Leis for Weddings

Now I know I've blogged about this topic before, but with destination weddings, many couples find the culture and usage of leis a bit foreign, so I thought I might help to shed light on the subject. Who should get a lei, and what type of lei is appropriate to give?

Let's start with the bridal party. For grooms, the most popular would be the maile lei, whose fragrant leaves look masculine and readily identifies a person of honor. It also does not stain clothing - a big plus on any occasion. Maile leis are typically reserved for "VIPs," so these would be appropriate for the groom, groomsmen, fathers, officiants, and even emcees, if this person is someone dear to you.

Kevin sports a maile with tuberose lei for his wedding earlier this year. Photo by Christie Pham Photography.

As for brides, one of my favorites is the rope pikake lei. The pikake, or jasmine blossom, resembles a dainty pearl and its sweet fragrance delicately scents its wearer. I recommend the rope over the multiple strands, as the individual flowers may separate on a strand, revealing the thread or floss holding the blooms together, whereas the rope style of lei retains its shape nicely, even after many hugs and a long day.

Nancy wore the beautiful and fragrant rope pikake lei for her reception and sunset photos on Waikiki Beach. Photo by Eclat Photography.

For moms and special female guests, something "fancier" and with a pretty scent usually serves well to acknowledge key people. Pikake leis, Micronesian ginger leis, double tuberose leis, and fancy orchid work nicely. (FYI - orchid leis generally do not have a fragrance.) For dads and special male guests, opt for leis without fragrance; some of the more popular varieties include kukui-mock orange and cigar leis.

Tiare's new mother-in-law and her mom wear beautiful Micronesian ginger leis for the wedding. Photo by Kai Photo.

As for out-of-town guests and even extended family members, a simple lei generally serves as a thoughtful gesture to recognize these people, without upstaging "VIPs" such as parents or bridal party members. Some suggestions include a single strand tuberose lei, single strand orchid lei, single strand lantern ilima lei, or single strand crown flower lei, to name a few. These typically cost less but still fulfill the objective of acknowledging these guests in a kind way. Choose flowers that match the colors of the wedding; the photos look even better when things are nicely coordinated.

Remember that the giving of leis is by no means a requirement, so do not feel obligated to give leis at your wedding, but if doing so, be sure to give them from the heart. Consult your floral designer, lei shop, or wedding planner for more ideas and tips on selecting leis for your wedding and enjoy the happy smiles of your guests when they get "lei'd in Hawaii!"

Featured Wedding #15: Della and Kevin

Photos by Christie Pham Photography

Through my work, I am very fortunate to meet some fantastic couples, many of whom have become friends and who I have the pleasure of seeing even after their wedding. Della and Kevin are one such couple. In fact, I will be visiting their home later today for a Labor Day barbecue, and I thought I would dedicate today's blog entry to them.

Della and Kevin tied the knot on March 6, 2011, at the picturesque JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko'Olina. It was a sunny afternoon, and to further brighten the day, their "son," Koko (a fluffy white Cavichon), shared the spotlight for the ceremony. Who could resist his little round eyes, imploring you to pick him up and hug him?

At weddings, I seldom find time to enjoy the ceremony as a guest would, especially since coordination duties call me to oversee many things at once, but I happened to catch part of Della's personal vows to Kevin which gave me pause and literally brought tears to my eyes. She referenced traditional wedding vows which state "in sickness and in health," and her response - "been there. Done that."

During the planning stages of their wedding, Della shared with me that in spite of being a young couple, she and Kevin had already experienced their share of trials and tribulations, with Kevin having been struck with serious illness and Della undergoing a major hip surgery. After enduring this together, they emerged a stronger couple with both fortunately in good health now. Listening to Della's vows, I imagined what hardship they must have encountered together, and the formalization of their union seemed to underscore their already evident commitment to one another.

As for the wedding details, Della jokingly admitted that were it not for us on the planning end, she may have very well ended up with beer and nachos for her wedding. We fondly refer to Della as an "anti-bride," where instead of being the type of bride who carefully considered each and every detail of her special day, Della's laid back and don't-sweat-the-small-stuff take on things meant she would hand over the reins to us in terms of many things design related.

Della started with a palette of chocolate brown and pink, dressing her bridesmaids in pretty eyelet dresses with delicate pink ribbon at their waists. To complement the color scheme, we selected a gorgeous table overlays custom made by REA Events for their wedding, featuring swirls in shades of brown, cream, and blush pink, with a subtle underlay of soft champagne and chocolate napkins to emphasize the browns. A fresh pink cymbidium orchid was tucked into each napkin, adding a pop of color along with modern centerpieces of clustered vases filled with hydrangea, cymbidium orchids, and fiddlehead ferns by My Florist.

The result was a tasteful and fun wedding and I am so grateful to now call them my friends. Congratulations, Della and Kevin!

The Challenge to Having an Outdoor Wedding…

Photo courtesy of Christie Pham.

When a couple is getting married, especially in a place as beautiful as Hawaii, they often consider outdoor venues. Just imagine, a wedding reception with a gorgeous crystal blue sky with that famous Hawaiian sunshine that just lights up the well-kept green lawns of Lanikuhonua. However, Hawaii does not always have ideal weather conditions every day of the year. A couple must hope for the best, but plan for those worrisome ‘what-if’ scenarios.

Many couples want to have their ceremony and reception outside to enjoy the natural beauty of Hawaii, but what if it rains? What if it is too hot outside? For such woes, the couple may consider using a tent. While some may not consider tents to be the most glamorous accent to their wedding, with the right decorations, the tent can add to the aesthetics of the wedding itself. Plus, it will protect the couple and their guests from unexpected weather, like rain, or provide a shaded spot to relax and enjoy the festivities without getting sunburnt.

Photo courtesy Stephen Ludwig.