Planning guide
What to wear to an Indian wedding, event by event
Wear bright, festive clothes: something you do not mind staining for the haldi, colourful and comfortable outfits for the mehndi, dressy clothes you can dance in for the sangeet, traditional formal wear for the ceremony and formal wear for the reception. Many families prefer guests avoid all white and bridal red, and check the couple’s website for dress codes.
Is it fine for guests to wear Indian clothes?
Yes. At most South Asian weddings, guests of every background are welcome to wear Indian or Pakistani outfits, and couples usually appreciate it. If you are unsure, Western formal wear in bright colours is always acceptable. The couple’s wedding website or invitation is the best guide, since some events have a colour theme or dress code.
What should we wear to the haldi?
Yellow is traditional, and anything you wear may be stained with turmeric paste, so choose an older or inexpensive outfit: a simple kurta, a cotton dress or a casual salwar suit. Leave delicate fabrics and good shoes at home.
What should we wear to the mehndi?
Bright, cheerful colours such as green, yellow, orange and pink are common. Choose something comfortable that lets you sit for a while, with sleeves you can push back if you want henna on your hands: a light lehenga, an anarkali, a kurta set or a sundress. For men, a kurta with trousers or churidar works well.
What should we wear to the sangeet?
The sangeet is usually the dressiest party before the wedding, with lots of dancing. Sparkle and colour are welcome: a lehenga, a sharara, a saree or a cocktail dress, and a kurta, Nehru jacket or a sharp suit. Choose shoes you can dance in.
What should we wear to the wedding ceremony?
Traditional formal wear: a saree, a lehenga or an anarkali for women, and a sherwani, a kurta with a Nehru jacket, a bandhgala or a suit for men. Ceremonies can be long, and some involve sitting on the floor or standing outdoors, so wear something comfortable and bring a shawl for cool venues.
What should we wear to the reception?
Formal wear, Indian or Western: a heavier lehenga or saree, an evening gown, a sherwani, a bandhgala or a dark suit. Many guests change between the ceremony and reception if both are on the same day.
Which colours should guests avoid?
Customs vary by family, but many prefer guests not to wear all white, which is associated with mourning in many Hindu traditions, or bright red, which many brides wear. Some families also avoid black at religious events. When in doubt, choose a jewel tone or pastel, or ask the couple.
What should we know about a gurdwara or mosque?
At a Sikh Anand Karaj in a gurdwara, everyone covers their head (scarves are usually available at the door), removes their shoes and sits on the floor, so wear modest clothes that cover your shoulders and knees and are easy to sit in. At a nikah in a mosque, dress modestly, and women are often asked to cover their hair. Our ceremony basics guide explains what happens at each.
Where can we buy or rent an outfit?
Borrowing from friends is common, and many South Asian clothing stores sell and alter ready-made outfits. In New Jersey, Oak Tree Road in Edison and Iselin is a well-known South Asian shopping street, and in New York, Jackson Heights in Queens. Order early if anything needs to be stitched or altered.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-Indian guest wear a saree or lehenga?
Can I wear black to an Indian wedding?
Can I wear white to an Indian wedding?
What should men wear to an Indian wedding?
Keep planning
Learn what happens at each event in Indian wedding events explained, see real weddings for outfit ideas, or browse all our planning guides.