Nothing embodies the beauty and majesty of the islands more than the Hawaiian lei. A lei is traditionally presented with a kiss and words of aloha, to celebrate a special moment in the life of someone held dear. Perhaps the most intimate lei presentation is the fresh flower wedding leis exchange at a Hawaiian wedding.
Gently placing the lei around each other brings Bride and Groom in close contact, surrounded by the glorious perfume of tropical flowers. The wedding lei exchange is a perfect complement to the exchange of rings and vows and one of the Maui wedding traditions.
Just as vows can be customized to reflect the couple’s personalities, so can the lei. 
Some grooms prefer the maile (my-lee) lei of green leaves or a lei made of kukui nuts or shells. If the bride doesn’t want to cover that perfect dress with a neck lei, she might choose the h
aku lei, a crown of flowers to make her feel like a princess.
The sharing of lei can include other loved ones, such as the parents of the couple. The bride and groom honor their parents by presenting them with lei, while both sets of parents welcome their child’s chosen spouse into the family by adorning them with lei. If the exchange with the parents is a bit much for the wedding ceremony, it can be performed at the rehearsal dinner or perhaps the next-day brunch instead. Giving lei to members of the bridal party, particularly the maid of honor and best man, is a uniquely Hawaiian way to thank them for their role in the wedding and in the lives of the bride and groom. If your Maui destination wedding guests traveled far to be with you on your Maui wedding day, honor each wedding guest with a fresh tropical flower lei upon arrival.
Choosing the lei flowers is a fun and fragrant experience with the abundance of tropical beauties in Hawaii. The colors can match or contrast interestingly with the wedding theme colors. Scents range from intoxicatingly fragrant to teasingly delicate, and even little to no scent for those who prefer it. The choices seem almost infinite, but popular ones include:
| Tuberose | – | White tuberose flowers whose sweet, long-lasting scent is sometimes compared to jasmine or gardenia. |  |
| Orchid | – | Little or no scent and a veritable rainbow of colors. |  |
| Pikake | – | Tiny and white with a lite sweet fragrance. |  |
| Maile | – | Long, green leaves with a sweet fragrance. Traditional wedding lei for the groom, an open-ended lei that hangs down to about the waist. |  |
Leis can be handcrafted to reflect the style of the wedding, too. A formal wedding calls for a more intricate design, perhaps incorporating several different types of flowers and colorful accents like ribbons or beads. A simpler design is more appropriate for an informal ceremony, concentrating on one type of flower and employing muted or earthy tones, such as from kukui (koo-koo-ee) nuts or shells.
While choosing leis to exchange and wear, the couple may consider choosing some to accent the wedding and reception decorations, too. A colorful orchid lei encircling a creamy white cake and a whit
e shell lei around a beverage fountain add mouth-watering temptation to the table. A long lei draped over a row of chairs politely signifies reserved seating. Placed on the sand and fashioned into the shape of heart, a lei helps to create a romantic and whimsical photograph of the newlyweds.
Sometimes a lei is chosen for the island it re
presents. The official flower lei of the Big Island is the lehua. On Maui, it is the lokelani, meaning heavenly rose. Because this flower is so rare, a lei for a Maui wedding may incorporate traditional pink roses. Kaho’olawe is represented by the hinahina, a beach flower. The yellow and orange kaunaoa represents Lanai, while the white blossom of the kukui tree signifies Molokai. The flower for Oahu is the ilima. Kauai is known by the mokihana berry, and Niihau by the pupu shell lei.
For the creative couple, these island leis can be used in conjunction with a unique reception seating chart. Tables are designated not by numbers but by islands. The centerpiece consists of that island’s official lei or even a matching floral arrangement.
Offering such beauty and versatility, the lei is an integral part of the celebration of love that is a Hawaiian wedding with aloha.
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