Wedding Lei Beautiful and Exotic Wedding Flowers

Generally, when you think of a lei, you think of a closed flower lei. While this is the most often seen, there are many other types. Lets take a tour of some of the most common seen leis in the islands.

KUI

A piercing stitch is used. This is what is thought of usually and is used with common flowers such as plumeria, roses, and carnations. The flowers are pierced with thread and sewn together.

HAKU

This is a three-ply braid method. Softened tree bark or long leaves are braided together and foliage and flowers that have long stems are braided in with it.

HILI

This method uses only one material, usually a vine or fern, and braids them together.

HILO

The materials are twisted, double helix, and intertwined. Two strands are twisted together to form a rope. The most common is the Ti leaf.

Any of these can be closed or open. It is not uncommon to see an open lei that merely rests on the shoulders and hangs down each side.

Flowers are beautiful in the tropics and a lei made from orchids, ginger, tuberose, plumeria or carnations offer you fragrance and color. You can easily find one that matches the colors that you are using in your wedding.

Ti leaf and maile leaf are beautiful on their own or woven with flowers.

Kukui nut leis are, not only beautiful, but last well, too. They can offer a unique lei experience.

Shells can make for an everlasting lei. Some of the most popular are the shells from the hawaiian island of Ni'hau. This island is authentically Hawaiian and the leis are very sought after.

The giving of a lei is a sign of love and shouldn't be taken lightly. They are offered in congratulations and should be accepted, always. To refuse a lei that is given is a sign of disrespect.

A wonderful way to show your love at your wedding is to exchange leis. The bridal couple can do this with each other or you can even have one given to each of the parents to signify two families being united. It is a wonderful and caring gesture.