While Western weddings may last one day, Indian weddings can be two weeks long and include a variety of rites and rituals that are extremely important. Indian weddings are observed as festivities with a variety of customs, dances, music, and decorations. Indians consider marriage to be a sacred union of two souls that lasts a lifetime, and as such, they believe it deserves to be joyfully celebrated.

So this being said, one should expect a lot of people, different ceremonies with different outfits, loud music, food with lots of different spices, etc. 

Image Courtesy: Bruno Rezza

If it's your first time attending an Indian wedding, don’t worry you are at the right place. This article will guide you on everything that you need to know before attending an Indian wedding. First of all, don't worry. Try to enjoy the process because you'll be around kind and welcoming people. Indians are famed for their hospitality, and they'll do their best to make you feel at home. However, it's also your responsibility to participate completely in the wedding. Just follow the advice provided below, and you'll be prepared to surprise your friend at their wedding. 

All Indian weddings are different depending on where the families belong to. India has many different religions and cultures, but most of the prominent religions are Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islamic, and Christianity. All of them have different rituals and rites according to their religions. 

If you are attending an Indian wedding here are some etiquettes to follow:- 

• Attire at these weddings varies for different functions. To be precise there are 4-5 functions in Hindu Indian Weddings such as mehendi, sangeet, haldi, marriage, and reception. These all demand different outfits according to their importance. 
• Expect pure vegetarian food. Only vegetarian food is served at most Hindu weddings. But don't worry; they still taste fantastic and are flavorful without the meat. If you think the food might be spicy for you, make sure to have a glass of water with you. You will undoubtedly like it because it tastes fantastic without meat. 
• Encourage yourself to try something new while getting ready for the wedding festivities by pushing yourself to move outside of your comfort zone. Indian costumes come in a variety of styles, so you may find one that fits the occasion and highlights your unique personality. 
• Another thing to keep in mind is that the festivities at an Indian wedding might extend for hours, so be sure to dress comfortably and traditionally for the occasion. Due to the fact that most activities are religious, you should also ensure that you are completely covered and avoid flashing too much skin. 
• If you're going to a Hindu wedding, make sure you wear anything other than red because the bride generally wears red to weddings. You can wear any other color instead of red as we don’t want to outshine the bride. 
•  At Indian weddings, colors are significant. Black and white should never be worn since they are regarded as unlucky colors. You can wear a wide variety of colors, and since an Indian wedding is all about being colorful and extravagant, don't be afraid to wear vivid hues. 
• For religious Indian events, guests must try to respect the rituals, hence both men and women must cover their heads. For covering your head, you can carry a scarf or a large handkerchief. If a woman is dressed traditionally and has a dupatta, they can use it to cover their head.  
• Last but not least, don't forget to have fun. Engage in the events and ensure you make the entirety of every moment.

Different Functions of a Hindu Wedding and suggestion of wedding guest dresses accordingly.

Mehendi or Henna art 

One of the Indian wedding functions involves mehendi. The bride and groom participate in this by applying henna art on their hands, along with all the other female family members and friends. In order to maintain a positive atmosphere, music and dancing are played during this. You can even acquire the henna art on your hands if you want to. Once it has dried, you can wash it off. It needs some time to dry, It stays for two or three days. Heena is essentially just a temporary tattoo. 

This function is very lively and beautiful while attending this function you can wear the following traditional dresses from Mohifashion. 

Green Sharara for Mehendi

Haldi ceremony

Haldi means turmeric, in this function haldi is applied on both the bride and groom's body and face. This function is held because it has unique importance. In traditional Hindu texts (Ayurveda) Haldi is thought of as having skin brightening effects with healing properties. Hence it is applied on the bride and groom's face and body so that they could shine brightly on their wedding day.

Following are some beautiful traditional outfits you can wear while attending this function. 

Yellow Sharara for Haldi

Baraat 

 If you are a member of the groom's family or friend, you will be welcomed to participate in the special Baraat ritual. A group of guests from the groom's side known as the 'Baraatis' dance their way from the groom's home to the wedding location. The groom rides a horse to the ceremony location while seated. There are no rules to follow while dancing in the baraat; you can move and dance whatever you choose. Enjoy this time while you can because it's rare to have such an experience in the West. 

The D-day / Wedding Day

 Hindu weddings are usually performed in front of the fire which is called havan. The fire is thought to be very auspicious in Hindu scriptures hence most of such important Hindu events are held before the fire. The wedding may last for an hour until the pooja and all the rituals are held. You can experience this beautiful moment which is of course new to you. After that, you can take photos with the bride and husband and also give them gifts if you have purchased any. 

There are some gorgeous traditional attire that you can wear while attending the wedding. 

Reception / Afterparty 

After the wedding, there’s an after party held for all the guests. There is dancing, music, and some speech from the loved ones. You can wear any party dresses you wish to, but you can wear a sparkling party wear saree which is a blend of traditional and Western culture.

Attire and Jewellery

Jewellery is the most important aspect of any Indian attire. It enhances the overall look of the outfit. So make sure you wear good matching jewellery with the attire. The jewellery and accessories which are traditionally worn with Indian outfits are necklaces, bangles, and earrings, you can also apply a bindi (sticker on the forehead) which is adorned by many Indian women.

For men and women, there is a wide range of traditional outfits to choose from. Here are some suggestions if you are worried about what to wear as a guest at a wedding:- 

1. Lehenga for wedding - A long skirt is worn with a blouse and a dupatta. Lehenga is the most commonly worn outfit at almost every Indian wedding.
2. Saree - Another beautiful attire is the saree. Indian saree is an unstitched garment that needs to be appropriately draped. You can buy a ready-to-wear saree that is comfortable and easy to handle. 
3. Anarkali suit- A long wedding gown usually comes with a dupatta. This outfit is one of the simplest and easy to handle. You can wear an anarkali if nothing above is comfortable for you. 
4. Kurta and pajamas (men) - Long kurta and airy pajamas are the most comfortable choice. Men can wear this outfit while attending an Indian wedding. 

Other such dresses are sharara suit, lehenga choli, salwars and many more.  

Significance of Different Colours in Indian Weddings. 

The Southern Part of India and the Northern part of India have very different cultures and traditions, and the way weddings are performed differs a lot. When it comes to the significance of colours they differ as well. At Northern Indian Wedding the bride usually wears red colour and the people attending the wedding wear different colour except white and black. Because according to the northern culture white and black represent sorrow and grief. But when it comes to Southern Indian Weddings bride usually wears white sarees, which according to their culture means purity. While attending any Hindu Indian wedding make sure you avoid the following three colours which are Red, White, and Black. Other than these colours any different colour can be worn.

Finally, be sure to participate in all the activities like a local and mingle with the populace; only then will you be able to have fun. By following the etiquettes listed above, you can embrace their cultural norms. Don't worry about their reaction; they'd love to see you dressed appropriately, and they'll make sure you're at ease. Ask any local aunties or older women to tie a saree or a dupatta if you ever need assistance with your clothing, and they will be happy to assist you. To enjoy the wedding, make sure that whatever you wear is traditional, acceptable, and most importantly, comfortable for you.