How to Get a Maile Lei

Hawaiian grooms often wear a traditional maile lei for their wedding. This garland of wild green leaves is the oldest type in the history of lei making.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Yellow Pages
• Wedding Rings
• Internet Access
• Computers
• E-mail Software

1. Select a maile lei for its clean scent, which will complement the bride's pikake lei.

2. Remember that maile is a type of ivy-like vine with a spicy scent.

3. Look in the yellow pages under "florists" if you live in Hawaii or will be getting married there.

4. Call several florists and compare prices.

5. Visit a few shops to find one you like.

6. Do a search on the Internet for florists who ship leis if you want to have them delivered to you outside of Hawaii.

7. Allow florists enough time to prepare and ship your order to you.

8. Expect to pay for one- or two-day delivery, since the leis need to arrive while they are still fresh.

9. Plan to receive your lei just before the wedding, so it will be at its peak.

10. Remember that you can also purchase leis from florist shops that are located in airports at the larger hotels in resort areas.

Tips & Warnings

• The gesture of giving and receiving leis is a way for people to show affection for one another.

• Hawaiian leis are considered an important part of any ceremony or event, including births, weddings and deaths.