The Hawaiian island of Kauai is one of the places in the world most suitable for a romantic wedding and honeymoon. The wedding can be on the beach or on the grounds. The wedding can be on the beach or on the grounds of a hotel. Weddings at Koloa Landing Resort in Kauai at Poipu can combine the South Shore beach with a luau reception at the beautifully landscaped tropical resort.
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Your reception can be an authentic luau or a mixture of traditional luau foods and other cuisines. Your hotel can provide a variety of menu suggestions. Florists are available for a wide selection of orchids, hibiscus, fragrant plumeria and other local blooms.
Traditional luau
The original luau was a Hawaiian celebration of a special event. Few things are more special than a wedding!
The luau was often held on a beach where a kalua pig was roasted in a pit or imu. Other foods included dishes made from pineapple, coconut and taro root. Poi was the pounded taro root. Fish may also have been added to the menu.
Today’s luau menu includes:
Pupus, Hawaiian appetizers of rumaki, ono ribs and shrimp
Grilled fish or poultry in place of the pig roast
Barbecue ribs
Lomilomi salmon
Hawaiian sweet potatoes
Pineapple and coconut delicacies
Sushi and sashimi if desired
The celebration meal can be a brunch, luncheon or dinner. Guests can enjoy a buffet or table served meal. A traditional wedding cake is always available in any design. Liquid refreshments can include non-alcoholic tropical fruit drinks or the popular Mai Tai and other rum drinks. Sparkling wines will also add to the festivities.
Guests are given real flower and shell leis. Table centerpieces can be designed around any theme.
Entertainment
Traditional Hawaiian music includes the slack-key ukulele and guitar played softly in the background. Local bands provide traditional music along with pop tunes for dancing.
Entertainment can include traditional hula performances with guest participation. The Hawaiian hula is smooth, sensual and romantic, always telling a story. Many island songs and dances celebrate weddings including Ke Kale Nei Au, the Hawaiian Wedding Song, written in 1926 by Charles King.
Locations
Ke’e beach at the north end of Kauai is a magnificent location for a wedding although you may want a reception at one of the Princeville hotels. Lumahai Beach is another remote location where the wedding party and guests hike through a jungle trail to the beach.
Beach weddings are popular during the day. A twilight or torchlight wedding can be held on the beach with a reception at the neighboring resort.
Often, the hotel resort with lush tropical landscaping is the preferred location for a romantic wedding either by day or night. Koloa Landing Resort and other Kauai hotels have lovely swimming pools and even waterfalls as a backdrop to the wedding. Lighting adds an exotic atmosphere.
Formal weddings can be held inside special rooms at most hotels. This is often preferred during the rainy season. Guests can always stroll outside around the grounds in dry weather.
Planning the wedding
Most couples who have a Kauai wedding live on the mainland. Wedding planners are available throughout the islands to help couples with wedding plans from the actual ceremony to the reception and honeymoon.
Planners communicate with the engaged couple through email and phone to make all of the arrangements. This includes:
Ceremony
Food arrangements
Entertainment
Transportation
Flowers
Photography and videography
Professional planners cover all of the necessary steps and provide a realistic budget for the couple. Planners will offer information about the different types of ceremonies and arrange for ministers and other officials. A traditional Hawaiian wedding has the bride and groom exchanging leis at the beginning of the ceremony.
The planners work with the hotels and resorts, caterers and other vendors. The bride, groom and their attendants only have to arrange their air travel. The guests also make their own travel arrangements. Hotels and resorts will offer a block of rooms for a wedding party that includes their guests.
This service is offered by professional planners or hotel and resort event staff. This makes wedding plans very easy for the engaged couple. Everyone will enjoy a warm Hawaiian welcome in the true Spirit of Aloha.
Images from Elishka Ku for Design SCENE Magazine by Jurgen Knoth
