Pull Off a Hawaiian Luau Wedding Reception Anywhere — With Ease
By Kim Crinella
The Hawaiian word luau means a feast. For the people who live in the Hawaiian Islands, a luau is a gathering of family and friends to enjoy savory food, close company and great times.
Because the atmosphere at a luau is about hanging loose — and less stuffy than the usual traditional, formal reception — guests and the wedding couple tend to be more relaxed from the start. And that allows everyone to enjoy themselves to the hilt. Plus, with a little creative styling, you can turn any backyard or banquet hall into a virtual destination wedding!
Secrets to a Successful Backyard Bash
Really encourage your guests to wear aloha attire. This lets them know they can show up in the Aloha spirit instead of the usual Formal Wedding Mood, plus it adds a ton to your reception's island atmosphere.
Then, one of most cost-effective way to add a convincing touch of the tropics is to decorate liberally with fresh, loose flowers. It's amazing what a change in atmosphere a few fresh orchids here and there can manage ... or try the loose blooms of asiatic or gloriosa lilies, pincushion proteas or hibiscus.
Use these exotic florals to lend a Hawaiian touch to your wedding cake, catered plates, bar drinks, table tops, grassy areas, and float-in-water features.
You can even encourage guests to pick up a loose orchid and tuck it in a buttonhole or behind their ear. By the way, in Hawaii, wearing a flower behind an ear is a message with a specific meaning: behind the left ear means you're taken; behind the right means you're available.
Atmospheric Attraction
How much Hawaiiana your reception should hold is up your personal preference ... and budget. Here are some more ways to bring the islands to your backyard or ballroom:
Dress Up Your Guests
Have a few game children dressed in hula outfits greet your guests with armfuls of silk or shell leis (or ti leaf leis for the men).
Razzle-Dazzle 'Em
Hire a live Hawaiian band, and book a troupe of hula dancers ... or even fire dancers ... for a guaranteed high point your guests will buzz about for weeks afterward. Then, bring the fun to the floor by hiring a professional hula instructor to give a basic lesson. Encourage guests even more by offering a fresh floral lei to the first six people on the dance floor.
Virtual Vacation
Set up a sweet tropical scene and a snapper with an instant Polaroid camera, so guests can take a keepsake photo and place it in your guest book.
Tropical Trivia
Translate your guests' names into Hawaiian, and put the intriguing results on their place cards. Then, scatter a few cards on each table containing Hawaiian words and their English meanings, or fun Hawaii-related facts. They'll serve to entertain your guests, give them a conversational starter and teach them a bit about the islands.
Living Beauty
Use whole fresh pineapples and loose orchid blooms to add punch to your centerpieces. Eye-pleasing offerings like fruit kebabs serve both as refreshment and decor. Simple piles of black river stones look stunning next to a white or purple orchid bloom or an asian stargazer lily. And tiki torches are an inexpensive, must-have frame for any tropical setting.
Still, even if your budget's tight, don't be afraid to improvise. For example, you could always play Hawaiian CDs instead of booking a live band. And you could always a special friend (or bridesmaid!) to rent a Learn to Hula DVD and teach the results to adventurous guests. Just keep in mind it's your special day, so focus on whatever appeals to you.
Magnificent put up, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not understand this. You should continue your writing. I’m confident, you have a great readers’ base already!|What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I’m hoping to contribute & help different users like its aided me. Good job.
I have a question. I am now confused with what to do with my reception. I have many chinese themed things like parasols, paper fans and paper lanters now my fiance wants to add a luau theme. i love hawii and dont know if this is possible with out making it look trashy or confusing ppl. is this possible?
Raven,
You can but it can depend on the design of the items. If you have the large ones you can have them laying in strategic spots by tables etc. The paper fans could be folded up and lay in a basket for guests, if you are getting married outdoors in summer then the fans are handy. paper lanterns add to the luau theme, perfect. Most luau themes I have noticed have these things.
one to check out …
Love these with the names and date…
Tropical decorations …
http://www.dliciousinternational.com/International_Cuisines.html” rel=”nofollow”>Second pic….
If you like and could post pics of your items or a link with same item then I could give you a better idea if they will. It would be very helpful and not give you the wrong advice. Thank you!!
In the pics I posted. Look closely at the green and white pic. It would work if you have these type chinese lanterns. you could easily add more pop of color in the florals and tiki torches. As long as there is no writing on them and its just blooms etc. it will work with luau decor. Actually there are some similarities with the decor.
Decor ideas..
thanks the pics are beautiful and very helpful!
I am getting married in April. We are having it in our friends back yard. They have a nice gazebo that we will get married in. I am trying to come up with decorating ideas that wont break the bank. LOL Any suggestions?
Jessica,
What is your color scheme? You posted in the Hawaiian page are you having a hawaiian theme? Plus a pic of the gazebo would be great so I can see what it needs. Will there be other colors in the backyard-flowers, etc.? the color scheme should compliment that.
Jessica,
* here are some gazebo weddings.
My colors arw a blue and soft green. I want a laulu themed reception. The gazebo is an standard gazabo. Sorry I don’t have pictures.
Jessica,
For starters I would look into tropical greenery to decorate with. Then use some tropical fruits to pull in the centerpieces. Think pineapples etc.
*ideas
* check out chic and natural then island paradise
I just threw the most amazing Hawaiian party. The room was spectacular and the centerpieces were perfect. Now that the party is over, I am selling these fantastic centerpieces for half the cost that I paid. They are approx. 4 feet tall. A stylized palm tree starting at the top with a large palm frond, continuing down the tree trunk with lush green leaves and pink orchid flowers, and ending in a cream colored pot with moss to finish off the look. All leaves and flowers are artificial so if your bash isn’t for a while, you won’t have a problem storing them until your date. Each weigh approx. 30 pounds and are incredibly sturdy. The picture that I have posted doesn’t do the piece justice, so have a look for yourself in person. Email with all your questions. I have 18 centerpieces available for purchase at $50 each. If your party is Hawaiian, I have lots of great ideas to share with you and some other accessories for sale.
Hi Beth,
I am throwing a luau party for my family reunion in August. What other accessories do you have for sale? Would love the centerpieces but don’t have the budget to purchase them.
Hi Beth,
I am interested in your centerpieces if you still have them… Please email me. Thanks
Hi Jenn!
I do still have the centerpieces. Can I answer any questions you have? Would you like to take a look at them? I was just looking at my photo album from the party the other day, those centerpieces looked so amazing on the tables. Email back!
Beth
Hi Beth, I am interested in the centerpieces and any other decorations you might have. I am having a Luau for our Rehearsal dinner and May and I think they would look great
I have never posted to this site so I do not know if it shows you my email to send pics directly to me or if you just upload them here? Let me know… Thanks! Jenn
Jenn -
Please email me at bbezark@comcast.net
Beth
They are available. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to take a look.
Do u have any other pics and how much are you looking to sell them for
I can send more pics but not on this website. Please email me at bbezark@comcast.net with a personal email so I can send them to you. I am selling them for $50 each. If you need all of them, we can discuss further.
Beth
I am interested in your center pieces Beth if u still have them..I wanted to get married in Hawaii but my family wants it here so I wanna do a tropical theme wedding..any ideas are greatly appreciated
My centerpieces are available. Please let me know if you would like to take a look at them. They were so fabulous at my hawaiian themed party. I used a lot of pineapples as decorations and gave one to each couple as they left the party. I have some signs that say Luau Party and Aloha on them that were so cute hanging on the pineapples. My placecards were coconut halves with the guests names carved in them. The colors were hot pink and lime green which went perfectly with the centerpieces. Please let me know if you are interested in seeing more pics of the centerpieces.
Thanks! Beth
Yes I would like to look at them…thank u
Please email to my personal email listed above so we can arrange for you to see the centerpieces.
Beth
Please email me. I have a party coming up and definitely could use some advise.
Thanks!
Gayle -
Are you throwing a Hawaiian style party? How can I be of help? My direct email is listed above in my comment to Jenn. Feel free to email that way.
Beth
Beth, your blog says you have pics of centerpieces and you have ideas for a Hawaiian pary. Yes, that is what I am going to have and it will be very tropical.
Thanks!
Gail, I attached one picture of the centerpieces on a table from the party. The picture shown above is the centerpieces just not placed on the tables. I used grass skirts on a couple of the serving tables, gave fresh pineapples to every couple on the way out the door, carved the place cards into coconut shell halves, used small wood signs that say Ahoha and Luau party (for sale as well) around the crowns of some pineapples as decoration, put vintage hawaiian postcards on the tables and had guests write notes on the back. If you would like to see the centerpieces please let me know and if you want to see more pics please send an email to me from your personal email address to my email listed above. I can’t send too many pics on this blog. Thanks!!
Where di you get the greenery for the tops??
amazinggreenhouse.com
Hi do yoou still have the decor if not where did you get it would it be good for a wedding
they are available!
PARTY CITY IS STARTING TO PUT THEIR LUAU THINGS OUT AND THEY HAVE A GREAT SELECTION. I HAVE A BUNCH OF GOOD DECORATING IDEAS
IF ANYONE NEEDS SOME! GOOD LUCK!!!
I’m having my wedding in july! In my parents back yard! Trying to save money but I like the laua hawiann theme! What can I do!any ideas I’m stresssing I want it to be perfectt :)
Hi how would you do a hall for a wedding
I used the centerpieces on the dining tables. They are tall enough if you want to just have them sitting on the floor.
Bev,
One of the best centerpiece ideas is tropical fruit in baskets. Especially using pineapples. You can save even more money by using vases or cylinders from dollartree ( a buck a piece) have soame sand and some shells( at craft stores) and use candles, you can even use floating candles. Greenery is a serious plus. Also consider coconut bowls with candles.
Bev,
Ideas …
Some more great ideas
Bev,
One more link
I am the volunteer coordinator at a nursing home and we are planning our annual volunteer banquet in Sept and want to do a luau any ideas
meagan,
check walmart for summer luau decor, they should be marking it down. leis for everyone. also look at saveoncrafts.com they have a ton of very inexpensive stuff.
here are some planning links:
*how to plan a luau
*luau theme party
*luau theme
Can you help me find some kind of stamp were you can put metalic names on black river stones? I saw one I loved the name of the guest was “coleen” and it was on http://www.theknot.com and it was a couple named Cerena and Brian who got married in Stroudsburg Pennsylvania at a place called the “stroudsmoor country inn” . If you are wondering why I am telling you all this..it’s because there are pictures on http://www.theknot.com if you put in this infromation so you can see the final product of what I am looking to do :) THANKS SO MUCH
-Tara 
tara, unfortunatle i am not much help. it appears to be a custom stamp. any print or craft store should have what your looking for.
I am getting married in the Dominican Republica and then coming back to the states to have a reception. I would like to have a tropical theme with a limited budget, I need ideas. It would be such a great help .. Thank you
Hi Neal, I’m sure you have lots of planning done now, but here are a few more ideas for you!
First, a board full of some inexpensive ideas (see pic). Not sure how formal you wanted, but the first photo is a great way to decorate elegantly but simply. Check out this larger pic for a better look. You see there are some real blooms there, which looks classy, but not many. The fake orchid bracelets are cute on the napkins. Inexpensive sand, shells and jars extend the centerpiece and painted wooden table numbers with the ribbons & shells are sweet and jazzy. This is a really great creation.
If you don’t mind getting a little more “festive” get some tan grass table skirting for the head table or banquet tables, this comes in 9 foot lengths. You don’t have to top it with cheesy fake flowers, again use monstera leaves or palm fronds with a few real florals and fresh pineapples.
If your friends/family will get into the fun ask them to dress “cabana” and maybe get some inexpensive silk hibiscus hair combs, have a cute child hand them out from a pretty basket. No woman fails to feel festive with a flower in her hair.
Hopefully some of the other pics provide inspiration. If you have a friend who’s good at pumpkin carving, some of those watermelons would set the mood. How about tiered hibiscus cupcakes instead of a cake? Pineapples can make great CPs on top of monstera leaves or tatami mats.
Glowing paper lanterns are BIG drama and so cost-effective! Large colorful paper parasols can also be hung upside down, even lit with twinkle lights, or used to line a path. It’s easy to dress up tiki torches and make them look custom and chic. Use organza ribbon, then tie on flowers, huge shells, starfish. Use cocktail umbrellas generously! You could tuck them into truffles or citrus fruit halves and attach a small name card.
Finally, line up lots of exotic looking punch, really jazz this up with creative flavors and bright colors in martha stewart big glass jars. Make blue lemonade for the kids. Slice up fresh fruit to put in the punch and use fresh springs of mint.
Finally, the big guns (ambiance)! With a budget you can rent palm trees, fabulous. But even without, you can “make” palm trees by attaching fronds (real or fake) to poles. Light them up with twinkle lights. Or if you are a great gardener, buy some hibiscus plants ahead of time. They can really grow into monsters with a green thumb! Great for the corners of the room, again light them with twinkle lights for an evening wedding.
Oh, and one last idea: DIY network has a GREAT how-to on creating your own cymbidium orchid bouquets. If you are adventurous this will show you just how to do it and have a VERY high-end bouquet for scads less!
Is there any way I could get bigger pix of that collage? I need it to be be bigger so we can see more detail. Thank you!
Heidi try clicking on the collage, then click on it again, you should see a magnifying glass icon appear over the pic. With the second click it should open up pretty large … hth!
These are absolutely wonderful ideas for a tropical theme wedding! My fiance and I want to go to Hawaii to get married but would also like to celebrate once with return for family and friends who may not be able to join us. I will surely use these in planning. Thank you Dawn P.
I just got engaged Sat and we’re getting married the end of Jul (this year)…I am having a very simple outdoor wedding with a (luau type) reception. I can’t spend a whole lot. I still want it to be very “tasteful” at the same time. With getting started on ideas, I’m struggling. I want flowers everywhere!! In my flowergirl’s hair, my hair. I just need help in getting started. I would love to run off and get married but can’t !!1 Help, I want it to be FUN, unique, and memorable for EVERYONE!!!!
Order decorations fom oriental trading company they are very reasonable and quite beautiful. wal-mart has live hibiscus plants that are beautiful.
I am also having a Luau wedding reception. I have bought all my decorations, monogramed champagne glasses and cake knife set from there. Everything I needed was only $150.00