What to Wear

Question

Are there rules for wardrobe?

Answer

The only rule is to have fun. Colorful outfits are strongly encouraged. Bright, festive, celebratory colors that reflect your personality. Don't be afraid to combine colors, pair pieces with different styles, and go all out with ensembles, jewelry and makeup. So no, there are no rules! EXCEPT THREE VERY IMPORTANT ONES: 1) Don't wear red to the ceremony, as this is traditionally the bride's color. 2) Don't wear black to the Welcome Party, Haldi, Sangeet or Ceremony, as it's considered an inauspicious color. But feel free to wear black to the Reception! It's fancy! 3) Don't wear white to the Ceremony, as it's the color associated with mourning. It's ok to wear white to the Welcome Party / Mehndi, Sangeet and Reception, as long as it's paired with other, more vibrant colors and accessories. But you look great in colors! Go for something bold!

Question

Do I need more than one outfit?

Answer

Yes! But don't stress! We want you to have fun with color and express your personal style, but there are no real "rules." If you want to mix and match western and Indian attire across the different wedding events, that is totally great and you will look great! For example, maybe you want to wear western attire for the Welcome Party / Mehndi and the Haldi, and Indian attire for the Sangeet, Ceremony and Reception. Or maybe you only want to wear Indian attire for the Sangeet and Ceremony. Or maybe western attire for all the events! We only ask three simple things of our guests when it comes to wardrobe: 1) Be comfortable and true to yourselves. Style is all about confidence, and feeling confident in your looks is what matters most! 2) Try to embrace the unique spirit of each individual event. Each event has a different vibe and significance, and you will have the most fun if you dress for each specific occasion. 3) Please avoid red, white and black, as these are not considered appropriate colors for an Indian wedding!

Question

What should women wear?

Answer

Mehndi / Welcome Party: Opt for bright, comfortable outfits like lehengas, salwar suits or anarkalis in bright colors like yellow, green and orange. Fabrics like cotton or lightweight silk are common since they allow easy henna application. Flower-themed jewelry, earrings and bangles are also popular. Haldi: Haldi ceremonies can get messy with turmeric paste, so avoid expensive/delicate clothing! Wear yellow salwar suits, saris or lehengas in comfortable, light fabrics like cotton, linen or chiffon. Sangeet: For this evening event, a more glamorous look is typical. Women often wear lehengas, shararas or heavily embroidered anarkalis. The attire is festive, colorful and designed for dancing and celebration. Think bold colors: royal blue, emerald green, fuchsia or even metallics. These hues pop under the lights and suit the upbeat atmosphere. Bring out your statement jewelry like chandelier earrings, layered necklaces and bangles, as well as intricate makeup & hairstyles. Ceremony: For the most formal event, women often wear traditional attire such as a sari, lehenga, or floor-length anarkali with intricate embroidery or embellishments. Lighter pastels or jewel tones are appropriate, especially for morning ceremonies. Avoid red, white or dark colors like black. For accessories, wear elaborate jewelry including necklaces, bangles, earrings and even a maang tikka for a more traditional look. Reception: The reception is usually the most glamorous and style-forward event, so women may wear an elegant lehenga, a shimmering sari, or even a contemporary gown with Indian detailing. A mix of traditional and modern is common at receptions, so feel free to mix and match eclectic pieces to express your personal style! Jewel tones, pastels, metallics and neutrals like champagne or ivory are popular choices, and jewelry is often refined and elegant. Depending on the outfit, some women may go for a simpler style to let the outfit shine or wear statement pieces for added impact.

Question

What should men wear?

Answer

Welcome Party / Mehndi: The mehndi is casual, so men often wear light, comfortable, colorful outfits. A kurta pajama or kurta with churidar in light, breathable fabric (cotton/linen) is ideal in bright tones like yellow, green or orange. Feel free to accessorize with a simple scarf in a contrasting color. Haldi: Light linen/cotton kurtas in pastel-to-vibrant shades of yellow. Short kurtas w/light pants work, too! Sangeet: The sangeet is more festive, so men typically dress up a bit more in a kurta with a Nehru jacket, a sherwani or a bandhgala. Some men even layer a lightweight Indo-Western jacket over an Indian outfit with trousers for a more contemporary look. Jewel tones like royal blue, emerald green, maroon or metallic accents look great under evening lighting and fit the energetic atmosphere. Depending on the outfit, you can add a brooch, pocket square or a pair of mojaris (traditional shoes) to enhance the look. Ceremony: For the wedding ceremony, men generally wear traditional formal attire like a sherwani with churidar or dhoti pants. A kurta pajama with a more formal, embroidered Nehru jacket is also suitable. For colors, think cream, ivory, gold, pastel shades or traditional colors like maroon and beige, especially since our ceremony is in the morning. For accessories, you can add a brooch, pocket square or mala (necklace) to enhance the sherwani. Pairing the outfit with mojaris or juttis completes the ensemble. Reception: The reception is the most formal and glamorous event, so men often wear either a well-fitted suit or an elegant sherwani with subtle embellishments for a fusion look. Some also opt for a tailored bandh gala or an Indo-Western jacket for a sophisticated yet festive style. Classic colors like black, navy, charcoal, or dark jewel tones work well, as do lighter shades like silver, cream or pastels. For accessories, you can add cufflinks, a pocket square or a tie for a suit. Leather shoes or formal juttis work well to complete the look.

Question

Where can I buy outfits for the wedding?

Answer

If you feel overwhelmed and confused, please don't hesitate to reach out to Manini and I with any questions, and we will help! Whether it's steering you to the best sites, or weighing in on what you've added to your shopping cart, we are here for you. As you shop for outfits, please just double-check shipping times to make sure that your looks arrive in time. Happy hunting! As an overview, here is a helpful primer to help you shop: https://thechutneylife.com/a-guide-to-shopping-online-for-desi-wear/ And here are several vetted links for buying outfits online: https://www.perniaspopupshop.com/clothing https://www.kalkifashion.com/ https://www.lashkaraa.com https://www.cbazaar.com/ https://www.indianweddingsaree.com/ https://www.utsavfashion.com/