In the
Hawaiian Islands leis are given as a symbol of love, respect and
appreciation. There is no wrong way to incorporate leis in a wedding. Leis
can be exchanged between the wedding couple to symbolize their love and
commitment to one another. A lei presentation can also be incorporated
between the wedding couple and their family to symbolize the joining of not
only the couple but the families as well.
The most
common incorporation of leis into a wedding is between the wedding couple.
Wedding couples often have the wedding officiate hold and bless the leis at
the start of the ceremony then the couple adorns each other in a lei as a
symbol of their love and commitment to one another. At some Hawaiian
weddings the parents of the groom adorn the bride with a lei and the parents
of the bride adorn the groom with a lei as a symbol of welcoming them into
the family. For couples getting married who already have children a nice way
to include the children in the marriage ceremony is to incorporate the
wedding couple adorning the children leis to symbolize their love for the
children and them uniting as one family.
Leis can
also be worn by special family members and the wedding party rather than
having them wear corsages and boutonnieres. At some weddings the bride and
groom also provide the minister a lei to wear either because the minister is
either a close friend, or because they want the minister to be wearing a lei
for their photos.
Some brides
and grooms also elect to adorn all wedding guests with fresh flower, silk
flower, or shell leis to add a full island flair and as a keepsake from the
wedding. Having everyone in leis makes for excellent photos and people
really seem to get into the aloha spirit and hang loose when they are
wearing a lei! If you can not afford leis for everyone get as many as you
can fit into your budget and at your reception reward those who are the
first to get on the dance floor with a lei.