Tropical Wedding Theme: A Hawaiian Luau Celebration

A tropical wedding theme is a very popular beach wedding choice for many couples. Break out the grass skirts and practice your conch shell blowing as you prepare for your tropical luau wedding.

Each of the different tropical islands in the world have their own traditional wedding customs that are particular to their culture. Probably the best known customs come from Hawaii and one of their wedding traditions is quite fascinating.

Origami Cranes:

It is customary to have 1001 origami (tsurus) cranes folded from metallic paper prior to the wedding, a tradition that began sometime during the 1960's. Usually the cranes are professionally folded, mounted and framed so as to be displayed at the wedding reception and then the new home. It is said that the crane lives for 1,000 years and represents good luck, good fortune, longevity, happiness, fidelity and peace.

Let your guests give a try at folding their own good luck origami cranes. Have colored paper with instructions placed at each table setting. It should invoke some good humored conversations as each tries to get their crane put together. Plus it makes a lovely keepsake for your guests to take home after the reception.

Here's a video that teaches you how to fold a crane:

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"Hang Loose" While We Set Up The Décor:

You don't need to be on a tropical island beach in order to create the atmosphere of a tropical wedding theme. Let the decorations do it for you. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Set large pillar candles on flat candle holders. Surround the bottom of each candle with small flowered leis.
  
  
• Decorate using orchids or other tropical flowers placed singly in a clear, straight, non-decorative vase. Surround the vase with 4 or 5 tea lights or votive candles in glass holders for stunning table centerpieces.
  
  
• Use coconut shells cut in half and scooped out or pre-made coconut bowls to hold condiments, rolls, etc.
  
  
• Float hibiscus and seashell candles in a clear glass bowl. Tint the water blue if you wish.
  
  
• Don't forget to place fake palm trees around the room to create a tropical atmosphere.
  
  
• You could set mini tiki candles on serving tables and tiki torches outside (if you are holding your celebration on a beach).
  
  
• Line the entrance to the ceremony or the reception with tropical luminaries.
  
  
• Copy, enlarge, and cut out tropical flowers and parrots. Tape these to walls, around doorways, along the front skirts of tables, etc.
  
  
• Sprinkle tropical style confetti on tables.
  
  
• Scoop out pineapples and use the fruit for cooking and desserts. Use the hollowed shell as a centerpiece to hold tropical flowers.
  
  
• Wrap your serving tables in raffia table skirting instead of plain white skirting. This is an easy way to give the room a tropical wedding theme feel.
  
  
• Add some pink flamingos outside a doorway leading out to a patio or garden.
  
  
• Use bamboo placemats at each table setting.
  
  

• As is tradition, presenting your attending guests with a small thank-you favor is expected. Simple, tropical wedding theme favors are easy to find - and to make - so you don't need to overspend in this area. Below are several ideas that fit this theme perfectly. You can also find additional ideas here.
  
  
• Give your guests Hawaiian Lei's. They come in a variety of colors and you can get them for either the neck or wrist. Types available are: poly leis, floral silk leis, and as sea shell necklaces.
  
  
• Coconut or pineapple shaped votive candles are also a unique and fun wedding favor.
  
  
• Carefully drill a small hole in large seashells. Tie a ribbon through the hole in a loop for hanging. Glue sprigs of dried flowers and a small bow ribbon to the shell. These make nice wedding favors that guests can use as Christmas ornaments, if your wedding is around that time of the year.
  
  
• Fill small tropical treat bags with seashell shaped chocolates and/or candy.
  
  
• Find some large seashells and place 2 or 3 miniature seashell soaps in the scooped side of the larger shell. Wrap in tulle or clear cellophane and tie with ribbon.
  
  
• Print a favorite poem on parchment paper. Burn the edges slightly. Roll up and place in small bottles for "Message in a Bottle" favors.
  
  
• Put together a collection of Hawaiian and other tropical songs and burn them on a CD. Make your own personalized CD labels and give these as special favors to your guests.
  
  
• Collect an assortment of Hawaiian and other tropical recipes and create unique cookbooks for everyone. Take them to a local copy center to for printing.
  
  
• Buy packages of Hibiscus seeds at a local garden shop. Repackage them into small white envelopes on which you've printed a color picture of a hibiscus, the term "Hibiscus Seeds", your names and wedding date. Don't forget to include planting instructions!
  
  
• Here's a unique tropical wedding theme favor that is "very Hawaiian." Hand out personalized packages of Kona coffee.
  
  
• Wrap packages of chocolate covered Macadamia nuts into small flowered favor boxes.
  
  

A "Luau" means an elaborate Hawaiian feast featuring traditional foods and entertainment. In a traditional Luau, whole pigs are roasted in a pit dug in the ground call an imu. The hole is lined with leaves such as banana leaves and a salted pig is placed inside then covered over with more leaves. Very hot rocks are added to the pit and everything is enclosed in burlap The pit is filled in again with soil and the pig is left to cook for the entire day. When it's time for the luau to begin, the pig is dug up and served as a dish called "kalua pig".

If you are having a buffet or cocktail reception, be sure to begin the evening by serving a Pupu platter. This is an assortment of small meat and seafood appetizers. Give your guests a variety of Hawaiian cocktail choices at the bar too.

Whether you are having a sit-down meal or a buffet banquet, you'll definitely want to include Hawaiian and other such tropical dishes. The following is a list of the more popular dishes that you can pick from as you work out the menu for your tropical wedding theme feast.

Hawaiian Wedding Song and Blessing:

Sensational Seaside Weddings:
Your Complete Guide To Planning
A Beach Theme Wedding

• Lei is a Hawaiian word for a garland or wreath. In Polynesian cultures, a lei is something that is created by someone and given to another as a sign of affection. The custom of giving and receiving leis began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries between the Hawaiian Islands and the United States as a symbol of affection when tourists were arriving or leaving.
  
  
• During a wedding ceremony the kahuna pule (religious man) bound the hands of the bride and groom with maile leis as a symbol of the couple's commitment to each other.
  
  

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