Maui Wedding Photographer

Wedding Traditions And Superstitions To Consider

There are many wedding traditions and superstitions that go along with the act of becoming husband and wife. Most people have forgotten, or never knew, the traditions or superstitions that go behind some of the many rituals that are performed in our everyday weddings. For many, we just take them for granted and never really learn the history of these traditions.

For instance, if you wear pearls on your wedding day you allegedly won’t cry since the pearls represent the tears you might otherwise cry. That is just one of the many old wives tales that many of us know about, but not the reason behind it. Many people are not aware where these superstitions originated from, regardless that they are well known worldwide. In addition, many opinions differ on these superstitions on whether or not they really are good or bad luck.

Rain Rain Make It Go Away

Some superstitions say that rain on your wedding day is considered bad luck because it may represent the many tears a bride will cry throughout her married life. While others consider rain on a wedding day good luck, because it will bring with it fertility and good fortune, as it means that the rain will sustain and replenish the crop. Some also believe that rain on your wedding day is a cleansing for a new life as husband and wife. Either way you believe most would prefer not to have rain on their special day and that your luck is just an old wives tail. Many believe if you want to stop the rain, just boil some rocks or hang up some rosary beads in your window the night before your wedding, and rain is sure to stay away.

Evil Spirits and Babies

Do you know the reason why we tie cans to the back of cars or why flower girls drop rose petals down the aisle? The thought of tying cans together is thought in a way so that if the cans make a lot of noise, it will ward off the evil spirits. As for the rose petals, superstition has it so that the bride and groom will have many chances to bear children together. A lot of these superstitions can be a bit on the morbid side. For example, if the bride’s dress rips, that means that the marriage will end in death or if the lit candles in your wedding go out, it is meant that an evil spirit is about.

Time and Rice Throwing

Have you ever thought about what time of the day your wedding might mean or if there is a good or bad time to get married? Superstition is that you should say your vows when the hour hand on the clock is going up so that within your marriage you will work together. However, if the hand is pointing down it is considered bad luck. So why do people throw rice at the new couple? You might be surprised to learn that it was thought to feed the evil spirits so it would distract them and keep the new couple safe. Another known reason is that it was thought to be a way of wishing prosperity and fertility on to the new couple.

Months of the Year

There are a lot of funny little rhymes that often go along with weddings. One of the rhymes goes with the different months of the year, which would then reveal whether or not it is good or bad luck to marry on that day. If you’re superstitious, then after reading the rhyme you may want to consider changing your wedding month or just leave it as is and turn your cheek to the superstition. The rhyme goes as follows:

“Married when the year is new, he’ll be loving, kind, and true, When February birds do mate, You wed nor dread your fate. If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you’ll know. Marry in April when you can, Joy for Maiden and for Man. Marry in the month of May, and you’ll surely rue the day. Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you’ll go. Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bread. Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see. Marry in September’s shrine, your living will be rich and fine. If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry. If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember. When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last.”

Hawaiian Weddings; Things To Know

Is there anything more romantic than a wedding in Hawaii? Hard to come up with one isn’t it? Therefore, since you are about to experience one of the greatest days of your life, allow me to give you some important insight and what you can expect from Hawaii as you plan to kick off your new life.

Best Times To Go

Is there really a bad time to go? Not really, but like anywhere else, there are times that are better than others. Obvious times of the year are during the summer when you have slightly warmer temperatures. However, in Hawaii temperatures usually average in the 70’s and 80’s throughout the year.

A more important weather notation is Hawaii’s rainfall. Hawaii is one of the largest rain forests in the world and it rains often. However, due to the flow of Hawaii’s trade winds, the rain generally hits most often on the northeastern parts of each island and in the mountains. Therefore, if you plan your Hawaiian wedding on a southwestern part of an island, you have a much more likely chance of nice and clear weather.

Wedding Styles

If you are not familiar with Hawaii, I suggest a Hawaiian coordinator. They can bring to you a selection of Hawaiian traditions, customs, cultures and sense of Hawaiian tranquility and relaxation.

In deciding a style for your Hawaiian wedding, there are many options you can choose from. You can go with traditional indoor weddings at one of many locations or maybe you prefer an outdoors wedding in a garden area or on the beach.

You can also make your wedding as simple as you want or more complex; you are in Hawaii after all. Maybe you want to include waterfalls, horses, the ocean, volcanoes or even take a helicopter to some remote location. The options are endless with a Hawaiian wedding.

Your Honeymoon

Hawaii is one of the top destinations for any honeymooners, whether you are married on the islands or not. Plan ahead and list everything you want to do and see while you are here. Some of the items may be on different islands, so do your homework and be prepared.

First there is lodging. Hawaii has some of the most beautiful resorts around or you can go more local and rent a condo or villa. Although most areas are short drives, consider your activities and restaurants when deciding where to stay. No matter where you stay or what you do, you are here for two reasons: Hawaiian Paradise and Each Other.

Which Island Should You Go To

After listing all your events, be sure to check them against what each island has to offer. Many of the islands offer many of the same things, but some do not. If you don’t mind traveling from island to island, then you’re set. However, if you are budgeted for less travel, then research the islands and see what they have to offer before making your choice.

After all, if you are set on lying out on Waikiki Beach and visiting Pearl Harbor, but plan on staying in Maui, you will realize these are different islands. So do you stay in Maui? Change to Oahu? Or simply do both? Once again, plan ahead and don’t wait until you get here, you may be disappointed.

To help with this, here is a quick rundown on the Hawaiian Islands as you prepare for your Hawaiian wedding or honeymoon.

On Molokai, you will find this island to be one of the more natural states as it is the least affected by big business. If you are more into cultural experiences, this may be the island for you.

Maui is often considered to be the most romantic of the islands. There are many things to do, even if it’s simply doing nothing. Anything from ocean walks and boating experiences, to up country farming. From waterfalls and tropical paradises, to a night on the town. Maui offers a variety of different things to do and see.

The biggest island is called, Hawaii. Much like Molokai, the “big island” offers more of a cultural setting. The weather here is like no other. The world has 13 climatic zones and this one island can experience 11 of them alone. From sun, to rain, to even snow topped mountains. Hawaii also offers some of the best lava flows around.

Kauai is your garden island. This is the island of beautiful tropical appearances that has been the stereotype in the movies or television. If you are an outdoors kind of person or prefer a slower pace, Kauai is for you.

The island of Oahu generally has the most action. This island is home to Honolulu, the state capital, as well as Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head and much more. If your preference is for a faster pace and action, Oahu should be your choice.

As you can see, there is so much to offer for a Hawaiian wedding. Plan ahead and make the most of it. You will never forget Hawaii.

Wedding Traditions and Superstitions

In Japanese and Chinese culture, the number “four” is synonymous with “death”. Therefore, when giving gifts do not have the number of items or money figures symbolizing the number four. In Chinese, the numbers nine (eternity), eight (prosperity), two (harmony), six (prosperity) are lucky. The number five is a negation. For example, five-eight=to not prosper. five-two=not harmonious.