Traditional Hawaiian Wedding & a Holoku

Hawaiian brides and grooms exchange leis during the wedding ceremony.

Certain aspects of a Hawaiian wedding distinguish it from weddings on the mainland. Hawaiian brides might wear a dress called a holoku, a long white gown that was first introduced to the island by missionaries in the 19th century.

Attire

The holoku worn by brides has long sleeves, a train and a flowing silhouette because the gown does not have a waist. Both the groom and bride wear white during a Hawaiian wedding ceremony. The groom usually has a bright red sash around his waist.

Order of the Procession

The start of a Hawaiian wedding is similar to the start of a wedding on the mainland. The groom and the priest, often known as a Kahu, enter. The bride and groom's mothers then walk to their seats, and finally the bridal party and the bride walk down the aisle.

Sounding of the Conch Shell

Before the bride walks down the aisle, the Kahu blows a conch shell to announce her entrance and to bring the elements of fire, earth and air to witness the wedding.

Music

"Ke Kali Nei Au" is the name of the traditional Hawaiian wedding song, which usually is played during the ceremony.

The Lei Custom

During the ceremony, the bride and groom exchange leis in much the same way they would exchange wedding rings. Sometimes, the priest might wrap a lei around the wrists of the bride and groom, binding them together.

References

• "My Wedding": Aloha Spirit 101
• "The Knot": Hawaiian Wedding Customs
• The Wave Shoppe: History of Hawaiian Holoku