Unsure of what to wear? We’ve got you covered! We’ve developed a Wedding Wardrobe Planner to convey information to our guests about the various types of Indian wedding attire.

This style guide can help keep our guests informed about the dress code for each of the wedding functions. From colour to style, the wardrobe planner conveys the necessary information to our guests and can help them plan their outfits easily.

Before shopping, guests are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Indian fashion terminology. Lehengas and sarees are the most common options for women. A lehenga is a two-piece outfit that includes a top (usually cropped) with a full, high-waisted skirt. A saree is a long piece of fabric, often made of silk, that's used to wrap around the body. Sherwanis, which are long coat-like tops, and kurtas, which are loose collarless shirts (or tunics), are typical Indian attire for men.

Guests are invited to be themselves. If you are not comfortable wearing traditional Indian clothes, any cocktail dress or ensemble that you would wear to a Western wedding is suitable. Given the unique opportunity, however, to experience culture in its richest form, guests should consider wearing traditional Indian wedding attire if they feel comfortable. Guests are also encouraged to take part in cultural traditions. The Indian community absolutely loves when non-Indian guests embrace the culture and wear Indian clothes. Older women will be over the moon to help you tie a sari or fix your blouse. No matter what you choose to wear, make sure you enjoy the food and dance the night away!

Haldi Ceremony.

For the haldi ceremony, practicality should be kept in mind when settling on attire. The dress code is informal and comfortable as this pre-wedding ritual is all about joy, fun, and simplicity. The color theme is yellow (or shades of yellow) or light colours as it symbolizes turmeric, which is the central element of the ceremony.

Guests should opt for clothing made from comfortable and lightweight fabrics like cotton, chiffon, or georgette that allow for ease of movement because there is a good possibility of staining the outfit with haldi (turmeric). Suggestions for clothing include salwar suits, elegant skirt sets, sharara sets, or kaftan pant sets for women and kurtas for men. For footwear, comfortable juttis or sandals are a practical choice as they allow one to dance and participate in the festivities with ease.

Haldi outfit suggestions for women:

  • Kurta Set

  • Kaftan

  • Dress

  • Gharara Set

  • Jumpsuit

  • Sharara Set

Haldi outfit suggestions for men:

  • Kurta Set

  • Pathani Suit

  • Shirt and Trousers

Mehendi Ceremony.

The Mehendi ceremony is a festive event where henna tattoos are applied to the bride's hands and feet. The Mehendi ceremony calls for more playful and colorful pieces. Vibrant colors like orange, pink, teal and yellow are great for mehendi ceremony attire. Avoid wearing ripped jeans or casual attire, as the Mehendi ceremony is usually a celebratory affair where guests dress up.

Short sleeves will make it easier for the mehendi artist to apply your design, but the only real fashion guideline for a mehendi party is to leave your earth-toned neutrals at home. For the mehendi ceremony, traditional South Asian attire is typically worn. The most common attire for women are lehengas. Other mehendi attire include sharara sets, palazzo sets, dhoti sarees, and Indo-Western fusion jumpsuits. Men tend to wear kurtas, nehru jacket sets, Indo-Western fusion outfits, and jacket sets.

Mehendi outfit suggestions for women:

  • Lehenga

  • Sharara Set

  • Pre-Draped or Ruffled Saree

  • Pre-Draped Skirt and Cape Set

  • Indo-Western Fusion Jumpsuit

  • Dupatta and Palazzo Set

  • Dhoti Saree

  • Indo-Western Fusion Dress

Mehendi outfit suggestions for men:

  • Kurta Set

  • Nehru Jacket Set

  • Kurta and Jacket Set

  • Indo-Western Fusion Blazer Set

  • Jacket Set

Wedding Ceremony.

For the wedding ceremony, we recommend wearing traditional Indian wear. Sarees and salwar suits are the most common festive ensembles. Sarees can be daunting if you’ve never worn one before but no need to worry - we will have saree drapers on hand for guests and in case that doesn’t work, Aishwarya’s relatives will be happy to help guests drape their sarees.

Wedding outfit suggestions for women:

  • Saree

  • Salwar Suit

  • Anarkali

Wedding outfit suggestions for men:

  • Sherwani

  • Waistcoat with Kurta Set

  • Sherwani Set

  • Kurta Set

  • Nehru Jacket Set

  • Kurta

Reception & Sangeet.

Indian wedding receptions are known for their vibrant colors and elaborate themes that add a touch of opulence and grandeur to the celebration. For our wedding, we are combining our reception and sangeet. The Sangeet is typically a pre-wedding ceremony that involves singing and dancing with the couple and their close family members and friends to celebrate the onset of their new journey together.

The sangeet is a dance-centric event that allows for formal occasionwear (jewel tones and metallics are never amiss). Guests are encouraged to wear attire (either Western or Indian) that are elegant yet not overly formal. Women can wear Western attire, such as a formal gown or cocktail dress, or Indian attire, such as embellished lehengas, anarkalis, or sarees. Women can also wear Indo-Western fusion outfits such as, jacket-style sarees or gowns with Indian motifs. Men may wear Western formal attire, such as tuxedos, tailored suits or blazers with dress pants, or Indian attire, such as sherwanis, bandhgalas, or Jodhpuri suits. Men can also opt for Indo-Western fusion wear, such as kurta suits with a twist, adding unique elements like colored blazers or asymmetrical cuts. Just remember to wear clothing that you can dance in!

Reception/Sangeet outfit suggestions for women:

  • Western Attire: Evening Gown or Cocktail Dress

  • Indian Attire: Lehenga

  • Indian Attire: Saree

Reception/Sangeet outfit suggestions for men:

  • Western Attire: Suit or Tuxedo

  • Indian Attire: Sherwani

  • Indo-Western Fusion Sherwani