If you really want to experience Hawaii weddings, then you need to be sure to include some island food on your wedding menu. This is a great way to pay some homage to the island and its culture and chow down on some very good food. When it comes to Hawaii weddings, keep these food ideas in mind when planning your menu.

Hawaiian food is a mixture of American, Filipino, Japanese, Polynesian, and Korean cuisine. Many of the foods take advantage of the luscious fruits and plants that grow on the island. There are some Hawaiian dishes that are very common and have become regional favorites. There are slight variations on the cuisine depending on what island the Hawaii weddings are taking place on, but there are some common foods that stretch across all the islands.

Fresh fruit is a large part of the Hawaiian cuisine. Fruits like pineapple, papaya, mango, jackfruit, and lychees are commonly made into a large fruit platter or salad and can serve as an appetizer for the wedding.

Being that Hawaii is an island, seafood is a popular choice for Hawaii weddings. Lobster, crab, shrimp, scallops, and all kinds of fish like mahi-mahi, tuna, and swordfish are very common in Hawaiian cuisine. Other common options for weddings would be some type of pork or prime rib. These entrees are usually made with the flavors of the island such as teriyaki sauce, pineapple relishes, and kalua.

There are also specific side dishes that people tend to choose for Hawaii weddings to get the flavor of the island. Poi one of the most common side dishes served in Hawaii. Many people use it as an alternative to potatoes. Poi is made by smashing the corm of the taro plant, which is the underground stem of the plant. Poi does look like mashed potatoes but taste much different.

You can finish the wedding menu off with a lilikoi tart or a Kona coffee cheesecake in addition to your wedding cake.

Adding island specific foods into Hawaii weddings is a great way to make your wedding more involved in the destination and to get your guests to be able to experience the food of Hawaii as well.