Hawaiin Style Wedding Reception

I am begging for suggestions. Yes, that is me on my knees. My DD, with all of us present, was married last Dec in Waikkii, St Augustines Church. Now we are hosting a "hawaiin style wedding reception" at our home, ever so humble. My dear friend, a professional caterer is helping me and all family members have "to do" lists for the next 3
weeks. I am asking you all for suggestions for everything from food to decorations to music, dress,etc. Getting tiki lamps for yard. I want this to be fun and casual. Both DH and self have large families. Creative minds and souls please respond. I am sitting here with check book in hand and overwhelmed. This child is so dear and unassuming. She starts her student teaching 2 days before the Sept 6 reception. Thank you, thank you!

will try to think of something...........the pineapple appetizer came to mind though first.........just not sure how it's done but it's something stuck into a pineapple with a bunch of toothpicks. I'll brainstorm some more, just took my meds a bit ago so not thinking too straight right now........lol

How many people?

I saw this thing on tv about a hawaiian wedding. The reception was all sushi, etc. Japan is a heavy influence over there. I suppose you want to go more old school hawaiian though. Have a luau!


Hey! I know, ask Lani (Ponditis). She was born there. :)

This message was edited Friday, Aug 8th 9:47 AM

DS was married 1 year ago and they went to French Polynesia for their Honeymoon. I did a luau type thing for the rehearsal dinner. It was loads of fun for everybody - tiki torches, plastic leis, little umbrellas for the drinks, a couple Harry Belafonte calypso tapes and a long bamboo pole to play the limbo. I'll post the recipes on the recipe forum. Here's a photo of them on their Honeymoon - they wrapped them in a tahitian wrap and crowned them! I'm sure you could make the same crowns with some pineapple stalks and some tropical flowers for your DD.

frogsrus, est. 120 count. But we have changed the location to the park like setting of friends of ours that own a little cafe on Columbia River. Thank Goodness. I was getting panicky about my 2 lil' toilets (2 bathrooms) and all those people. I am still doing all cooking etc just serving it somewhere else, 3 miles away. Dea, will go to recipes and thank you.

anastasia, bless your heart for doing all the cooking for that big a wedding party! Wow!

If you need more ideas, let us know. I have Hawaiian family connections (my brother married a Hawaiian woman) and can get you tons of ideas about how Hawaiians celebrate.)

lupinelover, please share!! And I am not doing this all alone. "Fools rush in where wisemen never tread . . . "

E-mailing my beloved nieces now for their suggestions.

I heard back from one of my nieces, Sarah Melia.

According to her, it is more the "feel" than the actual menu that is a big part of their traditions. So lots and lots of tropical flowers, lots and lots of tropical fruits piled high on platters made of palm leaves (or other tropical-style plant leaves), whole slow-roasted fish (swordfish is very popular -- can you get one?) and roasted pigs displayed on platters, are the most important things.

Open-air, or use canopies that have palm fronds tied to them, Hawaiian music is a must, and very relaxed, informal atmosphere.

I can give you recipes for some of the true Hawaiian food, but trying to find ingredients might be a challenge, not to mention that they are not too familiar to people, so they probably wouldn't enjoy them much. Things like poi and taro root. Custard made using rice flour. Fried plantain.

OH! Fried plantains are THE best. mmm....:)

Thank you lupinelover. I have reviewed several authentic menus and know they would not go over too well with this mainland crowd. Dea gave me some great recipes. She even used an oven roasted pig for her party. The more I think about it the more I imagine the atmosphere is most important. Hawaiin/poylnesian music is essential. The invitations state "Hawaiian attire suggested".