• 44 things to wear

What Should I Wear to an Indian Wedding

Bright, festive and modest, with a new outfit for each day: what to wear, part by part.

What Should I Wear to an Indian Wedding

  1. Kurta with churidar trousersA loose, collarless tunic over close-fitting trousers. Kurtas come first for men in one planning guide.
  2. SherwaniA long coat, buttoned down the front, that falls below the knee. In the north the groom often wears one.
  3. Jodhpuri suitA formal suit of coat and trousers with a closed neck. Its other name is bandhgala.
  4. Nehru jacket over a kurtaA hip-length tailored coat with a mandarin collar. It dresses up a plain kurta.
  5. SariA draped length of cloth with one end over the shoulder. First on one planning guide’s list for women.
  6. Lehenga with a blouse and dupattaAn ankle-length skirt, often embroidered for weddings. The scarf makes it three pieces.
  7. Salwar kameezTrousers and a tunic. Ceremonies can run long, and a planning guide says to dress for comfort.
  8. Anarkali suitA long, flowing, frock-style top over slim trousers, worn to weddings and festivals.
  9. Shawl or dupatta for your headSome ceremonies ask men and women to cover their heads. A planning guide says to keep one handy.
  10. A more modest outfit, at a templeA temple ceremony warrants more modest dress than one in a banquet hall, a planning guide says.

Next step

All 44 things to wear

For the ceremony 10

  • A more modest outfit, at a temple A temple ceremony warrants more modest dress than one in a banquet hall, a planning guide says.
  • Anarkali suit A long, flowing, frock-style top over slim trousers, worn to weddings and festivals.
  • Jodhpuri suit A formal suit of coat and trousers with a closed neck. Its other name is bandhgala.
  • Kurta with churidar trousers A loose, collarless tunic over close-fitting trousers. Kurtas come first for men in one planning guide.
  • Lehenga with a blouse and dupatta An ankle-length skirt, often embroidered for weddings. The scarf makes it three pieces.
  • Nehru jacket over a kurta A hip-length tailored coat with a mandarin collar. It dresses up a plain kurta.
  • Salwar kameez Trousers and a tunic. Ceremonies can run long, and a planning guide says to dress for comfort.
  • Sari A draped length of cloth with one end over the shoulder. First on one planning guide’s list for women.
  • Shawl or dupatta for your head Some ceremonies ask men and women to cover their heads. A planning guide says to keep one handy.
  • Sherwani A long coat, buttoned down the front, that falls below the knee. In the north the groom often wears one.

For the mehndi and sangeet 8

  • A different outfit from the wedding day The events fill several days, and each one calls for a fresh outfit.
  • Bangles that slide off Henna goes on the hands and wrists. Take rigid bracelets off before your turn.
  • Bright lehenga you can dance in For the sangeet. The word is a Sanskrit term for music.
  • Flat shoes for dancing A mehndi night usually comes with traditional food, music and dancing.
  • For a bride: sleeves above the elbow, hem above the ankle A bride’s henna covers hands, forearms, feet and lower legs, in many communities to above the elbow.
  • Light kurta or tunic Easy to sit in while the paste dries, then to dance in.
  • Outfit you would not mind staining Henna paste stains: pale orange at first, then reddish brown over the next one to three days.
  • Short or three-quarter sleeves Guests have henna put on their hands and forearms too. Sleeves that push up stay clean.

For the reception 5

  • Formal gown or evening dress The same guide lets you wear what a wedding in your own culture would call for.
  • Indo-Western outfit Fusion dress is acceptable, the guide says, but done badly it can look like mockery. Ask for advice.
  • Sari or lehenga with some sparkle One planning guide welcomes sparkle and glitter, at an Indian wedding above all.
  • Suit and tie Suits are fair game for men, the guide says. A bright tie joins the color in the room.
  • Your most festive outfit There is possibly no way to be overdressed, the guide says, unless the couple want it simple.

If you do not own Indian dress 4

  • Dress pants and a collared shirt A planning guide counts smart casual among the choices. Keep it for a daytime function.
  • Indian outfit found with the couple’s help A planning guide suggests asking the bridal party where to get one.
  • Long dress with sleeves or a wrap When in doubt, a planning guide says, lean conservative rather than modern.
  • Something easy to sit, stand, eat and dance in The guide’s test for every outfit, since the events can fill whole days.

Colors 4

  • A color the couple has not ruled out Ask whether any color or pattern is not advised, as a planning guide suggests.
  • Bright colors Bright, happy, festive shades are all welcome, a planning guide says.
  • Gold and metallic shades They sit well beside the gold jewelry that many guests wear.
  • Jewel tones: emerald, royal blue, magenta The guide counts any color that adds to the mix in the room as a good pick.

Shoes and jewelry 7

  • A watch or a ring, for men In some cases male guests wear jewelry too, a planning guide says.
  • Bangles Rigid bracelets of metal, glass or wood. Glass ones are a common sight on brides.
  • Gold jewelry Many guests wear gold, Wikipedia’s article on Indian wedding clothes notes.
  • Juttis Leather shoes common in the Punjab region, traditionally covered in embroidery.
  • Kolhapuri sandals Hand-crafted leather sandals made to slip on with no fastening.
  • Shoes that slip off easily Religious venues will ask you to take your shoes off before you go in, a planning guide notes.
  • Small bag you can keep on you Some ceremonies seat men and women apart, so keep your belongings with you.

Leave at home 6

  • No all-black outfit The same guide says black is sometimes associated with bad luck. Ask the family.
  • No all-white outfit A planning guide notes that white is associated with funerals.
  • No costume take on Indian dress Fusion that is not done well can come off as appropriation, a planning guide warns.
  • No head-to-toe red before you ask the couple Red is considered the most auspicious color for a Hindu bride, so she may be wearing it.
  • No revealing outfit at a religious venue Showing a lot of skin is frowned upon at traditional events, a planning guide says.
  • No shoes that take minutes to unlace You may take them off and put them on more than once in a day.

How it works

What should I wear to an Indian wedding? Something bright and festive, a little modest for the ceremony, and not white or black. These 44 things cover the ceremony, the mehndi and sangeet, the reception and the shoes.

Read the full guide

More than one outfit

Wikipedia’s article on Indian wedding clothes notes that Hindu weddings continue for several days, with functions such as the sangeet, the haldi and the wedding itself, and that new attire is worn each day. Check the invitation for which events you are asked to, and where: one wedding planning guide says a temple ceremony warrants more modest dress than a banquet hall.

  • Ask someone in the wedding party what they are wearing to each event. It is the quickest way to pitch your own outfit.

Questions and answers

What should I wear on my mehndi ceremony?

If the henna is for you, leave your forearms and lower legs clear: a bride’s designs cover hands, forearms, feet and ankles, in many communities to above the elbow. Pick short sleeves, a hem you can lift and clothes you can sit in.

What should a guest wear to a mehndi or sangeet?

Something bright and easy to move in, with sleeves that push up. Guests often have henna put on their hands and forearms, and the evening usually brings traditional food, music and dancing.

Should I wear a sari to an Indian wedding?

You can. One wedding planning guide says saris, lehengas and salwars would all be perfect for the occasion, and suggests asking the bridal party where to find one. A formal dress or suit of your own is also fine.

What colors should I not wear to an Indian wedding?

White and black, according to one wedding planning guide: white is associated with funerals and black sometimes with bad luck. Ask before you wear red from head to toe: it is the color held most auspicious for a Hindu bride.

What should a man wear to an Indian wedding?

A kurta with churidar trousers, a sherwani or a Jodhpuri suit. A Western suit is also fair game, one planning guide says. Wear shoes that slip off, and carry a cloth to cover your head if the ceremony asks for it.

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