Wedding Guide

Wedding Guide

What to Wear to Indian Weddings: Your ultimate Guide to Wedding Outfits

 If you have received an invitation to an Indian wedding or a multi-cultural desi wedding and are wondering what to wear as a guest then you have come to the right place.

As a guest deciding an outfit need not be stressful. Keep scrolling to find out what the significance of each function in an Indian wedding is and what you can wear at each of the traditional functions.

While picking an outfit for yourself you should keep in mind certain things such as the colors that can be worn. As it's an Indian wedding you can wear bright festive colors which would go on most occasions. You can wear pastel shades in the morning and jewel, darker tones in the evening. Most colors can be worn but colors like black must be avoided as it is considered inauspicious in certain customs.

Before you start shopping for an Indian wedding you must familiarize yourself with the terminologies of different outfits.

 Lehenga - This is the most popular one. A lehenga or lehenga choli is a two-piece outfit with a skirt, top, and dupatta. You can wear this to functions like the sangeet and the wedding. The skirt is usually heavy with stunning designs and embroidery made by local artisans.

 Saree - We are sure you have heard of this one. A saree is a 6-9 meter-long piece of cloth that is draped around the body. It is worn with a blouse on top. Sarees look great but draping these can be a challenge. But, you also have options of semi-stitched sarees which can be worn directly without the whole process of draping. You can wear a saree for the reception for a glam look!

 Punjabi suit/salwar kameez/anarkali dress - This is a three piece outfit that consists of a pant at the bottom, a long or short top over it, and a dupatta that can be worn on the shoulders or over the head. This is a comfortable option if you don’t want to go overboard.

 Traditional Indian weddings can be broken down into different categories based on the regions where the bride and/or groom are from. While you may wear a Punjabi suit to a Punjabi wedding, you can wear a saree to a south Indian wedding and a lehenga to a Gujrati wedding.

 You should look out for the dress code which is usually mentioned on the wedding card or e-invite and you can pick your outfits accordingly. While it's not compulsory to dress up in traditional Indian outfits, it's a good immersive experience if you do so. You can always wear cocktail gowns or pantsuits for some of the functions as you would in a white wedding if heavy Indian outfits are not your style.

 Non-Indian guests are always encouraged to take part in Indian culture and traditions. Indians love to see guests take part in the functions and dress up in traditional Indian outfits. Older women would be happy to fix your saree, drape it or fix your blouse so make sure you enjoy the process. Make sure you are comfortable while you enjoy the food and the dance in your traditional Indian attire.

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