This is our second page of Hawaiian wedding leis. Here you will find more lei moments from our Oahu weddings and vow renewals: lei exchanges on the beach, leis glowing at sunset, couples by the tiki torches, and leis in the wedding setup.
Below the photos is our lei guide, with the traditional ways Hawaiian leis are made, tips for choosing your lei colors, Lei Day, and how to keep your lei fresh. For maile, plumeria, orchid and kukui nut leis, see our main Hawaiian flower leis page, and read the story of the Hawaiian lei. Click any photo to see it full size.
Real weddings
The Lei Moment
The moment a lei is placed over your shoulders is one you will never forget. Here are lei exchanges and happy moments from couples on Oahu’s beaches.
Golden hour
Leis at Sunset
Flower leis glow in the warm light of a Hawaiian sunset. Add a sunset photo shoot to your wedding for pictures like these.
Fire & tiki
Leis by the Tiki Torches
Flower leis and the flicker of tiki torches go hand in hand. Many couples light a unity tiki torch together as part of their ceremony.
Celebrating love
Vow Renewals in Leis
Leis are just as meaningful the second time around. These couples renewed their vows in Hawaii wearing fresh flower leis. See more on our vow renewals page.
Aloha for all
Family, Friends & Fun
Leis bring everyone together: the wedding party, the hula dancers and even the cake.
Decor
Leis in Your Wedding Setup
Leis are not only for wearing. We drape them on the table, wrap them around the tiki torches and lay them on the sand, ready for the lei exchange.
Lei guide
How Hawaiian Leis Are Made
Every lei is made by hand. Hawaiian lei makers use several traditional styles, and each one gives the lei its own look.
Kui
Flowers strung one by one on a needle and thread. This is how most plumeria, orchid and pikake leis are made.
Haku
Flowers and ferns braided into a base of fiber or leaves. This style is used for the haku lei, the flower crown worn on the head.
Wili
Flowers and leaves wound onto a base with a fiber, often used for leis of mixed greenery and blossoms.
Hili
A single material such as ti leaf or fern braided or twisted together, like the twisted ti leaf leis for the men.
Hipuʻu
Stems and vines knotted together. The open maile lei for the groom is made by twisting and knotting the vine.
Humupapa
Flowers sewn flat onto a backing, often used for lei hat bands.
Lei guide
Choosing Your Lei Colors
White
Classic and elegant: white plumeria, white orchid and fragrant tuberose leis go with every wedding theme.
Pink & yellow
Sweet and tropical: pink, yellow and rainbow plumeria leis are a favorite for the bride, the bridesmaids and the moms.
Purple & blue
Rich purple orchid leis and turquoise or ocean blue orchids match a beach theme beautifully.
Green
The green maile lei for the groom, plus kukui nut and ti leaf leis for dads and groomsmen.
Good to know
Lei Day & Caring for Your Lei
May Day is Lei Day
Every year on May 1st, Hawaii celebrates Lei Day with lei contests, hula and music. It has been a Hawaii tradition since 1928.
Keeping your lei fresh
Keep your lei in its box or bag in the refrigerator, not the freezer, and lightly mist it with water. Orchid leis last the longest, and delicate plumeria are best on the day they are made.
After the wedding
In Hawaii a lei is never thrown in the trash. Many couples dry their lei as a keepsake, or return it to nature by hanging it on a tree or burying it, after removing the string.
More Hawaiian wedding flowers: flower leis · haku leis · plumeria · hibiscus · bouquets · flower circles
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Hawaiian leis made?
Hawaiian leis are made by hand in several traditional styles: kui (strung with a needle), haku (braided into a base), wili (wound onto a base), hili (braided from one material such as ti leaf), hipu'u (knotted, like the maile lei) and humupapa (sewn onto a backing).
What colors of leis can we choose for our wedding?
White plumeria, orchid and tuberose leis, pink, yellow and rainbow plumeria leis, purple and turquoise orchid leis, and green maile, kukui nut and ti leaf leis. We match the leis to your wedding colors.
When is Lei Day in Hawaii?
Lei Day is celebrated in Hawaii every year on May 1st, a tradition since 1928, with lei contests, hula and music.
How do I keep my wedding lei fresh?
Keep the lei in its box or bag in the refrigerator, not the freezer, and lightly mist it with water. Orchid leis last the longest, and plumeria leis are best on the day they are made.
What should we do with our leis after the wedding?
In Hawaii a lei is never thrown in the trash. Many couples dry their lei as a keepsake, or return it to nature by hanging it on a tree or burying it, after removing the string.