The call of the conch shell, the pu, announces the bride and brings the spirit of old Hawaii to your beach wedding.
How Much Does It Cost to Have a Conch Shell Blower at Your Wedding?
A conch shell blower comes to your wedding and starts the ceremony by sounding the conch shell to the four directions: first the east, then the west, the south and the north.
Conch shell blower $150 · included in all of our wedding packages
The Hawaiian Conch Shell (Pu)
In Hawaiian, the large conch shell from the ocean is called a pu. It can be as large as 12 inches long and is blown much like a trumpet. Played well, its deep sound can carry for miles. In old Hawaii the pu announced chants and hula, and signaled the arrival of the king’s canoes as they came to each island. It is still used today, on every island, to mark royalty or the start of an important event.
At a Hawaii wedding, the conch shell is sounded right before the bride begins her walk, letting everyone know she is coming. By tradition it is blown to the four directions, starting with the east, then the north, the west and the south. Your minister or kahu usually blows the pu, though some grooms love to try it themselves. One groom at his Kailua beach wedding practiced before the ceremony so he could sound it for his bride.
The conch shell is also a beautiful part of your wedding setup and photos. We often place it on the ceremony table in a wooden bowl circled by a white shell lei, or beside the cake with ti leaf leis, blue orchids and white ginger flowers.
Hear the Conch Shell
Paul blows the conch shell at a Hawaii wedding
Gallery
Sounding the Conch Shell
Ministers, kahu and grooms announcing the bride. Click a photo to see it full size.
Video
Minister Paul Agung Sounds the Conch Shell
Minister Paul Agung, founder of Aloha Island Weddings, sounds the pū as the prelude to the wedding blessing, calling everyone in from the sand and the sea before the vows begin.
Gallery
The Conch Shell on the Beach
Wooden bowls, shell leis, orchids and plumerias.
Gallery
Conch Shells in Wedding Setups
Beside the cake, the champagne and the sand ceremony.
Real weddings
Real Weddings with the Conch Shell
Tap a photo to see the couple’s whole day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the conch shell called in Hawaiian?
The large conch shell is called a pu. It can be up to about 12 inches long and is blown like a trumpet.
When is the conch shell blown at a wedding?
Usually right before the bride begins her walk down the aisle, to announce her arrival, and again at the end of the ceremony to celebrate the newlyweds.
Why is the conch shell blown in four directions?
By tradition the pu is sounded to the four directions, starting with the east, then the north, the west and the south.
Who blows the conch shell?
Usually your Hawaiian minister or kahu. Some grooms like to blow it themselves, and we are happy to help you practice.
Is the conch shell included in your packages?
Yes. The blowing of the Hawaiian conch shell is part of the ceremony in all of our wedding packages, from the Manoa package to the Kuulei Reception. If it is not included in yours, it can be added for $150.
“Sea shell, ocean song, play your melody. Sing about the ocean, tell me about the sea.”
See more Hawaiian traditions: our ministers, the sand ceremony, the tiki torch unity ceremony and haku leis.
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