Aloha, ______and _______We are gathered here today in this sacred space to join you together in holy matrimony.  

(Upon request): And so I ask; who gives this woman to be wed to this man today?

(If requested): Blowing the Pu  (conch shell). I will speak of the Hawaiian protocol connected to the conch shell and how the sound represents the ancient Hawaiians when they came to Maui as well as the wedding couple. This symbolizes the journey from before you met until now and the spiritual connections to it. It also is a call and invitation to your ancestors if the can be here in Spirit.

________&________ You have chosen to be united in Makena. I would like for you to be aware of where you are.  Makena translated in Hawaiian is about an atmosphere, this is the about the calm of the sea.  It is this feeling of tranquility. (If site location is not Makena, I will speak of that place.)  Now I want you to take some deep breaths.  Feel God’s breath, the breath of life on your skin (the breeze).  Feel the sun’s rays upon you, listen to the drumbeat of the rolling surf, listen to the birds in the distance, and smell the fragrance of your flowers (or if no flowers the smell of the ocean or air).  I want you to breathe all this in now, so in the future you may recall this when you need strength.

Lei exchange

In the ancient language of Hawaii, leis have always symbolized an extension of love, acceptance and welcome. Each of these have been gathered with Aloha and strung together with Aloha.  They symbolize how you will weave your own lei of Aloha with your family and friends as husband and as wife. When you exchange these leis here you will be sealing this moment for all time and space.  When I give these leis to you, I welcome you to each other and to some of the concepts held sacred in these islands.   The lei exchange joins 'ohana.  Ohana is two individual families coming together to make one stronger family.  'Ohana joins families and cultures in lokahi (unity).  These gifts are from the land (kalepo).   They represent the temporal and to embrace and live fully in each moment. This moment, your flowers, this day will not last.   So I would now like to teach you a word with this lei exchange. “Malama” (couple repeats malama).  Malama means to care for and nurture each other.  If you take care of each other each day with all your heart, as best friends, lovers, partners, husband and wife, then your days will flow into weeks and those weeks will grow into months, and years down the line you will find yourselves growing old together.  Every day you live is a blessing, so, malama each other.   So express your love by giving a lei to your beloved and sharing anything from your heart to be sealed in this moment.  Then you will ‘honi’ give each other an ancient Hawaiian nose kiss.  Touch your noses together and rub noses. It will make you laugh. [The groom goes first]  You know Aloha means hello, goodbye, welcome and love.  Alo haaaaaaaa.   It also means the breath of life, the long descending breath of God.  You are joining today in body, emotion, mind and spirit.  So to share your very life force with each other, your “ha” is sacred. [Bride gives lei and shares some words and gives honi.]  When you find that you are not in a harmonious place one of you say. “Honey honi honi”! And keep giving love and rub your noses till you both smile.  For life is to short to waste and love is to precious.

 What of Marriage

And it was asked of the haumana (student) "What of Marriage?" and the Kumu replied "You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore,” Yes you shall be together even in the silent memory of God. But let there be spaces in your togetherness-and let the winds of heaven dance between you.  Love one another, but make not bondage of love; let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.  Sing and dance together and be joyous- but let each of you be alone- even as the strings of the harp are alone, though they quiver with the same music.  Give of your hearts- but not into each other's keeping- for only life itself can contain your heart.  Stand together- yet not too near for the pillars of the Temple stand apart, and the Kukui tree and Koa grow not in each other's shadow.  Look around you now at these trees.  You see they all give each other the space to grow, live fully and blossom.  Upon Request: Personal vows or a love letter to each other may be added here, as well as music or hula.

Statements of Confirmation

This ceremony will be the same as above.  Just without prayer, mention of God or the spiritual aspects of life or union.  I will not bless the rings.  I will speak of love, life and marriage only, no Religion.

I will speak of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in the ceremony.  I will pray in Hawaiian and in English. We will have the following scripture reading from (I Corinthians 13).

     Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude.  Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right, Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends.  Therefore, faiths, hope, love, abide these three, but the greatest of these is love.

     I may also quote: John 15:12 “Love one another, as I have loved you.”  Or Ephesians Chapter 5, Paul says this about marriage:  “Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.  For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”  The union of husband and wife merges two persons in such a way that little can affect one without also affecting the other.  Instead, it means caring for your spouse as you care for yourself, learning to anticipate his or her needs, helping the other person become all he or she can be.  I am happy to incorporate other readings upon request.

Religious will include scripture readings and prayer to Jesus Christ.  Ceremonies may also include telling them that I know you think they planned all of this.  However God had a plan for each of you before you ever even knew each other’s names and faces.  It was destined by God that you would meet, fall in love and marry on this very day.  Knowing this, whenever you find the seas are rough and turbulent, pray together.  Your love, prayer and forgiveness will always be your guiding light in this covenant of marriage. I will also add a closing prayer in Hawaiian/English.

The ancient ceremony includes everything in the traditional ceremony, plus the following:

Pu (conch shell) with explanation of what the four blows represent.  A Hawaiian blessing chant.

Couple will feed each other Niu (coconut) drink or pudding cake with 23K edible gold or Awa root drink.  Couple will be given a keepsake sacred wedding bundle, personalized with drawings, names and date of marriage.   Inside the bundle are 3 blessed Maui objects to begin the bundle.  Each year couple will add to it on every anniversary.  It is also used in marriage as a talking bundle.  Couple will be taught how to use this so they will never argue.  Hands will be anointed with holy oil and will be bound in sacred cordage during vows.  Couple will be wrapped with a blessed wedding kapa or will be given blessed keepsake kukui nut bracelets to seal them in light.  Rings will be blessed.  Hawaiian prayer will be said for couple.  Personalized keepsake coconut cups are available with an additional charge.

Pu (conch shell) will be blow at the conclusion of ceremony to seal the moment.

Upon request: Holy water may be sprinkled upon rings. Ho’opono pono process: This process allows you to release the past through forgiveness so that you may fully live in the present.  This will take an additional 3 minutes or so in the ceremony.  Once strengthened by your past, you are free in this eternal moment to move forward totally in  Male 'ana (marriage).  A Ti leaf may be added here for bride and groom to step upon. A ho’okupu (offering) will be provided to offer to land or ocean after ceremony, to thank ancestors. * There will be an additional fee added for this Ancient Ceremony.

Hawaiian vow-renewal ceremony

Greeting

 Aloha________&__________ welcome.  We are gathered here in paradise surrounded by this pristine beauty to celebrate your union.  You have brought us together so you may re-new your commitment today.  You have been called to ________ Maui to declare your love.  We are blessed to witness this great joy you share.   Your relationship and marriage has stood the test of the times so far and the many challenges you of faced in this world.  We acknowledge the ____ years that you have been together in this sacred covenant, and offer our Blessings to you for your continued happiness.

Pu (conch shell) and/or Hawaiian chant:  (Upon request)

I would like to offer you a blessing chant, to welcome you to this place and to each other.  I will call to Ke Akua (to the highest to all that is good and true) to come and bless you.  We acknowledge your ancestors as well and welcome them in Spirit.  If family or guests are present > (This chant and blessing extends to each of you present here. May you be blessed during this ceremony as well.

When you exchange these leis here, you will be marking this place on earth for all time and space. They symbolize the extension of your Aloha (love) and the importance of Ohana (family).  These flowers have been strung together signifying how you will weave your own lei of Aloha in the days, months, and years ahead.  They also represent how your union has joined your families. These leis will not last. They are a reminder to Malama  (take care of) each other every day you live and breath. To live each day fully.  Please give your Ku’uipo (sweetheart) this lei and repeat after me. Then Honi (touch noses) this is to share your Ha (breath) and smile. GROOM  “My beloved wife I encircle you with this lei”  BRIDE  “My beloved husband I encircle you with this lei.”  (touching each others leis) Please both repeat after me.   On this day I surround you with my love.  I chose wisely ____years ago and today is a confirmation of that.   Thank you for loving me, and letting me love you. Honi (rub noses/breathe in)  Tt will make you laugh. (Children, family members or guests can be honored here with leis) This is a Hawaiian custom and suggested for family or witnesses to have extra leis.

Please extend your right hands.  ________ &_________ With open hearts and hands. “Do you promise more then ever to love, honor, cherish and respect your partner for all the days of your life.   “I will” Please join your right hands together.  Do you vow not only to continue to take care of your partner but also to do your part by taking care of yourselves?  “We do” Keeping your hands and hearts together gaze now into each other’s eyes.  This person has graced your life and is now your best friend.  So gaze into these the windows to the soul and breath into your partners heart. Feel yourself in here.  For your love is now living in your partner’s heart.  Feel this hand that has been there for you.  Look in these eyes your place of refuge.  Listen now to the heartbeat of the rolling surf.  Feel Gods breath on your skin.  Breathe in the fragrance rising and dancing through the rays of the sun. Listen to the birds in the distance. (If in a chapel the words will differ.]

(Pause)  Do you re-new your vow today, to share all of your tomorrows, to stay only unto each other for better or for worse for richer or for poorer in sickness and in health for all the days of your life.? “We do”

If there is anything of your past that no longer serves you and your highest good together, let it go now.  Through trust and faith, compost it beneath your feet.  As you breathe deeply.  Here in this fertile soil you will plant new seeds.   For this is the time to re-new yourselves, and your Spirit so the new seeds can grow and bear fruit.  Please close your eyes for a moment and go within to search yourself.  Forgive and ask for forgiveness…Welcome healing now…..You may do this on a deeper level during your time in our Islands.  Bathe in the ocean or go to a stream and cleanse.  Here the Spirit of Aloha can enter you and dwell in the house of your hearts.  Then you can recall it whenever you need in the future, and it will follow you on your path. If you seek this place within, peace and harmony will follow you.  Please repeat: Will you forgive me for all or my past thoughts, words, actions or deeds.? “Yes my beloved I forgive you and now forgive myself”

These rings have encircled your fingers and reminded you of your continue commitment.  Now you will sanctify this moment, by the exchange of these unbroken

circles one again.  May you elevate your love now by giving your partner this ring again, as well surround there finger with the endless circumference of your devotion. Remember now your first kiss and your wedding day.  Rev. Alalani blesses rings

Groom “With this ring I re-commit myself to you as your husband.  With devotion I encircle you with my love.” Bride “With this ring I re-commit myself to you as your wife.  With devotion I encircle you w/ my love” Remember this moment like your first kiss and your wedding day.

With every Sun and Moon that rises and sets.  Through every season that passes, may you create cherished memories.  May your future together flow like this eternal moment. With that and the power invested in be by God before these witnesses it is my honor and privilege to re-pronounce you husband and wife.  Groom “I think you know what to do now.”

Personal vows, music, etc. may be incorporated into wedding ceremony.  Religious ceremony: Includes Pule (prayer) and scripture readings.  Contemporary ceremony does not mention God or Jesus..

* Ancient ceremony there will be several additions. Anointing with Holy oil, Sacred cordage, Wrapping in a blessed wedding Kapa (pounded bark cloth) or Kukui bracelets (rings of light), Coconut, Kulolo or Awa fed to each other from a ceremonial coconut half.  A personalized Sacred Wedding Bundle with names and date, to be used in the marriage. *Keepsake cups available. *Extra charge