You need to know what to wear to an Indian wedding. If you have been invited to share in the celebration of this momentous occasion, then there are rules to be followed and tips that can help you to dress beautifully and appropriately. Keep in mind this is a religious ceremony and be respectful of the occasion and the families of the bride and groom.

How to Dress

r traditional Indian wedding outfits

Indian wedding dress is usually red, so it would be inappropriate for you to wear red, however if you have a dress that has some red it, but it is not the main colour it would be alright. Try your best not to outshine the bride on her special day. It is also best to avoid wearing white or black as these colours are associated with funerals and mourning. It is greatly appreciated if you wear traditional Indian wedding outfits, but western dresses are alright to wear if they are demure. Be sure your dress covers your shoulders, does not reveal any cleavage and falls below the knee. You want to avoid tight fitting dresses too, as you may have to sit on the floor, so loose fitting, long, comfortable dresses with plenty of give are best.

latest indian wedding dresses

Bright, beautiful dresses are perfect to wear to an Indian wedding. Some of the latest wedding dresses are not the typical bold red colour, but be sure to still honour this tradition and abstain from wearing it. Play it safe and bring a handkerchief, scarf or shawl with you in case you need to cover your head, which may be necessary for a Muslim ceremony, for instance. You may possibly need to remove your shoes, so try to wear ones that can easily be taken off and on, just in case. Many women will wear a different outfit to the reception than they did to the wedding ceremony itself. This is not necessary but is a common practice and if you choose to change, follow the same rules. Dress tastefully and modestly.

Indian Style

Indian Style

Sarees

Indian wedding sarees,

If you are unfamiliar with Indian wedding sarees, than you may not want to purchase one and try to learn how to wear it if you are going to be attending your first Indian wedding. However, if you are use to wearing these beautiful ensembles than this is what to wear to an Indian wedding. You will want to wear a colourful, gorgeous saree to celebrate the special occasion. These are happy occasions and your clothes should reflect this. Make sure to accessorise with plenty of jewellery, too.

Indian wedding sarees

With all the fascinating, colourful clothing, it will be tempting to snap lots of photographs. Be sure it  is alright, because certain rituals will not allow it. There will be plenty of photos being taken on this memorable day, so dressing your best is highly recommended. After-all, you don’t want to stand out in the photos as being the most under-dressed person at the events. Indian wedding sarees are as colourful and grand as the ceremony itself and look fabulous in pictures.

Lehenga

Lehenga

Bold, bright, beautiful colours are what to wear at a wedding and wedding lehengas are splendid for this. Try to choose designs that are tasteful and not too revealing. Pick one with a choli (blouse) that covers you well. The dupatta (long, wide scarf or shawl) is a multi-purpose piece that serves to cover over your arms, midriff and can be placed over your head if needed. The dupatta is an essential part of all the Indian wedding outfits for all types of religious wedding ceremonies.

Lehenga

Wedding lehengas can even be in modern, bright, neon shades if you desire. Bright and bold colours are what to wear to an Indian wedding. It certainly isn’t a time to be shy and understated. It is a time to celebrate, to have fun and be happy! Your clothing is all part of this grand moment and should show your mood. If you plan to wear one of these amazing outfits, then shop around until you find one that is colourful enough for you and the wedding event you will be attending.

Salwar Kameez

Salwar Kameez

If this is your first time attending an Indian wedding and you wish to try wearing one of the traditional Indian wedding outfits, then the salwar kameez is a fantastic choice. This ensemble is easy to put on and very comfortable, especially if you are wary of sitting on the floor in a dress. You can easily find beautifully ornate salwar kameez in an array of colours that would be completely suitable for what to wear at a wedding. Find one that comes with matching leggings to complete your look.

Salwar Kameez

There are many different styles and lengths of salwar kameez to choose from, but be sure the length goes below the knee when you plan to attend an Indian wedding. Choose tasteful, modest styles that will cover your shoulders and not reveal any cleavage. There are so many designs to choose from that a good place to start is by looking at photographs online to give you an idea of what you would like best. You might even be able to order your outfit from a store online and have it delivered to you, if you do not have any stores nearby that carry gorgeous Indian clothing. Many of these online sites have advice for what to wear to an Indian wedding and even have separate categories of wedding guest attire to select when shopping to make it easier for you.

Pavadai for Little Girls

Pavadai for Little Girls

If your young daughter has been invited to the wedding, she may be wondering what to wear to an Indian wedding, too. Traditionally, the pavadai (pavada) is the outfit that is best for her. This is a long, roomy skirt with an adorable matching blouse. Once again, these come in a wide variety of styles and colours for every taste. She will want to be just as bright and beautiful as the women who will be attending the ceremony and this can easily be achieved by wearing this traditional dress. This is a special occasion that she will get a chance to dress up and wear lots of jewellery, too.

Pavadai for Little Girls

Keep in mind your child’s age when selecting her clothes. If she is very young you may wish to include matching leggings to wear under her pavadai as young children are not always mindful of what they are doing. This may be more comfortable for the little girl too, and give her a little more freedom to move around. Any girl of any age will look adorable in a colourful pavadai and will get plenty of attention for how cute she will look when she wears it.

Western Style

Indian wedding have transformed from traditional outfits to fusion wear. Apart from the brides who experiment with their attires her girlfriends and siblings are flaunting gowns, maxi dresses, skirts with Indian jewellery for the trendy fusion look. Lets look at some ideas here.

Western Maxi Dress

Western Maxi Dress

If you want to know what to wear to an Indian wedding, but don’t feel comfortable trying a traditional Indian outfit, then western style dresses are fine. A maxi dress can meet the requirements for this occasion as long as it is modest and does not have a plunging neckline. Feel free to wear colourful, brilliant dresses and follow the same guidelines for colours that have already been given. A full length skirt can be soft and billowing enough to cover your legs if you find yourself sitting on the floor. You will be expected to do as everyone else does during the ceremonies, so dress appropriately.

Western Maxi Dress

Colourful floral patterns are a perfect choice for a western style dress when you are a guest at an Indian wedding. It is a great way to have a wonderful splash of colour and fit in with the bright traditional Indian outfits. Although red is a bright, beautiful colour, it is best to leave that colour for the bride’s Indian wedding dress. There are many other colours you can choose from, such as pink, orange, yellow and green that can be quite alluring.

Western Midi Dresses

Western Midi Dresses

If you choose to wear a shorter skirt to an Indian wedding, make sure it is below the knee, mini skirts are very frowned upon and considered disrespectful. Do not wear a tight dress, as you may regret it if you have to sit on the floor at any point and it is also seen as distasteful for this type of event. A dress with a colourful pattern of any kind would be acceptable as long as the pattern is classy. A dress with an ample skirt and a prudent top is the best choice.

Western Midi Dresses

Don’t forget that jewellery is an important part to wear to an Indian wedding. You may look a little out of place if you don’t wear any jewelry at all, as most ladies like to show off their bling at these events. Try your best to wear jewelry that will match your dress. You should be able to find something appropriate to wear out of all the latest wedding dresses for guests that are available in stores and online without a problem. Remember the occasion will be a joyful, religious one when picking out your outfit, so choose wisely. You will want to enjoy yourself at the wedding, without worrying that you dressed inappropriately, so try to follow the guidelines given for the best results.

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