Hawaii Weddings
Traditional Hawaiian Wedding Destination – Comparison with Regular Wedding
If you are planning a travel package that includes traveling to Hawaii for your wedding, you might want to consider experiencing real-life on the islands by having a traditional Hawaiian wedding.
These ceremonies are nothing like the typical tourist type wedding ceremonies. In fact, many ceremonies incorporate ancient Hawaiian customs and traditions once only performed for chiefly classes in Hawaii. Other ceremonies seek to blend both Hawaiian customs and Western customs to provide elements of beauty from each, giving couples the Western traditions they expect in tandem with a Hawaiian flair for a unique and memorable ceremony.
Some facts about a traditional Hawaiian wedding you might find interesting enough to incorporate in your own wedding ceremony include the term Ho’ao, used by ancient Hawaiians to describe marriage. It translates to “stay until the dawn” and has very romantic connotations. The ritual ceremony behind ho’ao was considered sacred but taboo in ancient Hawaiian times. These ceremonies were traditionally performed on the 11th day of the month, or Huna. The night of Huna has also been referred to as ho’ao, in honor of the nuptial ceremony. Many people have planned their weddings in Hawaii have incorporated some element of ho’ao into their ceremony.
Just like regular Western traditional weddings, traditional Hawaiian wedding ceremonies include prayers, blessings, traditional songs, and the exchange of symbolic gifts. In a Hawaiian wedding the bride and groom exchange ceremonial lei garlands to symbolize their love, much like Westerners exchange rings. For couples on vacation in Hawaii who wish to exchange or renew their vows, these traditions make for a beautiful wedding, even if their plans are impromptu. Incorporating Hawaiian traditions like these into their ceremony provides the exotic touch of Hawaiian mysteries such as chants and songs that help bring the spirit of Aloha to their nuptials.
There is beauty in all traditional wedding ceremonies. Celebrating the love and lifelong commitment of two people, whether through a traditional Hawaiian wedding, a traditional Western wedding, or a wedding that incorporates elements of both, epitomizes aloha and all that it means.
What better way to start a life together than to begin with a ceremony steeped in tradition and the celebration of love set in a gorgeous tropical paradise like Hawaii. After the ceremony, your honeymoon paradise is only as far as a few steps down the beach. Hawaii is the perfect spot, not just for your wedding or honeymoon, but also for any romantic vacation.
