June
19
When it comes to attending an Indian wedding, one might wonder, “What to wear to an Indian wedding?” These grand celebrations are a treat to be a part of if you’re fortunate enough to receive an invitation. Indian weddings are known for their extended festivities and a significantly larger number of guests compared to Western weddings. It’s an opportunity to experience the rich traditions, lavishness, and celebration of love that define an Indian wedding.
As a guest at an Indian wedding or a multicultural fusion event, choosing the right attire holds importance, but it doesn’t have to be a source of stress. Embrace the chance to immerse yourself in the local culture for a day. The key is to find a balance between tradition and personal style.
If you have received an Indian wedding invitation and are not sure what to wear, let us help you.
Indian weddings are usually a two or three-day celebration. The wedding ceremony is only one part. Indian friends and family will at least observe the religious rituals of their Sikhs, Hindus, or Muslim ancestors.
Traditional Indian clothing is a great choice to wear at an Indian wedding. This is usually done with a saree – a colorful, elaborately draped garment worn by Indian women from their shoulders down to their ankles. It is common to cover the head with extra fabric during religious ceremonies.
Men at weddings usually wear tunics that have long sleeves and slacks.
Both sexes can choose from a wide range of clothing in vibrant, saturated colors, prints, patterns, and designs. If you live in an area where there is a large Indian-American population, it’s likely that a local Indian bazaar (or Pakistani or Nepalese market) will also sell clothing.
Wear bold colors, whether you want to go for a traditional Indian look or a Western one. Avoid certain colors at all costs. Black and white are two colors that are associated with funerals within Indian culture. Red is also reserved for brides. It’s best to avoid it if you are a woman.
In the West, white is often associated with innocence and a new beginning. However, in South Asia, it is usually associated with death. It’s also inappropriate to wear the color white at a wedding. In Hindu rituals, black is considered unlucky. Visitors are free to wear any color in the rainbow.
If it is a Sikh wedding or a Hindu wedding, both men and women should bring a covering for their heads. Women wearing sarees can use any cloth that they have in their possession if they don’t own a scarf. Men who wish to cover their heads during the ceremony should bring handkerchiefs. Prepare to take off your shoes when entering a religious place if the ceremony is taking place there.
If you don’t want to wear Indian clothing, ensure that your Western clothes cover the same amount as the traditional Indian wedding dress (shoulders and legs, sometimes even all the arms). For an Indian wedding, clothing that shows too much skin or is not modest, or clings tightly to the body, is inappropriate. Men should wear long pants and shirts.
The type of ceremony can indicate the degree of formality in the dress code. Both women and men should cover their heads when attending a Sikh event. A traditional Hindu event allows women to wear a saree or even a pantsuit. The reception will usually be a bit more relaxed because you are in a celebratory mood. Guests should feel at ease because of the relaxed environment.
Attending an Indian wedding means you will be expected to drink and eat a lot. Avoid wearing anything too tight if you want to enjoy the wedding celebrations.
If you are traveling with the groom, this is a must. You’ll have to dance at the Baraat as the groom’s family and friends will be dancing a procession from the bride’s to the groom’s. Sikh wedding guests sit cross-legged in the middle of the floor. Wear comfortable clothes that don’t restrict movement or reveal too much skin.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes if this is your first Indian marriage. You may be surprised at the length of the ceremony. You may wish to wear something less flashy during the ceremony, as guests often change into more formal attire for the reception.
Indian weddings are full of beautiful jewelry and accessories. Accessorize with bangles and necklaces to blend in.
Last but not least, you can finish off the look by adding a complementary accessory. Bracelets are a great way to accessorize your outfit. Visitors are advised to choose jewelry that can be worn in a variety of different outfits. This will allow them to get more use out of the item.
Even if you are not wearing traditional Indian clothes, it is appropriate to wear your best jewelry and body ornaments at an Indian wedding. As a way to express themselves, women may wear bindis, and elaborate stickers on their foreheads.
Accessorize extravagantly with gold bangles and headpieces. You can also use vibrant purses and jewelry.
Local boutiques offer the best shopping experience for bridal gowns. The Internet, on the other hand, is a good place to find inspiration.
Visitors are advised to visit several boutiques in the area to try on clothes before making a final purchase. In any city, you can find Indian accessories, clothing, and jewelry in the “Little India section”. You can also find a wide variety of online stores.
It is not acceptable to wear skin tight clothing or expose your body. Indian weddings are grand, so guests are expected to dress up to the nines. In many Indian traditions, certain colors are considered unlucky and therefore forbidden to wear. We explain what inappropriate clothing is for an Indian wedding in the sections below.
Hindu tradition says that certain colors are to be avoided for important occasions like weddings. The best part of all is that there’s no national standard on which colors are prohibited.
In certain parts of India, particularly the north, white is associated with death and sorrow. If you’re sure that the wedding will follow the above traditions, then you can wear a white outfit. In case you’re not prepared, stay away from white. If you’re looking to emphasize your preference for muted colors on your wedding day, off-white or beige with gold accents is the perfect choice.
Black is frowned upon as well for the same reasons. Avoid wearing black if you don’t want to appear boring. This is true even if you love the color for its sensual appeal. You will also be noticed in a crowd of people who are wearing vibrant, cheery colors. Avoid black, as the goal is to blend into the crowd and still stand out.
We can only think of black and white as inappropriate colors, given the cultural significance of certain shades in Indian weddings.
Red is also a color to avoid, although not as much. It’s likely that red will be a prominent color on the wedding day. It’s important to let her shine on her wedding day. When choosing your wedding outfit, we recommend going with a new color.
Wear something that you feel comfortable in, and can dance or eat comfortably. This is a hallmark of Indian traditional marriages.
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