Plumeria, also known as the lei flower, make beautiful centerpieces for a Hawaiian luau wedding.
A Hawaiian luau wedding reception lends itself to an outdoor celebration. Possible outdoor locations include the park, the beach, a large back yard or a camping site, which accommodates large groups and outdoor cooking. It also allows for a casual approach to the food, decorations, centerpiece and entertainment options during an indoor celebration .
Food
Roast a pig or goat in the ground the old Hawaiian way, by placing the meat, wrapped up in leaves, into a pit over hot coals and letting it cook for hours. An alternative would be to make barbecue pork, teriyaki chicken or beef, char siu, a sweet spare rib dish or chicken adobo. Side dishes include green salads, fruit salads, corn chowder, sushi and sweet, plain or fried rice. For dessert, serve sweet banana bread or a cake made from banana, coconut or guava.
Decorations
Set up tiki lights around the perimeter of the site and red lanterns on the tables to create a soft glow. Spread palm leaves on top of the tablecloths but underneath the food to add texture to the room. Hand out leis to the guests as they enter the reception area. Infuse the room with bundles of flowers in vases so the scent of flowers permeates the room. Be creative with the decorations.
Centerpiece
A Hawaiian centerpiece allows you many options. You can add one palm leaf to a large square vase and place a large piece of coral inside or add a conch shell on top of the leaf with a taper candle. Another centerpiece option is a handful of peach colored plumeria in a vase, or mix the different plumeria colors within one vase. You also could fill a hurricane glass with sand part way, place a lei inside with a white taper candle or several tea lights.
Entertainment
A disc jockey spinning the Top 40 hits pales in comparison to a hula girl telling a story to music strummed on a ukulele, a fire dancer or a Tahitian dancer shimmying her hips to the sound of drums. Set up an interactive Hawaiian dance lesson during the reception, and set up a fire pit for guests to mingle around.
Tags: Hawaiian luau, Hawaiian luau wedding, luau wedding, taper candle