Hawaiian wedding ceremony music

It's interesting:
"Even world class comics know what it's like to die on stage, and a wedding ... Nobody wants the soundtrack of their wedding night to be a chorus of loud groans."

Many Hawaiian traditions have been passed down for generations and Hawaiian music is no exception. It often depicts the history of the Hawaiian people, and is used throughout weddings to complement the surroundings and help set the island mood by incorporating traditional instruments into the ceremony.

1. Pre-ceremony Music

   • Live musicians playing Hawaiian instruments such as the ukulele and slack key guitar while hula dancers gyrate are common forms of entertainment before an Hawaiian wedding. Popular songs often played include "My Island Paradise," "White Sandy Beach," "Maui Wedding Song" and "New Beginnings." "Over the Rainbow," which was originally written for the movie, "Wizard of Oz," was later famously recorded by Hawaiian musician Israel "Iz" Ka'ano'i Kamakawiwo'ole. That version became popular in the 2000s as an Island wedding song.

   Kahu and Mele

   • One Hawaiian wedding ceremony tradition is for the "Kahu" (priest) to escort the groom down aisle. The Kahu traditionally will sing a chant, or "mele," to introduce the man who is about to marry to the wedding guests.

   Conch Shell

   • The sound of the conch shell, or the "Pu,' is believed to call on the land, air, fire and earth to witness the wedding ceremony. The Pu is also used to signify royalty or the beginning of an important event, much like a trumpet. In weddings, the shell is sounded in all four directions, starting with east, to announce that the bride is heading down the aisle. The sound of the conch shell is quite musical, though no traditional "songs" are actually performed on it during traditional wedding ceremonies.

   Hawaiian Wedding Song

   • "Ke Kali Nei Au" is the traditional name of the most popular song for Hawaiian weddings. The song, more commonly called "Hawaiian Wedding Song," was composed by Charles King in 1926. Elvis Presley made it famous in his 1961 film, "Blue Hawaiian." It is usually played following the exchange of rings in a wedding ceremony, and is often accompanied by hula dancers.

   Other Songs and Chants

   • Other songs and chants refer to Hawaii's "aloha spirit" of giving thanks for all that is sacred in life. Sometimes, the wedding will include the "E Ho Mai" chant at the beginning of the ceremony, which calls upon the divine power (Mana) to bless the location with wisdom and power. The bride and groom often exchange leis at some point during the ceremony. During the Lei exchange, the "Lei Pikake" song is usually sung a capella by the Kahu and guests. During the ring exchange, the priest will often chant, "Eia iha no ka maluhia o na lani me kakou a pau," which bestows blessings from the heavens onto the couple. The chant "Kumu Tis'a Kalili, Kahula o ka Moana Pakipika" is performed at the end of a ceremony and wishes the couple a wonderful life together.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding ceremony, Hawaiian wedding, Hawaiian wedding ceremony, Wedding Song, ceremony music