei.
What’s the difference? Hilo Maile has longer leaves and has this sweet fragrance to it. It’s best described as vines in appearance. The Polynesian Maile has shorter leaves but looks more full and “leafy” as compared to the Hilo Maile.
These two types of Maile leis can last about 3 or so days if refrigerated properly. They are delicate and turn brown quickly when exposed to excessive heat so make sure to keep them refrigerated till your event.
2.2 Maile Style Ti Leaf lei
One thing to note is that they aren’t available all year round. The Maile Style Ti Leaf lei is made from ti leaves and is more durable. By durable meaning they stay green longer and transport better when being shipped to the Continental US. They have a full and “leafy” look like the Polynesian Maile.
During Hawaiian weddings, it’s common for people to order flowers wrapped around the Maile lei. It adds contrast to the lei and depending on the flower, a nice fragrant scent. Some popular flowers are tuberose, pikake and orchids. Both the tuberose and pikake are fragrant flowers but like the Maile lei, they are fragile and have short shelf life.
It’s perfect if used immediately but if it’s being shipped to the United States, they have shorten life spans. They are by far the most popular here, on the islands, for weddings. Orchids are stronger and last longer with little discoloration if white is the color of choice. They also come in the natural purple, natural green and a variety of dyed colors to go along with couples wedding colors.
Whether you add flowers to wrap around the Maile lei or not, it will still symbolize love, respect, enduring devotion, blessing, friendship, reverence and desire for peace.
3. Double tuberose and pikake
Double tuberoseand pikake with multiple strands bring sweet aromas to the happy couple as they are some of the most fragrant flowers used for Hawaiian leis. It is not uncommon for the groom to match the bride using the same type of flower to wrap around their Maile lei.
Tuberosehas a honey like smell and pikake has a jasmine flower smell to it. Many choose tuberose for a wedding because it symbolizes commitment, love, friendship and congratulations. Some locals choose pikake because Princess Kaiulani named the flower pikake, the Hawaiian word for peacock. She loved the jasmine flower scent and also peacocks so she named the flower after another love of hers.
It’s best to get these the day of the wedding or the day before to achieve the white flower look for photos.
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4. Single Orchid Leis
Single orchid leis are somewhat common for local weddings but extremely popular for weddings outside of Hawai’i. The purple single orchid lei is the most universally recognized symbol of Hawai’i.
They do not have any fragrant scent like tuberose and pikake but they are durable flowers. Those who choose orchids are because they hold up well if being shipped to the Continental US and the blooms are larger creating a more dynamic effect for photos.
Orchids are also more versatile with a dyed color selection as well as natural colors of purple, white and green. The blooms can also be dyed to match the colors of a wedding. For those couples who want to give each attendee at their wedding a lei, this is the optimal choice because it’s the most cost effective.
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5. Kukui Nut Leis
Although kukui nut leis are not traditional Hawaiian leis for weddings, it has been used more and more in recent years. Kukui nut leis were traditionally worn to pay respect to deities during performances and ceremonies.
Locally, these Hawaiian leis have been commonly associated with education. It is said that kukui is a source of light which has come to symbolize knowledge, learning and enlightenment.
A reason why kukui nut leis have been used in weddings in recent years is that they are cost effective and act as a form of a wedding favor. All the guests will get a Hawaiian lei and a memory keepsake from the wedding. It’s killing two birds with one stone. The guests can take them home and kukui nut leis last forever!
Kukui nut leis can come in the plain polished black or brown but if the couple wants to get creative, there can be designs on them. The designs can be in the colors of the wedding to add that extra special touch.
Choose your lei:
As you can see, some people opt for traditional Hawaiian leis for their wedding while others take on a more contemporary approach. It is your special day and no matter what Hawaiian leis you choose, they will symbolize Hawai’i. Some other Hawaiian leis people have at their weddings are white Butterfly leis, white Alana leis, white Spiral leis, white double orchid leis, white Pikki leis, white Christina leis, white Indiana leis and white Feather leis. These deluxe leis stay white, even if shipped to the Continental US to arrive days before the wedding which makes them great options for a white wedding. Congratulations and feel free to contact us with any questions!
Hawaiian Leis For Weddings
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