How to Dress for an Indian Wedding
Indian weddings are festive multiple day celebrations of grandeur. Indian weddings rely heavily on tradition and culture, which is exhibited in wedding attire. Indian brides wear an elaborately decorated panetar sari, designated only for marriage ceremonies, while Indian grooms wears a sherwani; a long knee length shirt and matching pants. Indian guests typically wear traditional Indian clothing to Indian weddings. If you are a non-Indian guest, learn the appropriate attire you can wear to a formal Indian wedding ceremony. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Wear clothes that fit comfortably and allow you to move and sit on the ground. It's not unusual for guests and the wedding party to sit on the ground during a wedding ceremony. Non-Indian guests may wear non-traditional Indian clothing to weddings as long as it doesn't restrict movement because Indian weddings involve many traditional dances that require guest participation. Women can wear a knee-length skirt or dress and men may wear dress pants and a dress shirt.
-
2
Wear shoes you are comfortable taking off and avoid wearing stockings or pantyhose. You must remove your shoes before entering Hindu temples and places of worship. Additionally, Raas-Garba, an Indian wedding tradition, involves barefoot folk dancing of all guests in attendance, so you must remove shoes, socks or stockings before participating in the Raas-Garba.
-
-
3
Consider a henna or mehandi application in celebration of the bride. Indian brides apply henna to their hands and feet in celebration of their pending nuptials the night before the wedding ceremony. Some Indian brides host henna parties for female guests to receive henna applications before the wedding festivities.
-
4
Purchase traditional Indian attire such as a sari if you want to fit in with the Indian guests and wedding party. Avoid wearing a panetar sari or sherwani which are only designated for the bride and groom. Ask an Indian guest or friend to help you select the appropriate Indian attire in your size.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit indian man walking arm in arm with his family image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
