ISLAND WEDDING CUSTOMS - LEI
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LEI
The lei is the Hawaiian symbol of love and aloha. The custom of giving and receiving leis at weddings began in the days of old Hawaii. During the ceremony the kahuna pule (religious man) bound the hands of the bride and groom with maile leis as a symbol of the couple's commitment to each other.
Today, the fragrant maile lei entwined with pikake (white jasmine) and ilima is usually worn by the groom. The bride sometimes wears a haku headband instead of a traditional headpiece. Triple strands of delicate pikake are also appropriate for the mother of the bride and groom.
This section is intended to be a guide to different types of leis.
For more information or to order lei, please check with one of the
florists in the
Hawaii Bridal Directory.
LEI FOR WEDDINGS |
DESCRIPTION |
AVAILABILITY |
MAILE LEI |
Fragrant and green maile leaves are traditionally worn by the groom. Other flowers such as pikake or ilima are often woven with maile leaves. |
Available all year. Plain maile leis $$$ |
PIKAKE LEI
|
Pikake flowers resemble pearls and have a heavenly fragrance. Pikake leis are traditional for the bride. Pikake flowers can be entwined with other flowers such as ilima, orchids or rosebuds. |
Temperamental flower abundantly available in summer months. Single strand is $5.50. $$$ |
OHAI ALI'I LEI
|
The Ohai Ali'i is vibrant orange or yellow in color. The Ohai Ali'i lei has a feathery appearance. |
Available all year. $13-18 Single, $$ |
TUBEROSE LEI
|
The tuberose is white and has a sweet lovely fragrance. The delicate flowers can be doubled so that only the petals show. |
Available all year. From $7.50 per strand. $ |
CARNATION LEI
|
The popular carnation lei is very thick and showy. The flowers are naturally white, pink, red or striped, but can be dyed any color to match the occasion. |
Available all year. From $4.50 per lei. $ |
CROWN
|
Crown flowers come in lavender or white and can be worn with or without petals. This lei has no fragrance. |
Temperamental flower. From $3 per strand. $ |
LEI PUA
|
The Pua Kenikeni is golden in color and has a spicy fragrance. Its unusual color and fragrance make it a popular lei when in season. |
Available around the warm summer months. From $5.50 per lei. $ |
HAKU LEI
|
The haku lei can be made with any types of flowers, vines, leaves or seeds, arranged and woven together. The haku is most often worn as a head lei. |
Available all year. From $20 per lei. $$$ |
DENDROBIUM
|
The dainty dendrobium orchid comes in white, yellow, purple and lavender and is often made double thick |
Available all year. From $6.50 Single, $$$ |
MAUNALOA
|
White or purple vanda orchids are stacked with their petals lined up to create this beautiful lei. |
Available all year. From $20.50 per lei. $$$ |
ILIMA LEI
|
Thousands of paper-thin ilima flower petals of yellow-orange are carefully strung together to create this spectacular lei. Ilima leis were once only worn by the Ali'i. |
Available during the summer months. From $12.50 per strand. $$ |
CIGAR
|
Cigar flower leis are made with hundreds of tiny orange-red flowers strung in a rope-like style. These leis are usually worn by men. |
Available during the summer months. From $18.50 per lei. $$$ |
MICRONESIAN
|
The fragrant ginger flower is woven with stems forming a delicate lace-like pattern on the inside with the blossoms on the outside. |
Available all year. From $9.50 Single, $$ |