Indian weddings are the most magical, beautiful and special celebrations.
As a guest, you’ll be attending an array of events across several days and each one will have a different defined dress code.
To help with your outfit planning, we’ve pulled together a guide including an outline of each of the ceremonies, the colours to wear and avoid, how to mix and match Indian and Western fashions respectfully, and tips on whether to hire or buy.
What events will there be and what should I wear to each?
Typical events for an Indian wedding include:
The Cocktail Night: The wedding celebrations will begin with a cocktail evening. This provides a way for the couple to enjoy a glitzy, fun and relaxed evening with their family and friends before the more serious religious ceremonies begin. This is normally a black-tie event. So get out your suits boys, and a gown for the girls.
Mehendi: This ceremony is where the bride, her family and guests will have their henna (Mehendi) applied. As the event is usually held during the day, bright colours are encouraged. Guests should dress in Indian outfits and sometimes there will be a green dress code as this is the colour of Mehendi. Just be careful not to get henna stains on your outfit! The Mehendi is normally a chance to have fun with prints and colours.
Sangeet: The Sangeet is traditionally held at night and involves a dance-off, with performances from the bride and groom’s sides. They are SO MUCH FUN! Female guests should wear sparkly Indian outfits, or perhaps a sparkly gown, while men should wear a black or navy Bandhgala jacket and formal trousers with a pocket square or three-piece suit. Jewel tones and metallics work well. Since the Sangeet is all about dancing, make sure your outfit is easy to move around in.
Haldi: The Haldi ceremony is a very emotional, beautiful ceremony, especially for the couple’s families. This is a purifying ceremony for the bride and groom and is normally held during the day. The couple and their families will often ask guests to wear yellow and orange, as “haldi” translates to “turmeric” in Hindi.
Phere: The Phere is a religious ceremony where the couple take their wedding vows and are married by a priest. Traditionally, the bride will wear red. So, under no circumstances should any guest (male or female) wear red. Stick to pastels. Women should dress in Indian outfits, a saree (a stretch of fabric arranged over the body as a robe, with one end attached to the waist, while the other end rests over one shoulder as a stole) or lehenga (an ankle-length skirt). Men should wear suits and will be given a Safa (a hat made out of a long scarf).
What are some of the different Indian wedding items?
Females:
Lehenga – a 3-piece set consisting of a scarf, a crop top, and a long, A-line skirt (Lehenga). This is a popular option since it’s much easier to wear than a saree.
Saree– a 2 piece set consisting of a blouse (crop top), and a piece of long fabric to be folded into the bottoms and draped over shoulders and arms. Get this pre-stitched or pre-draped to avoid a whole lot of pins!
Salwar Kameez – a 2 piece set consisting of a long top (Kurti) and a loose pair of pants.
Males:
· Bandhgala – a formal evening suit consisting of a coat and trousers and sometimes a vest.
· Kurta and pyjamas – these are the most comfortable choice and are nice and airy!
What colours should you wear?
As mentioned, there may be colour dress codes set for the events. Safe options are shades of green for Mehendi and yellows and oranges for Haldi.
Gold is a win and is super authentic, so consider this for your jewellery and bags.
Avoid wearing white (mourning), black (inauspicious) and red (bridal) at all religious events. Maybe just rule them out for the whole week!
Can you mix Western and Indian Items?
Yes, you can do this respectfully by ensuring all Western items and outfits are modest.
Consider wearing an Indian scarf with a long gown, or the top of an Indian outfit with pants or a skirt. Or pair Indian outfits with Western accessories such as a modern handbag with a sari.
Have fun and mix and match between cultures. Just remember to keep it classy and keep colour in mind at all times! It’s also very important to ensure you are comfortable in what you are wearing.
Can you rent items?
Yes, you can, and we recommend that you do. You may only wear some of the outfits once, and there are several events to plan for, so definitely consider renting your outfits.
In doing so, you can hire high-end designer Indian outfits for an affordable price, so you will feel like a star while being conscious of your environmental footprint and keeping the budget down.
Can I go too bright and bold?
No! You can never be too overdressed at an Indian wedding.
Indian Weddings are often larger than life, so jump right in and take this opportunity to express yourself in your own way, while respecting the culture and traditions.
