What to Wear to an Indian Wedding as a Guest: A Men's Guide, Function by Function
What a male guest should wear to each Indian wedding function: haldi, mehendi, sangeet, the wedding and the reception, plus winter layers and colours to avoid.
Wedding season is about to begin. If you've been invited to more than one function, the real question isn't "what do I wear", it's "what do I wear five times without looking like I've worn the same thing five times".
The short answer: for the haldi and mehendi, something light, bright and washable. For the sangeet, something with a bit of shine that you can dance in. For the wedding, a silk or embroidered kurta set, with a Nehru jacket if it's cold. For the reception, your dressiest and darkest outfit. And throughout, look like you've made an effort without competing with the groom.
The one rule: don't upstage the groom or his family
The groom and his family usually wear the heaviest embroidery and the brightest colours. As a guest, your job is to look good standing next to them, not to be mistaken for one of them. In practice that means three things.
- Skip anything sherwani-heavy. A kurta set, or a kurta with a Nehru jacket, is the right level for a guest.
- Ask whether there's a colour theme. A lot of weddings now have one for each function, and it's easier to ask than to guess.
- When in doubt, go one step simpler than you'd planned.
Haldi
The haldi is a daytime, messy, cheerful function. Turmeric paste goes everywhere, and it stains. So wear yellow, and wear something you won't be upset about afterwards.
Our Mustard Yellow Embroidered Festive Kurta names haldi ceremonies in its listing, but it's a festive piece with sequin highlights, so I'd only wear it if you're watching from a safe distance. If you're going to be in the thick of it, a printed cotton kurta, like the yellow floral one, is lighter, cheaper and much easier to wash.
Cotton and linen are what you want here. Silk and turmeric don't mix.
Embroidered Kurta
Mustard Yellow Embroidered Festive Kurta
Occasional Wear
Printed Cotton Kurta - Yellow Floral
Casual Wear
Printed Cotton Linen Kurta - Multicolor
Mehendi
The mehendi is usually daytime too, and more relaxed than the main functions. Colour and print are welcome.
- Our Oasis embroidered festive kurtas, in cerulean blue, cream and lilac, have fine vertical threadwork and a palm-tree landscape along the hem and cuffs. Their listings name daytime mehendi functions specifically.
- The Magenta Ornate Embroidered Kurta has a richly detailed embroidered chest panel, and it's described for sangeets and mehndi ceremonies.
- The Mint Green Chikankari Style Embroidered Kurta is described for daytime summer weddings, and a pastel like that sits well at a mehendi.
Embroidered Kurta
Blue Oasis Embroidered Festive Kurta
Embroidered Kurta
Cream Festive Oasis Embroidered Kurta
Embroidered Kurta
Embroidered Kurta - Magenta
Embroidered Kurta
Mint Green Chikankari Style Embroidered Kurta
Sangeet
The sangeet is an evening of music and dancing, so two things matter: something that catches the light, and something you can actually move in.
- The Royal Indigo Embroidered Festive Kurta and the Sea Green Chikankari and Muted Sequin Kurta both carry sequins through the threadwork, and both are described for sangeets.
- Our party wear short kurta sets, in soft crepe with all-over artwork, are the most comfortable dancing option we have. The pajama is bought separately.
- The Japanese embroidered short kurta sets are a quieter choice if you'd rather not sparkle.
Embroidered Kurta
Royal Indigo Embroidered Festive Kurta
Embroidered Kurta
Sequin Kurta - Sea Green
Short Kurta Set
Ivory Multicolor Mughal Ballerina Party Wear Short Kurta Set
Short Kurta Set
Black Japanese Embroidered Short Kurta Set
The wedding ceremony
This is the main event, and usually the longest. You might dance in the baraat and then sit through a long ceremony, so comfort still counts.
A kurta set is the simplest choice.
- Cotton Silk Embroidered Kurta Sets, ₹6,000 right now: cotton silk, embroidery with subtle sequin work, full sleeves and a matching straight-fit pajama. The listing names weddings, receptions, sangeet and haldi.
- Dola Silk Embroidered Kurta Sets, ₹3,500: Dola silk with floral and heritage embroidery and a concealed placket.
- Japanese Embroidered Kurta Sets, ₹3,500: floral-tree embroidery and embroidered cuffs.
Or build the outfit yourself: an embroidered silk kurta with a white pajama, and a Jamawar or jacquard Nehru jacket on top. And if you're dancing in the baraat, our Maroon Red Baraat Palace Elephant Printed Party Kurta was more or less named for the occasion.
Kurta Set
Men's Sand Gold Cotton Silk Embroidered Kurta Set
Kurta Set
Men's Sage Green Cotton Silk Embroidered Kurta Set
Kurta Set
Men's Ivory Dola Silk Floral Embroidered Kurta Set
Occasional Wear
Maroon Red Baraat Palace Elephant Printed Party Kurta
The reception
The reception is the dressiest event of the lot, and usually the most photographed. Go darker and richer.
- The ornate bib-embroidered kurta sets, in midnight navy and deep plum, have heavy embroidery down the chest and matching trousers, and they're described for wedding receptions and evening functions.
- The Black Dola Silk Heritage Embroidered Kurta Set is about as formal as a kurta set gets.
- A corduroy coat over a kurta pajama is the winter reception look. Ours have a notch lapel, a chest pocket and flap pockets, and they're made to pair with a kurta pajama.
Kurta Set
Imperial Navy Ornate Bib Embroidered Kurta Set
Kurta Set
Embroidered Kurta Set - Midnight Plum Ornate
Kurta Set
Men's Black Dola Silk Heritage Embroidered Kurta Set
Men's Coat
Classic Mocha Corduroy Coat
Winter weddings: staying warm without hiding the outfit
Winter weddings in North India often mean an open-air venue and a cold night. The worst outcome is a lovely kurta hidden under whatever jacket you grabbed on the way out.
Plan the warm layer as part of the outfit.
- A corduroy waistcoat, ₹2,000 right now, adds real warmth. Ours are fine-wale cotton corduroy, and their listing names winter weddings. They come in chocolate brown, taupe beige, slate blue, sage green and olive.
- A corduroy coat, ₹4,500, for the coldest nights, over a kurta pajama.
- Silk and cotton silk sets are warmer than linen. Save linen for daytime and summer weddings.
Nehru Jacket
Corduroy Waistcoat - Dark Chocolate Brown
Nehru Jacket
Corduroy Waistcoat - Dusty Slate Blue
Nehru Jacket
Corduroy Waistcoat - Dusty Olive Green
Men's Coat
Rich Chocolate Corduroy Coat
Colours: what to wear and what to skip
India has too many communities and customs for one rule, so take this as general guidance.
- Safe almost everywhere: jewel tones like maroon, wine, emerald, royal blue and indigo for the evening functions, and pastels and ivory for the daytime ones.
- Check first: all-black and all-white. Some families consider them unlucky at a wedding, and others don't mind at all. Ask, or keep them for the reception.
- Don't match the groom. If you know what he's wearing, choose something different.
One outfit, three functions
You don't need a new outfit for every function. One good kurta can cover three of them.
- Mehendi: a light embroidered kurta with a white cotton pajama.
- Sangeet: the same kurta with a sequin or jacquard Nehru jacket on top.
- Reception: the same jacket over a different, darker kurta, or the same kurta under a corduroy coat if it's cold.
A couple of kurtas, a pajama or two and two Nehru jackets will get you through most wedding weekends. Our Nehru jacket guide covers which jacket goes over which kurta.
| Function | Time | Go for | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haldi | Day | Yellow cotton or linen, something washable | Silk, anything precious |
| Mehendi | Day | Pastels, prints, light embroidery | Heavy, dark outfits |
| Sangeet | Evening | Sequins, shine, a short kurta you can dance in | Anything stiff |
| Wedding | Evening or night | Silk or cotton silk kurta set, Nehru jacket | Out-dressing the groom |
| Reception | Evening | Your darkest, richest outfit, a corduroy coat if it's cold | Daytime pastels |
If you're family, not just a guest
Everything above assumes you're a guest. If you're the groom's brother, the bride's cousin or a close friend in the baraat, you can go a step dressier, and you'll probably be asked to match a colour.
That's where a Nehru jacket earns its place. If the family has picked a colour for a function, it's far easier to find a waistcoat in that colour than a whole outfit. Our Jamawar waistcoats come in maroon and gold, golden yellow, crimson, rust, ivory and several pinks, and the jacquard ones add navy, sky blue, silver grey, ivory, black, pink and a red diamond pattern. Wear the family colour on top, keep your kurta neutral, and you'll match in the photographs without buying a fourth outfit.
Nehru Jacket
Classic Red Jamawar Waistcoat
Nehru Jacket
Ivory Cream Jamawar Waistcoat
Nehru Jacket
Jacquard Waistcoat - Navy Blue Diamond
Nehru Jacket
Jacquard Waistcoat - Red Diamond
One caution for family members. You'll be on your feet for hours, dancing, carrying things and doing the running around. Choose the outfit you can still breathe in at one in the morning.
Getting the outfit ready the night before
Most wedding-outfit disasters happen at the last minute, so do these the evening before.
- Steam or iron everything on the reverse side. Silk and the embroidered pieces should get low heat or steam only, and the care labels on most of our silk sets say exactly that: steam or low-heat iron.
- Try the whole outfit on, jacket and all, and check every button.
- Hang it up. Don't leave it folded in the bag, because silk and linen both hold on to creases.
- If you're travelling, carry the silk sets on a hanger in a breathable garment bag rather than folded into a suitcase.
Choosing your size
Our kurta sets come in sizes 36 to 46, the corduroy coats go up to 48, and the full sets are cut to a regular fit. If you're going to layer, say a corduroy coat over a silk kurta, try the coat on over the kurta, not over a T-shirt.
When you're between sizes, message us on WhatsApp before you order rather than relying on an exchange in the middle of wedding season.
A quick checklist before you order
- Write down every function you're attending, and whether it's in the day or the evening.
- Ask the family about colour themes.
- Plan around a couple of kurtas, two Nehru jackets and a pajama or two, then see what's actually missing.
- Check your sizes, and remember any layer that will go on top.
- Allow for processing and delivery time before the first function, not the main wedding day.
- If a piece is marked down by more than 40%, be sure of the size, because it can't be exchanged.
Order early, and know the exchange rules
Our deliveries to metro cities take 3 to 5 business days after processing, and processing itself can stretch to 5 business days in the festive season. If the wedding falls early in the season, don't wait.
Exchanges are possible within 7 days of delivery for unworn, unwashed pieces with their tags on, and the courier charges both ways are yours. Sale items and pieces marked down by more than 40% can't be exchanged, so check your size before you order.
If you're in Delhi, bring your list of functions to our store in Abul Fazal Enclave, Okhla. It's five minutes from Okhla Vihar metro and open every day from 11:30 AM to 10 PM. Or WhatsApp us on +91 95994 44945.
— Faisal
Questions people ask
What should a male guest wear to an Indian wedding?
A kurta set, or a kurta with a Nehru jacket. Lighter colours with cotton or linen for the daytime functions, and silk and embroidery for the evening ones.
Can I wear a kurta pajama to a wedding as a guest?
Yes. A silk or embroidered kurta pajama, with or without a Nehru jacket, is exactly right for a guest.
What should I wear to a winter wedding as a guest?
A silk or cotton silk kurta set with a corduroy Nehru jacket, or a corduroy coat over a kurta pajama for the coldest nights.
What colours should a male wedding guest avoid?
Anything that matches the groom, and all-black or all-white unless you know the family doesn't mind.
Can I wear the same outfit to more than one wedding function?
Yes. Change the Nehru jacket or the pajama and one good kurta can cover the mehendi, the sangeet and the reception.
