Vintage Hawaiian Bridal Shower

By Jeanne Benedict
Hula Girl BobbleHula Girl Bobble at Amazon

Everyone loves a luau! This Vintage Hawaiian Bridal Shower celebrates the bride who has a cool, retro style and a fabulous group of friends. Surrounded by kitsch Hawaiian décor, sipping Polynesian drinks, and dancing the hula, this will be a shower the bride-to-be will never forget.

 

Inlaid Shell Pendants at Oriental TradingInlaid Shell Pendants at Oriental Trading

Welcome Guests with Island Jewelry

Flower leis are gorgeous but costly, and silk leis may be too casual for this affair. For a lasting memento, welcome party guests with island jewelry like seashell bracelets or leis. Or give classic island style a contemporary mainland edge, by putting inlaid shell pendants and carved shell flower charms on bead chains. Oriental Trading has a beautiful and affordable selection of shell charms, reminiscent of traditional Hawaiian artistry. If it suits your crowd, set up a jewelry making station, where guests can create their own Polynesian accessories.

 

Frank Macintosh Hawaiian Luau Greeting cards at Hawaiian DaysFrank Macintosh Hawaiian Luau Greeting cards at Hawaiian Days

Vintage Hawaiian Theme

Capture the spirit of Aloha with retro hula girl accents and tiki totems on the table. Luaus were all the rage in the 50’s when Hawaii became a state, and mid-century Hawaiian images have been reproduced on everything from cocktail napkins to greeting cards and invitations. You’re sure to find a few kitsch collectibles for your party on Ebay, such as a serving tray depicting all the Hawaiian Islands or a wooden bowl shaped like a pineapple!

Hula Girl Coasters at Plum PartyHula Girl Coasters at Plum Party
Hula Girl Accents

Hula girl art is a must have at this bridal shower. I found some hula girl coasters at Plum Party and a hula salt and pepper set at Party Details. Don’t forget a dancing hula girl bobble for the bar.

Tiki Tabletop Totems

Many brides still follow the folkloric wedding custom of wearing “something old, new, borrowed, and blue.” Embrace Hawaiian culture and wish the bride well by decorating buffet and dining tables with lucky tiki totems. At Hawaiian Days I found tikis symbolizing, long life, money, even fertility. Place tiki totems on a bed of tropical leaves for a table full of good fortune.

 

Aloha Activities

“Greetings From Hawaii” Mural and Photo Op

Set up a Hawaiian mural for photo ops throughout the party. Put a digital camera nearby so everyone can take a picture. Download the photos after the shower, and email your guests with a thank-you or “Greetings From Hawaii”!

Hula Contest

Have a hula contest where guests dance to an island classic such as “Blue Hawaii” or “Tiny Bubbles.” Each participant acts out the song “hula-style” for one minute, as onlookers vote by secret ballot for the best performance.

 

Trader Vic's Book of Food & DrinkTrader Vic's Book of Food & Drink

Hawaiian Feast on the Fly

I have a vintage cookbook collection that includes Trader Vic’s Book of Food & Drink, published in 1946. What is essentially a book on entertaining, reads like a seafarer’s tale written by the famous restaurateur. One of the menus in the book is for “A Chinese Dinner in the Trader Vic Manner,” with recipes for Chow Mein, Paper-Wrapped Chicken, and classic Polynesian fare. My advice: make a couple of dips and tasty nibblers, and then order from your local Chinese restaurant to complete your Hawaiian feast.

Trader Vic’s Scorpion Punch

A classic party recipe from Vic’s book that serves 12 people.

1 1/2 bottles Puerto Rican rum
2 ounces gin
2 ounces brandy
16 ounces lemon juice
8 ounces orange juice
8 ounces orgeat (almond flavoring)
2 sprigs mint
1/2 bottle white wine

Mix thoroughly, pour over cracked ice; let stand two hours and add more ice. Garnish with gardenias

Polynesian Party Ware

With the luau being such a party theme, there is a wealth of Hawaiian themed party ware on the market. Make Trader Vic’s Scorpion Punch and serve it in an official scorpion bowl! Offer Mai Tais in coconut cups and Keoke coffee in tiki mugs. I’d definitely use real china for this party, but if you want a disposable option, these tropical flower plates are cool.

Aloha and mahalo for sending photos to our Celebrations Community of your Vintage Hawaiian Bridal Shower!

 

Jeanne’s Favorite Hawaiian Appetizer Recipes

Mai Tai Salsa for Taro Chips

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup seeded, diced Roma tomatoes
3/4 cup diced papaya
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro leaves
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon pineapple juice
1 teaspoon Jamaican rum
1 tablespoon Amaretto or crème de almond
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 (1 lb.) bags taro chips

Preparation

Add all ingredients, except taro chips, into a bowl and stir to combine. Cover salsa and refrigerate until ready to serve. Let salsa stand for 1 hour at room temperature before serving so flavors blend. Place the taro chips in a bowl, and serve with Mai Tai Salsa on the side. Makes about 2 cups of salsa.


Caramelized Maui Onion Dip for Veggies

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
1 large Maui or Vidalia onion, peeled and diced
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 beef bouillon cube, crushed
2 cups sour cream

Assorted Raw Vegetables:
 Baby Carrots
Celery Sticks
Broccoli Florets

Preparation

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add brown sugar and remaining 2 tablespoons butter and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar caramelizes, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Mix together crushed bouillon cube and sour cream until blended. Add cooled caramelized onion and mix until combined. Cover and refrigerate until party time. Serve as a dip for fresh veggies. Makes 2 1/2 cups of dip.

Coconut Rum Shrimp Appetizers with Pineapple Dipping Sauce

From Sophisticated Entertaining by Jeanne Benedict

Ingredients

 1 lb. (50-count) medium raw shrimp, peeled, deviened
1 cup Malibu Rum
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 (16-oz.) package tempura batter
Water
1 (8-oz.) package sweetened, flaked coconut
Vegetable or canola oil

Preparation

Marinade shrimp in Malibu Rum for 1 hour, covered and refrigerated. Toss together flour, chili powder, and salt in a medium bowl until combined. Place coconut on a dinner plate and set aside. Drain shrimp of Malibu Rum. Toss shrimp in flour until coated. Prepare tempura batter according to instructions on box. Batter should be the consistency of pancake batter and ice cold. Pour oil 3 inches deep into a medium saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Coat shrimp with tempura batter and roll in coconut. Drop 3-5 shrimp at a time in hot oil and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels of excess oil. Place shrimp on serving tray or in kale lined basket and serve hot with Pineapple Dipping Sauce. Makes about 50 shrimp.

Pineapple Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

1 cup orange marmalade
3 tablespoons canned, crushed pineapple

Preparation

Melt marmalade in a microwave-safe bowl in 15-second increments until smooth. Stir in crushed pineapple until blended. Bring to room temperature and pour into small dipping bowl. Serve with Coconut Rum Shrimp. Makes about 1 cup.

 

 

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