ISLAND WEDDING CUSTOMS - ETHNIC WEDDINGS
Lei Ethnic Weddings Money Dance Origami Cake Cutting
ETHNIC WEDDINGS
The immigrants who came to Hawaii from throughout the world brought hope, dreams, beliefs and customs. With the closeness of plantation life in the islands and inter-ethnic marriages, the modification and simplification of various wedding customs became commonplace.
Today, couples may choose traditions best suited to their personal tastes and budget. Certain traditions are still observed to show respect for family, ancestors and culture - ensuring luck, prosperity and happiness. The following are some of Hawaii's many ethnic wedding customs:
HAWAIIAN WEDDINGS: The Hawaiian wedding ceremony is combined with variations of Christian-Protestant traditions. Portions of the double-ring ceremony are conducted in Hawaiian and English. The bride wears a white holoku and the groom wears a white shirt and trousers with a color sash around his waist. Both the bride and groom wear leis.
FILIPINO WEDDINGS: Today, the ceremony is usually Catholic, with a full mass followed by an elaborate reception. Friends and relatives usually help with the wedding expenses. A combined ceremony and reception, (daya) the tradition of lighting candles and praying at the groom's home is observed. A relatively new custom is for the bride to have her gown and bouquet photographed on her bed prior to the ceremony. The money dance (the Pandango) was a custom brought to the islands from the Philippines and has become an island wedding tradition, regardless of ethnic backgrounds.
JAPANESE WEDDINGS: Long ago, Japanese weddings were arranged by the couple's parents and two matchmakers (baikainins). Today, the bride and groom make their own choice. The bride wears a traditional gown and the groom wears a tuxedo. A local Japanese-American custom is for the bride folds 1001 origami cranes prior to her wedding for good luck, good fortune, longevity, happiness fidelity and peace. During the reception, which is usually a formal dinner with a set program, friends and relatives make "banzai" toasts to the bride and groom.
CHINESE WEDDINGS: Chinese marriages were once arranged, but today couples in the islands make their own choice. A seven to nine course feast is served at the reception. Fireworks and a lion dance are two Chinese traditions performed at weddings to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.