Here's What You Need to Know About Indian Wedding Guest Attire

Indian weddings are known for their extravagance, whether we're talking the decor, the traditions and rituals or even the outfits. As a guest, you'll be immersed in the culture for a whole day (or even three), so you'll likely want to dress the part in appropriate Indian wedding guest attire. Given the important role that attire plays in the celebration, choosing your Indian wedding attire, whether traditional or modern, might seem like a daunting task. That's where we come in.

If you're not quite sure what to wear as a wedding guest to an Indian wedding, you've come to the right place. We've gathered the top tips from industry professionals, along with shoppable outfit inspiration for every event. Keep scrolling to learn more about the meaning behind traditional Indian wedding outfits, then browse our favorite products that you can purchase or rent right on the spot.

In this article:

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• What to Wear to an Indian Wedding
• Indian Wedding Guest Attire 101
• Where to Shop for an Indian Wedding Outfit as a Guest
• Indian Wedding Attire for Women
• Men's Indian Wedding Attire

Photo: Ashley Cox Photography

What to Wear to an Indian Wedding

Typically, traditional Indian weddings last for three days, or more. There are more celebrations in store, like the sangeet, where the bride and groom are joined by their loved ones for an evening dancing and celebrating, as well as the mehndi ceremony, where the bride receives henna tattoos on her hands and feet. Some couples also participate in a haldi ceremony before the wedding. And all those events are just the preamble to the main event: the ceremony and reception. In short, you can look forward to a great excuse to source multiple outfits for the many events to come.

"For prewedding events, opt for light-weight traditional outfits because there is a good possibility of staining the outfit with haldi (turmeric) or henna," says Rumela Sen, lead editor of Wedding Wire India. "Men could pick kurtas and women could choose from salwar suits, elegant skirt sets, sharara sets, or kaftan pant sets." The dress code for the day of the wedding ceremony will vary for each celebration. The couple may have specific attire requests for this day, so pay close attention to your wedding invite. For postwedding events, however, Sen recommends sticking to a formal dress code. "Women can opt for cape and skirt sets, pre-draped sharara sarees, embroidered saree gowns, fish cut lehengas or sequinned sarees to stand out," she says.

Of course, with the popularity of fusion weddings, many couples are putting their personal spin on tradition. Indian weddings may include all of these rituals, or just certain aspects. But in general, guests should dress formally for each ceremony they're invited to. "You will notice as the parties progress throughout the week, they become progressively more and more elaborate," says Shawna Gohel, editor-in-chief of Maharani Weddings. "You will want your outfits to follow the same suit, saving your most formal ensemble for the reception."

The final step is to add an accessory (or two). "Accessorizing is always key, especially with bracelets," Patel says. "We love to wear bracelets to match every outfit that we have. With Indian wedding jewelry, I always advise guests to get a piece that they can wear with other outfits too so you're utilizing it a few times throughout the year."

Ultimately, Gohel reiterates that guests are encouraged to take part in cultural traditions. "The Indian community absolutely loves when non-Indian guests embrace the culture and wear Indian clothes," she says. "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 can enjoy the food and dance the night away. This is what Indian weddings are known for."

Photo: Ashley Cox Photography

Indian Wedding Guest Attire 101

If it's your first time attending a traditional Indian wedding, you might still have some questions about what to wear. Keep scrolling for more helpful advice and answers to all your FAQs.

Indian Wedding Clothing Terms to Know

If you're just starting your search for Indian wedding guest attire, there are some terms you'll want to know. Below, you can read up on a few of the most popular styles of Indian wedding guest clothes to ensure a seamless shopping experience.

• Lehenga: A lehenga is a three-piece ensemble for women that consists of a blouse, a skirt and a dupatta (which is similar to a scarf or shawl). It is typically worn for special occasions, like weddings or holidays.
• Saree: A saree (also spelled sari) is a garment for women that is made from a single unstitched piece of fabric, which drapes around the entire body. It can be worn a number of different ways based on the wearer's preference.
• Punjabi Suit: A Punjabi suit, also known as a Salwar Kameez, is similar to a kurta pajama set, however, it is designed specifically for women. It consists of three pieces: A tunic, trousers and a dupatta.
• Kurta Pajama Set: A kurta pajama (or pyjama) set (often just referred to as a kurta) is a loose-fitting tunic top that is paired with matching trousers. It is considered to be gender neutral and can be worn by anyone.
• Sherwani: A sherwani is a piece of ceremonial attire for men. It is a long button-down coat that often features some form of embroidery or embellishment as decoration.
• Bandhgala Suit: A bandhgala suit, also called a jodhpuri, is a formal ensemble for men that is typically worn for special occasions. It is similar to a Western suit, aside from the fact that it does not feature a pleated collar.

Indian Wedding Colors to Wear vs. Avoid

When picking out your Indian wedding guest attire, color is an important factor to keep in mind. "The most essential part of the dress code for an Indian wedding is to wear color," says Gohel. "Bright, festive color is always in style for an Indian wedding no matter what the season or venue. We like to stick to pastels during the daytime and jewel tones at night," she says.

Given the celebratory nature of Indian weddings, bright hues are encouraged—though some are traditionally off-limits. "Guests should try to avoid wearing red, since the bride typically wears red," explains Patel. According to Sen, black is also traditionally off-limits, as, "various cultures in India consider it to be an inauspicious color."

Is Traditional Wedding Attire Required for Guests?

Depending on the event you're attending, traditional Indian wedding attire may not be required. Guests should always defer to the couple's wedding website or invitation for cues about what to wear. In many cases, Western attire is appropriate, especially if it features bright, festive colors. "Guests are invited to be themselves–there is no expectation for you to wear Indian clothes to an Indian wedding," says Gohel. "If you are not comfortable wearing traditional Indian clothes, any cocktail dress or ensemble that you would wear to a Western wedding is suitable." However, given the unique opportunity to experience culture in its richest form, guests may consider wearing traditional Indian wedding clothing if they feel comfortable.

Indian Wedding Attire by Region

According to Ren, guests should always research the regional differences of Indian wedding attire before deciding on an outfit. Rules related to color specifically can vary between regions. For instance, "women can opt for a white and red saree for Bengali weddings, and men can opt for simple kurta pajamas in light colors or take a more traditional route and wear a dhoti set. White, ivory and traditional gold sarees also fit perfectly for South Indian weddings," she explains.

Indian Wedding Attire by Religion

Dressing conservatively is important, especially for religious ceremonies. "Depending on the type of religious wedding ceremony you are attending, the dress code will vary," she says. "Some ceremonies will require covered shoulders and maybe your head, others will not. Typically the more traditional the venue—where the ceremony occurs in a mosque or temple—the more conservative the dress code."

The kind of religious ceremony can also help dictate how conservative the dress code is. "If [the couple is] having a Sikh ceremony, women and men are encouraged to attend the ceremony with their heads covered," says Nilima Patel, owner of Crimson Bleu Events. "If it's a traditional Hindu ceremony, then women can typically wear sarees or a pantsuit outfit. The reception tends to be a bit more lenient because you're there to celebrate and you want to be comfortable. Being comfortable is the most important thing at these weddings because it's easier to move around."

Where to Shop for an Indian Wedding Outfit as a Guest

Shopping for traditional wedding attire is often easiest at local boutiques, but to get inspired, it's best to start online. "Instagram is a great tool for finding different brands," says designer Sunaina Khera. "A little bit of research is always good before making a purchase. You'll get familiar with brands, their aesthetics and price ranges." From there, Gohel recommends checking out local boutiques to try on outfits before purchasing. "Most large cities have a dedicated Little India where you can find clothes, jewelry and other Indian accessories like bindis," she explains.

Patel also encourages her clients to consider rental services, since they'll likely need multiple outfits for the various events. Sites like Riya Collective and Saris and Things allow shoppers to rent a traditional ensemble for weddings instead of purchasing a brand new outfit. If you're looking for affordable options, ASOS and Mirraw offer traditional South Asian wedding outfits for under $100.

Indian Wedding Attire for Women

From traditional lehengas and sarees to modern kurta sets, we've rounded up the best Indian wedding guest attire options for women. Shop our top picks below with a click of a button.

Kalki Fashion Light Green Embroidered Silk Lehenga Choli With Dupatta

Photo: Kalki Fashion

If you're eager to embrace traditional Indian culture, consider wearing a lehenga. This timeless green crop top, skirt and dupatta set is a fashionable choice for a cocktail reception or sangeet ceremony.

Mirraw Pink Kurta Set With Zari Work In Cotton Silk Stitched

Photo: Mirraw

If you prefer the look and feel of pants you'll love this comfy kurta set. The festive fuschia ensemble is an elegant alternative to a saree or lehenga. Psst: It has metallic gold detailing so it will look extra festive on the dance floor.

Kalki Fashion Forest Green Tissue Muslin Printed Saree With Pitta Work Border

Photo: Kalki Fashion

You'll look like royalty in a regal printed saree. Its gold embroidered detailing adds an additional aspect of celebration to the floral set. Pair it with gold bangles and you'll be a strong contender for best dressed guest.

FIORRA Store Women's Maroon Poly Crepe A-line Kurta Set With Dupatta

Photo: FIORRA Store

If you constantly find yourself reaching for a jumpsuit or pants for every event, you'll love this kurta set. A gold patterned dupatta takes the classic look to the next level. The best part? You can get the entire set for less than $50.

Ashley Lehenga Sani

Photo: Rent The Runway

Not only can you rent this beautiful silver lehenga for four to eight days, Rent the Runway will also supply you with a guide to help you style the outfit yourself in the stylist notes. The breathable tulle fabric is accented with detailed embroidery for a captivating Indian wedding guest outfit for women.

SarvVastram Yellow Satin Chinon Saree

Photo: SarvVastram

This gold saree for wedding guests is an excellent choice for traditional ceremonies. It's crafted from luxuriously smooth satin fabric and features an embellished trim. Pair it with matching silver jewelry for an unforgettable look.

Men's Indian Wedding Attire

If you're looking to embrace traditional attire for your next event, the good news is that there's no shortage of options when it comes to Indian wedding clothes for men. Below, we've rounded up some of our favorites.

Kalki Fashion Blue Classic Bandhgala Suit

Photo: Kalki Fashion

For a cultural twist on your classic blue suit, consider this navy bandhgala suit. Designed to fuse Indian influences with tailoring often seen in Western attire, it's an ideal option for guests who want the flexibility of layering with their look.

Ethnic World Studio Custom Made Wool Wedding Shewani

Photo: Ethnic World Studio

For guests looking to take a more traditional route, you can't go wrong with this jodhpuri. It comes in an array of different color options including blue, burgundy and purple. Not to mention, it also costs less than $100 but looks like a total splurge.

Kalki Fashion Navy Blue Embroidered Sherwani Kurta Set

Photo: Kalki Fashion

If you're looking for formal Indian attire to wear to a wedding at an upscale venue, consider this festive kurta set. The sherwani jacket and kurta both feature intricate silver embroidery. Paired with structured navy trousers, it's a standout option for your event.

Zeroyaa Men's Silk Printed Kurta Set

Photo: Zeroyaa

This two-piece tunic set consists of an embroidered kurta—with long sleeves, a long hemline and a mandarin collar—and coordinating pants. Choose from an array of bright colorways for your outfit, including turquoise, gold, blue and more.

Mirraw Jodhpuri Set

Photo: Mirraw

This velvet jodhpuri set is a guaranteed way to stand out at your next Indian wedding. It comes with a structured blue jacket–which features embroidered detailing on the lapel–and coordinating navy trousers.

Additional reporting by Sarah Hanlon