A touch of cultural tradition: Pua Kalaunu
The groom's mother was almost whispering when she touched my hand softly and said, "His Auntie's in Hawaii hiked up the mountains to pick these flowers so they could make these for their wedding day." She then, very gently, pulled out this delicate bridal lei, made of pua kalaunu flowers (or "crown," flowers).
These were lovingly made specifically for the couple and sent all the way across the ocean from the groom's native Hawaii to give them a little piece of home to honor them.
These flowers were said to be a favorite of Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawai'i and is seen as a symbol of regality.
As a cultural wedding photographer in Oregon, I have great respect and appreciation for cultural traditions. The tenderness of this cultural wedding detail was so personal and heartfelt.
This gift, handmade and foraged with all the best of wishes, was just a quiet moment on their wedding day, but oh, how poignant these little moments can be.
Sometimes the most beautiful moments of your wedding day aren't the expected ones. Sometimes they're the ones that aren't on the timeline, the ones that are subtle and sweet.
My best advice to engaged couples? Hire a photographer who understands you and your cultural wedding traditions. Anticipating and capturing moments like this is a finely honed skill. Make sure they have the strength in knowledge, both emotionally and technically, to not let a single one of them go unnoticed, uncaptured, or unremembered.
Are you planning on adding a little cultural tradition to your wedding day?
Cultural wedding traditions don’t have to take center stage on your day. While some prefer for their cultural traditions to be front and center, others favor subtle nods. Luckily, you can create a day that honors as many as you desire to! Blending cultural wedding traditions into modern day ceremonies is easier than ever, especially with an experienced planner!
Need help merging different cultural wedding traditions into your ceremony? Reach out!
Hawaiian Wedding Tradition, Vietnamese Wedding, Asian Wedding, The Grotto in Oregon, Pua Kalaunu Bridal Lei
