Tropical flowers are especially beautiful, fragrant and colorful.
But what do they symbolize? Flowers all over the world are revered not only for their beauty but also their meaning. Red Roses, for example, represent love and romance. So what about tropical flowers? Many couples come to Hawaii for a wedding in paradise, and so use tropical flowers for bouquets, hair decorations and leis. Flowers in Hawaii come in many shapes, colors and sizes, so if you are wondering which flowers would be the best to use for your wedding here, read on.
In these next few blogs, we will focus on tropical ‘exotic’ flowers and their meaning to better help you decide which flowers are best for you. The most popular flowers used in Hawaii are Hibiscus, Plumeria, Tuberose, Orchids, Pikake, Bird of Paradise and Ginger. Although most of these flowers are not native to Hawaii, they are now an intricate part of today’s Hawaiian culture and ceremony.
Hibiscus
One of the most well known flowers in all tropical regions is the Hibiscus. Native to Hawaii and many other islands of Polynesia and Asia, they come in many colors such as red, yellow, white, pink and over 200 combinations. Their traditional meaning “delicate beauty” is quite accurate, since it wilts soon after being picked, making it a poor choose for a wedding bouquet. However, Hawaiians revere the flower as a symbol of great power and respect, which reflects its status today as the State Flower. Hibiscus is often worn behind one ear to signify whether one is single (right ear) or in a relationship (left ear).
Plumeria
White Plumerias
The Plumeria, also known as Frangipani, is one of the most fragrant tropical flowers. It symbolizes perfection, springtime and new beginnings. Colors vary from white, yellow, pink and red to orange.
Pink & Yellow Plumerias
With its lovely smell, the Plumeria is popular worn behind an ear or in leis. A lei is a necklace of flowers given to express love, respect and to welcome arrivals. Plumerias also make great wedding bouquets and table decorations.
Orchids
Probably the most popular tropical flower used in wedding bouquets and leis are Orchids. Three of the almost infinite varieties are indigenous to Hawaii. Orchids are all colors of the rainbow and symbolize refinement and beauty. This is probably the easiest flower to match your wedding style.