Hawaiian lei exchange
A wedding custom in Hawaii in which the couple place leis of flowers over each other's heads.
Also: lei exchange, lei ceremony
In a Hawaiian wedding, the couple exchange leis, garlands of flowers, shells or leaves, as a mark of love and respect, and may place others on the necks of their parents. A lei of fresh maile leaves, open at the ends, is one traditional choice for the groom, and flowers like orchid, plumeria or tuberose are common. A kahu, a Hawaiian officiant, may bless the couple with a chant, and a conch shell may be blown. The custom is also used in many weddings for visitors in Hawaii, and Native Hawaiians stress that practices should be taken from Hawaiian practitioners.
Region: Oceania