25 Hawaiian Wedding Songs, from Ke Kali Nei Au to Iz

What is the Hawaiian Wedding Song?

"Hawaiian Wedding Song" is the English version of "Ke Kali Nei Au", written by Charles E. King in the 1920s. Andy Williams had a hit with it in the late 1950s, and Elvis Presley sang it in the 1961 film Blue Hawaii, where it became the island wedding song. It is still the most requested song at Hawaiian weddings, often during the lei exchange.

Classic Hawaiian wedding songs

1. "Hawaiian Wedding Song (Ke Kali Nei Au)", Elvis Presley: the island wedding classic.
2. "Can't Help Falling in Love", Elvis Presley: also introduced in Blue Hawaii.
3. "Blue Hawaii", Elvis Presley: the title song of the film.
4. "Sweet Leilani", Bing Crosby: the Oscar-winning 1930s ballad.
5. "Beyond the Reef", Bing Crosby: a gentle island standard.
6. "Lovely Hula Hands": the hapa haole standard for the hula.
7. "I'll Remember You", Don Ho: written by Kui Lee.
8. "Tiny Bubbles", Don Ho: the cheerful toast song.
9. "Pearly Shells", Burl Ives: a sweet island singalong.

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and island favorites

10. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World", Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: the most beloved Hawaiian recording.
11. "White Sandy Beach of Hawai'i", Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: soft and dreamy.
12. "Island Style", John Cruz: a modern local favorite.
13. "One Paddle, Two Paddle", Kui Lee: a happy song about the islands.
14. "Hawai'i Aloha": the song people sing together, hand in hand, to close a celebration.
15. "Aloha 'Oe", Queen Lili'uokalani: the queen's farewell song, for the send-off.

Wedding songs by artists from Hawaii

16. "Better Together", Jack Johnson: the North Shore surfer's love song.
17. "Bubble Toes", Jack Johnson: playful and sweet.
18. "Banana Pancakes", Jack Johnson: a cozy morning song.
19. "Marry You", Bruno Mars: the fun wedding anthem from the Honolulu-born star.
20. "Just the Way You Are", Bruno Mars: a first dance favorite.
21. "Count on Me", Bruno Mars: ukulele-driven and easy to sing along to.

Beach wedding songs with an island feel

22. "Kokomo", The Beach Boys: a fantasy island getaway.
23. "Island in the Sun", Weezer: breezy and bright.
24. "Three Little Birds", Bob Marley and the Wailers: easygoing reassurance.
25. "Upside Down", Jack Johnson: for the kids at the reception.

For more beach songs, see our songs about the ocean, and for island classics beyond the wedding, our songs about Hawaii.

Hawaiian wedding traditions and their music

• The conch shell: the pū is often blown to open the ceremony, calling everyone together.
• The lei exchange: the couple exchange lei, often while the "Hawaiian Wedding Song" plays or a musician sings.
• The oli: some ceremonies begin with a traditional Hawaiian chant.
• The hula: a hula dancer may perform during the reception, often to a song like "Lovely Hula Hands".

Hawaiian songs for the processional

An ukulele or slack key version of "Can't Help Falling in Love" or "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is the most popular processional, and many couples walk back up the aisle to "Better Together" or "Marry You" for a joyful exit. See our processional songs for more ideas.

Hawaiian words you will hear at the wedding

• Aloha: love, affection and greeting all in one word.
• Ipo: sweetheart.
• 'Ohana: family, including the family you choose.
• Mele: song.
• Mahalo: thank you.

Ukulele and slack key wedding music

Many island weddings use a solo ukulele or slack key guitarist instead of a band. Ukulele versions of "Can't Help Falling in Love", "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Better Together" work beautifully for the processional, and a slack key guitarist can play softly through the cocktail hour.

Hawaiian songs for the first dance

For the first dance, the favorites are "Can't Help Falling in Love", the Iz version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", "Better Together" and "Just the Way You Are". They are slow, sweet and easy to dance to in the sand. For more, see our first dance songs.

A destination wedding playlist

Start the ceremony with the conch shell and an ukulele "Can't Help Falling in Love", play Iz and slack key during cocktails, open the dancing with "Marry You" and close the night with everyone singing "Hawai'i Aloha" together. Guests flying in from far away will remember that last song.

Hawaiian wedding songs for a vow renewal

Hawaii is a favorite place to renew vows. For a renewal, "Hawaiian Wedding Song", "I'll Remember You" and "Can't Help Falling in Love" honor the years together, and the Iz medley makes a gentle moment for the couple and their children or grandchildren to share.

A Hawaiian-themed reception at home

Not marrying in Hawaii? Bring the islands home with a luau-style reception: a lei for every guest, Iz and Don Ho during dinner, a hula lesson before the dancing and "Tiny Bubbles" for the toast.

A song written for your island wedding

A personalized song can tell your story with an island sound: how you met, why you chose Hawaii and what you promise each other. Couples play it during the first dance or send it to guests after the wedding.

How to create a wedding song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: acoustic, pop and more.
2. Add both your names.
3. Share three moments from your story together.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Bring your love story to the islands: create a song and hear four previews for free.