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How to Host an Elegant Hawaiian Party Theme

Looking for Hawaiian party theme ideas? Follow these simple tips to hosting an elegant luau party friends and family won’t forget.

Whether you are hosting a casual get-together, summer or birthday party, hosting a tropical Hawaiian luau is a super fun way to celebrate.

There are many ways to throw one but to me, the best parties are the ones that are easy to pull together.

So my best advice is to keep things as simple as possible with Hawaiian party theme decor, menu, and activity ideas.

Today, we are hosting an elegant Hawaiian party with friends in the potager garden as part of my monthly virtual supper club where my friends and I are sharing luau party ideas.

But you can see the food for luau ideas here.

So be sure to check out all of the inspiration at the end of this post. And if you are coming from Libbie’s from a Life Unfolding, Mahalo!

Wait until you see how easy it is to host a Hawaiian party theme!

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Click here to shop my vintage farmhouse with close up of the front porch with flowers

What Is a Luau?

They are so much fun!

A luau is a Hawaiian party or feast that is accompanied by some form of entertainment like hula and fire dancers.

Have you ever been to a luau before?

We’ve been to Hawaii twice and enjoyed the most beautiful luau dinner parties.

My inlaws live there, so it is a wonderful place to visit and hang with family.

How to Host an Elegant Hawaiian Party Theme

Luaus are so much fun with lots of activity, beautiful decor, and a delicious feast with incredible entertainment.

If you have the opportunity to visit the beautiful island of Oahu, you have to go to Germaine’s Luau.

It is AMAZING!

Book early if you want to experience an authentic Hawaiian luau.

While we can’t all be in Hawaii with an authentic luau, we can create our own at home with these tips.

hawaiian party theme dinner table with vintage amber wine goblets, lead crystal glasses, lenox, pineapples, flowers, cutlery pouches, and candles in the potager garden on a green boho tablecloth

Send Physical Invitations If Possible

I realize it’s EASIER to use an app like Evite to send to guests electronically, but there’s just something about receiving that invitation in the mail.

Especially in today’s digital world, it will FEEL more special if you send a physical invitation instead of using Evite only.

And I know that’s not always practical or possible, but if you can and have the time, it will set the tone of the party.

Oh and you get extra points if you make DIY invitations for your Hawaiian party theme too!

close up of hawaiian party theme centerpiece idea for dining table with pineapples, fuschia pink roses, sunflowers, snapdragons, halved oranges, lemons, limes and votive candles on a light green boho tablecloth in the potager garden

Choose Hawaiian Party Theme Table Decor

Selecting luau party decorations may look different to each host.

From grass skirts to large green leaves, shells, bright pretty flowers, and pineapples, there are lots of options to decorate a table for a Hawaiian party theme.

Choose the decorations that speak to you.

With my garden style vibe and rustic glam approach to decorating, I’m skipping the grass skirt for a table that’s a bit more elegant with lots of bright, beautiful colors.

close up of pineapple centerpiece idea for the dining table for hawaiian dinner party theme with fuschia pink roses, candles oranges, limes, lemons and fuschia pink linen napkins

Make a Beautiful Centerpiece for the Dining Table

Every table needs a gorgeous centerpiece to dress it up.

Use what you have and create a centerpiece that will wow guests using greenery, flowers, and other organic seasonal elements.

Centerpieces can be super simple and basic with a vessel and some flowers.

Or you can be a bit more creative with a centerpiece design.

view of centerpiece for hawaiian party theme dinner table with lenox dinnerware, pink fuschia napkins pineapple tops, vintage amber wine goblets pink roses candles, lemons, limes, oranges on light green bohemian table cloth

Whatever you choose to work with, consider the things that remind you of Hawaii and decorate with those.

Since we don’t all live in Hawaii or similar climates, seek elements that are readily available to you but lend a tropical feel.

You can even load your houseplants out and around the dining area.

For my Hawaiian party theme, I made a beautiful centerpiece using pineapples as the vessel, cored, and filled with fresh flowers from the market, as well as my garden.

But the best part?

I was able to use the pineapple that I cored out for this dump cake pineapple recipe that is to die for!

And let me tell you how amazing it smells. Between the pineapple and the roses, I’m not sure which one is better but it smells incredible out here!

In addition to the pineapple centerpieces, I tucked in some beautiful snapdragons and helianthus ‘sunbelievable’ in mason jars to create more floral interest.

close up of centerpiece for hawaiian party theme dining table with pineapples, fuschia pink roses, candles, sunflowers, snapdragons, votives, taper candles, sliced oranges, limes, lemons on a light green bohemian table cloth in the potager garden

Include Organic Elements in the Table Decor Design

In addition to flowers and greenery, consider adding fresh fruits and vegetables to make the table feel more bountiful.

They brighten up the table while adding more texture, interest, and character.

And the best part?

You can use what you have on hand.

Open the refrigerator, harvest from the garden, or pull out some seasonal items.

And it doesn’t matter whether you use fresh or faux organic elements either.

Just be sure it looks real and authentic.

hawaiian party theme dinner table decorated with light green bohemian table cloth, fuschia pink napkins, lenox dinnerware, tapered candles, votives, pineapple centerpieces with fuschia pink roses, sunflowers, snapdragons, sliced fruit with an arbor covered in lonicera in the potager garden

Decorate the Luau Party Table with Cozy Layers

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, always decorate a table in layers.

Whether you use a tablecloth, table runner or lots of pretty dinner table accessories, layer it up!

For this tropical luau party tablescape idea, I started with this gorgeous lightweight green bohemian tablecloth with pretty white fringe detail.

Don’t you love it?

It adds just enough texture with a rustic glam vibe.

close up of table setting idea for hawaiian luau party theme with lenox dinnerware, cuterly pouches with ribbon, pineapple tops, fuschia pink linen napkins on light green boho tablecloth with lots of flowers including roses, sunflowers and snapdragons.

Add Beautiful Dinnerware

To make this table feel more elegant, I used my wedding Lenox, layering my dinner and salad plates with a gorgeous bright fuschia pink linen napkin in between.

If you have vintage dishes or beautiful hand-me downs, break them out!

Just because it’s a summer dinner party doesn’t mean you can’t use the good stuff.

Life’s too short…don’t keep your special dinnerware tucked away.

Use it!

close up of mason jar filled with helianthus 'sunbelievable', snapdragons and zinnias, with tapered candels, sliced oranges, lemons, limes and pear in potager garden with green garden fence in background

Table decor does not need to be matchy matchy either.

To create more visual interest, I used these vintage amber wine goblets with my grandmother’s crystal water glasses.

And finally, I organized my gold flatware in these adorable cutlery pouches with pretty ribbon.

hawaiian party theme dinner table with gold flatware in cutlery pouches, lenox dinnerware, fuschia linen napkins, pineapple tops, vintage amber wine goblet, crystal water goblet, with fresh flowers in pinapple centerpiece, sunflowers and snapdragons in mason jars on a light green bohemian tablecloth

Think Outside the Box

And to add a bit of whimsy, texture, and dimension to the table, I added pineapple tops.

Doesn’t that look so cool?

We aren’t planning to use the salad plates for a salad, so the pineapple tops are on the smaller plates to keep the juice off of the dinner plates.

view of the potager garden dining table that is decorated for a hawaiian party theme on a farmhouse table on an outdoor area rug with wicker chairs and white cushions

Add Mood Lighting

No table is complete without some cozy mood lighting.

Add lots of pretty tapered candles and votives to create a warm and cozy atmosphere at the dinner table.

And if you can add string lights, do it!

close up of votive candles lit for hawaiian party theme with pineapple centerpiece filled with fuschia pink roses surrounded by sunflowers, snapdragons, halved fruit including lemons, limes, oranges on a light green bohemian tablecloth

Play Luau Party Music, Get Up, and Dance!

OK so maybe not everyone will feel like dancing, but set the mood with some festive luau music.

Prepare to host a limbo with a large pole.

And if you want to do something really fun that might require a bit more preparation?

Hire a dance teacher to drop by and teach the hula!

How fun would that be?

close up of table setting idea for Hawaiian party theme with lenox dinnerware, pink fuschia linen napkin, pineapple top, vintage amber wine glass and flowers in background on a light green bohemian tablecloth

Thanks so much for dropping by my luau party!

I hope you found a lot of great inspiration from the celebration.

Next up in our Hawaiian party supper club is Michele from Vintage Home Designs.

I LOVE how she decorated her table this month!

Mahalo!

Hawaiian party theme dining table idea with pineapples, roses, lenox dinnerware, vintage amber wine glasses sunflowers, snapdragons, candles on light green boho tablecloth in the potager garden

More About Hawaiian Party Themes

Have you hosted a Hawaiian party theme before? If so, do you have any tips or tricks you want to share? I would love to know more in the comments below.

And don’t miss joining my Gardening DIY and Decorating Community on Facebook for more chatter. And follow along there and on Instagram as well. There are behind-the-scenes daily things that I share on Instagram that don’t make it to the blog. Would love to see you there too!

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Click here to chop for my favorite table decor with close up of fresh flower dining table centerpiece

More Hawaiian Luau Party Ideas

One of the best parts about our supper club is the different perspectives we all have on decorating a table for that particular theme.

And this Hawaiian party theme has some beautiful ones.

Wait until you see the different luau party inspiration!

Looking for More Supper Club Ideas?

Our supper club has been so much fun and we’ve covered so much over the last year.

Whether you are in a supper club or just want some dinner party theme inspiration, check out the themes we’ve hosted before.

And click here if you want to learn how to organize and host your own supper club. They are so fun to do and provide a great reason to gather regularly with family and friends.

Hawaiian theme party idea in the potager garden on a farmhouse table with wicker chairs, white cushions and vintage outdoor area rug, decorated with lots of pinapples, roses, sunflowers and snapdragons with dimly lit tapered candles and votive, lenox dinnerward, pink fuschia napkins and light green bohemian table cloth.

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close up of table setting idea for hawaiian party theme with lenox dinnerware, pineapple top, pink linen napkin, gold flatware and light green table cloth with flowers and halved fruit
Zen garden koi pond in full bloom with japanese snowbell tree, rhododendron, mountain laurel and elderberry with staddle stone and koi fish

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view of our 1850 farmhouse with front porch and beautiful flower gardens from the pool garden with green fence - has roses, bearded iris, buckeye tree, viburnum, and baptisia

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Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

Stacy Ling

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20 Comments

  1. Stacy,
    Your table is just fabulous! My favorite of all your great tablescapes. I loved the pineapple tops on the plates and of course the fruit and floral centerpiece.Great job.

    1. Thank you Rachel – This one is definitely my favorite too. I thought it was Easter but I think it’s this one! xoxo

  2. As always your floral arrangements are beautiful! And I love the pineapple tops on each plate. So cute and creative!

  3. This has to be my favorite table that you have done!! I just need a little Don Ho “Tiny Bubbles” playing in the background…

  4. Ok this one may just be my favorite tablescape you’ve done! Absolutely gorgeous from the colorful flowers to the pineapples to the leis over the back of each seat. And all the tips you shared were amazing! Pinned!!

  5. I adore your tablescape! The colors just make me happy.
    Thank you for letting me host with you this month! 🌺🏝🍽

  6. Wow, Stacy. Your centerpiece is absolutely STUNNING! I love every single detail from the flowers and citrus to the pineapple tops at each place setting. Your garden makes the perfect place to host a luau dinner party. Pinned!

  7. Wow! I absolutely love your Hawaiian themed tablescape, Stacy! Every single detail is so beautiful and the pineapple crowns are the perfect plate embellishments. This table suits my style perfectly – a little glam & a little rustic. The perfect rustic elegant table setting!

  8. Your luau tablescape is gorgeous Stacy! So bright and beautiful. I love what you do with your pineapples.

  9. Stacy, what a gorgeous table! I love the pineapple flower vases and all the colorful fruits (and napkins). I lived in Hawaii a very long time ago and so appreciate the culture, the people and the access to such delicious food. What a great theme for a dinner party and I will definitely steal some of your ideas. Thanks for sharing.