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Hawaiian wedding leis are a long tradition in the islands and one which
most Maui wedding couples like to honor. Leis are made out of fresh flowers
that are strung on a string so that they can be placed around your neck. But
there is also haku lei, worn by brides, which fits around the top of her head,
just above the forehead and to the back of her head. And there are also ankle
leis usually worn around just one ankle.
Leis are fragrant and fragile. They symbolize the fragile nature of a
relationship and how it must be nurtured and protected. When given with aloha,
they are a romantic way to say "I love you." We include a lei exchange in all
of our ceremonies and ask our couples, when giving the lei, to kiss the
recipient on both cheeks as a loving symbol of their aloha.
Leis add to the wedding celebration and also enhance the photography. John
will use those leis in many different way in his pictures, sometimes placing
them on the table presentation, or in a heart he creates at the ocean's edge
where he writes "Just Maui'd" in the sand.
Males receive either the regular flower leis or what we call a leafy maile
lei, which is an open lei composed of more greenery and which hangs down the
groom's chest. We also have another lei which is closed that is composed of
braided greenery using ti leaves, which are often given to men. Unless it is
an open lei draped down the front, we generally encourage the leis to be worn
have in front (at the bodice line) and half on the recipient's back. This
gives a better, more balanced look for our Maui wedding photography.
Leis come with many different colors depending upon the flowers. We encourage
our couples to select either vibrant colors or pastels (which are usually much
whiter), depending upon the colors they prefer or the clothes they are
wearing. We usually choose the flowers based upon the colors you desire.
Plumeria and tuberose are very fragrant. Orchids, crown flowers, and elima
(for orange colors) are other flowers that we often use. We have many pictures
of leis on our website and a page just for flowers. (Click the title of this
article above to go to that page).
If you are coming to Maui, you will want Hawaiian wedding leis on your special
day. They are just what you think of when you picture a paradise dream
wedding.
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