Indian weddings are vibrant, cultural spectacles filled with rich traditions, colorful attire, and joyous celebrations. For foreigners, attending an Indian wedding is an exciting opportunity to embrace these traditions through stunning ethnic wear. Here's a guide to help you choose the perfect outfit for every event while blending in and standing out in style.
Understanding Indian Wedding Attire
Indian weddings are not just a one-day event but a series of ceremonies, each with its own dress code. Pre-wedding events like Mehndi and Haldi are typically casual and festive, where light and colorful outfits such as kurtis, anarkalis, or pastel lehengas for women, and cotton kurtas or Indo-western attire for men, work well. The Sangeet night is all about dance and celebration, so dazzling lehengas, sarees, and embroidered kurtas or sherwanis are ideal. The wedding ceremony itself is the grandest event, requiring formal ethnic attire such as ornate sarees or lehengas for women and sherwanis or bandhgalas for men.
Fabrics and Colors to Consider
When choosing fabrics, lightweight and breathable materials like silk, chiffon, or georgette are ideal for comfort during long celebrations. Indian weddings are about vibrant colors, so women can go for rich tones like red, gold, green, or royal blue, while men can choose cream, maroon, or navy. Black and white are typically avoided as they are traditionally associated with mourning.
Accessorizing the Look
No Indian wedding outfit is complete without the right accessories. Women should opt for statement necklaces, chandelier earrings, and bangles, adding a maang tikka or passa for extra elegance. A clutch or potli bag is also a must-have. For men, pairing a sherwani with a matching turban or stole is essential, and traditional footwear like mojris or juttis will complement the outfit. Adding a brooch or pocket square can provide a royal touch.
Where to Shop for Indian Wedding Attire
If you're unsure where to buy your outfit, you can explore local boutiques or shop online at stores like Utsav Fashion, Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop, or Myntra. For one-time wear, rental services like Flyrobe or Stage3 offer a great selection of wedding attire.
Cultural Sensitivity and Etiquette
It's important to respect the traditions of the wedding by avoiding overly revealing outfits. Always confirm the dress code with the host to ensure you're appropriately dressed. Be mindful of customs, such as removing shoes before entering certain areas, to ensure you're showing respect for the culture.
Footwear Tips
Comfortable footwear is key, as Indian weddings often involve long hours of standing or dancing. Women can go for embellished flats, wedges, or juttis, while men can choose traditional mojris or loafers. Comfortable footwear is key, as Indian weddings often involve long hours of standing or dancing. Women can go for embellished flats, wedges, or juttis, while men can choose traditional mojris or loafers.
Accessorizing the Look
No Indian wedding outfit is complete without the right accessories. Women should opt for statement necklaces, chandelier earrings, and bangles, adding a maang tikka or passa for extra elegance. A clutch or potli bag is also a must-have. For men, pairing a sherwani with a matching turban or stole is essential, and traditional footwear like mojris or juttis will complement the outfit. Adding a brooch or pocket square can provide a royal touch.
