George Boyle
Wedding attire in Asia varies across different countries and cultures. While Western wedding dresses are popular in some Asian countries, traditional cultural gowns are also commonly worn. For instance, in India, women typically wear colourful sarees or lehengas, while in China, brides may wear a qipao or cheongsam. In Vietnam, brides wear the áo dài, a long silk tunic worn over pants, while in Afghanistan, green wedding dresses are common due to the colour's association with paradise in Islamic tradition. Ultimately, wedding attire in Asia is diverse and influenced by a mix of traditional and modern, Western styles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress color | White, red, black, green, or other bright colors |
| Wedding dress style | Traditional, modern, or a blend of both |
| Wedding guest attire | Modest Western outfits, traditional Indian clothing, or a blend of both |
| Religious ceremonies | Covered shoulders, head, knees, and arms |
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What You'll Learn
Indian wedding guest attire
Indian weddings are known for their extravagance, and attire plays an important role in the celebrations. If you're attending an Indian wedding, it's a good idea to start planning your outfit months in advance. It's important to dress formally and respectfully, and to avoid wearing red, as this is traditionally the colour worn by the bride.
For women, traditional Indian wedding guest attire includes a sari, a lehenga, or an Anarkali suit with intricate embroidery or embellishments. A sari is a garment made from a single piece of fabric draped around the body and can be worn in a number of ways. A lehenga is a three-piece ensemble consisting of a blouse, a skirt, and a dupatta (a type of scarf or shawl). A Punjabi suit is another option; it consists of a tunic, trousers, and a dupatta. These outfits can be rented if you don't want to commit to purchasing them.
If you prefer to wear Western attire, it's important to keep it modest and respectful, especially when attending religious ceremonies. Bright, festive colours are encouraged, but some colours are traditionally off-limits, such as red and black. You can also pair Western outfits with Indian accessories, such as bangles, heavy jewellery, and Indian bags.
For men, traditional Indian wedding guest attire includes a sherwani or a bandhgala suit. These are formal ensembles that are typically worn for special occasions. Kurta pajama sets are also an option and can be worn by anyone.
It's important to research the regional differences in Indian wedding attire before deciding on an outfit, as the dress code can vary depending on the region and the type of religious ceremony.
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Chinese wedding attire
Chinese brides usually wear red, as it symbolises happiness, prosperity and good fortune. The custom began over 650 years ago during the Ming Dynasty and remains a popular choice for traditional Chinese couples. Brides may also wear gold and yellow, which are seen as imperial and lucky colours. These colours often feature in embroidery or accessories. White and black are less traditional choices as they are associated with mourning and death. Many brides will have several outfit changes, with red being one of the dresses, if not the main one.
The two most common types of traditional Chinese wedding dresses are the qipao or cheongsam and the qun kwa. The former is available in a variety of colours, including red, and can be customised with red brocade fabric. The latter is popular for brides with cultural ties to Southern China, especially for tea ceremonies.
Grooms usually wear a chang pao ma gua, tang suit or zhongshan suit. The chang pao ma gua consists of a long silk robe and an ornate jacket, usually in black, red or gold. The tang suit is slightly less formal and consists of a long robe and a mandarin jacket, often in deep red, gold or navy. The zhongshan suit is the most modern choice but is still considered traditional. It is similar to a Western suit but features Eastern details like a Mandarin collar and overlapping lapels secured with five buttons. Grooms may also choose to wear a Western tux with Eastern details, such as a bold red bow tie.
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Colour considerations
Colour plays a significant role in wedding attire across Asia. While some countries like India and Pakistan have specific colours to avoid, others like China and Vietnam have embraced the Western white wedding dress.
India
In India, red is the most traditional colour for bridal wear, and it is considered disrespectful for guests to wear it to a wedding. Other colours to avoid include white and black. Guests are encouraged to wear colourful outfits, with shades of yellow and orange being popular. Women typically wear sarees or lehengas, which can be accessorised with bangles and jhumka earrings.
Pakistan
Like Indian weddings, guests at Pakistani weddings often wear colourful outfits and accessorise with bangles and jhumka earrings.
China
Chinese wedding attire has increasingly adopted Western styles, with many brides choosing to wear white gowns. However, traditional Chinese wedding dresses come in a variety of colours, and modern interpretations may blend Western and Eastern styles. Gold accessories are commonly paired with Chinese wedding outfits.
Vietnam
In Vietnam, red is a popular colour for bridal wear as it is believed to bring good luck to the couple. However, some Vietnamese brides choose to wear white Western-style dresses.
Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, green is a common colour for wedding dresses due to its association with paradise in Islamic tradition.
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Traditional vs. modern
There is a wide variety of dazzling cultural dresses across Asia that continue to be worn for wedding ceremonies today. Many brides throughout Asia wear their country's traditional cultural gowns in addition to the white, more Westernized dress.
In India, a South Asian nation with over a billion citizens, bridal fashion comes in a wide diversity of ornate styles and colours, though red silk is the most traditional. The typical bridal look includes a चोली (choli - midriff-baring blouse), लहंगा (lehenga - skirt), and दुपट्टा (dupatta - multi-purpose scarf). Women can also opt for a white and red saree for Bengali weddings. However, colours such as red, white and black must be avoided at all wedding ceremonies and events. For Indian weddings, guests will often wear bangles and Jhumka earrings.
In Vietnam, the national costume is the áo dài, a long silk tunic worn over pants, which makes Vietnam one of the few countries where the bride wears pants. The Vietnamese bride often wears red, as it is thought to bring good luck to the couple.
In China, brides used to wear black, then red, before the Western white gown became ubiquitous. There are modern interpretations of Chinese wedding outfits, and traditional choices such as the cheongsam and the Qipao. The Zhongshan suit is a modern choice for grooms, but it is still considered traditional. It emerged in the 20th century and has the look of a Western suit but features Eastern details like a Mandarin collar.
In Afghanistan, green is a common colour for wedding dresses because of its association with paradise in Islamic tradition.
While Asian weddings differ from Western weddings, there is also a lot of variation between cultures in Asia. For instance, Chinese weddings require very different attire from Pakistani weddings. It is not necessary to wear the clothes of the bride and groom's culture, but it can sometimes be a nice gesture.
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Western influence
The influence of Western wedding attire in Asia is complex and varies across different countries and cultures. While some Asian brides have embraced Western-style wedding dresses, others continue to wear traditional cultural gowns, and some opt for a combination of both.
In China, for example, there has been a notable shift towards European-style wedding costumes, with many Chinese brides choosing to wear white Western-style gowns, a trend that originated with Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840. This has led to a thriving market for modern Chinese wedding dress designers who blend Western styles with traditional Chinese elements. However, some Chinese brides are pushing back against this Western influence and choosing to wear traditional hanfu bridal wear or modern interpretations of traditional Chinese outfits, such as the cheongsam or qipao.
In India, wedding attire varies regionally, and both Western and traditional Indian outfits can be appropriate for guests. Women typically wear sarees, lehengas, or pantsuit outfits, depending on the region and the type of ceremony. While red is a traditional colour for Indian brides, reflecting its association with good luck, Western-style white wedding dresses have also gained popularity. Some Indian brides choose to wear both a traditional outfit and a Western-style dress during the various ceremonies associated with the wedding.
In other parts of Asia, wedding attire also reflects a mix of Western and traditional influences. For instance, in Vietnam, the national costume, the áo dài, is still worn as a wedding outfit, but Western-style white dresses are also popular. In Afghanistan, green is the colour of choice for wedding dresses due to its association with paradise in Islamic tradition, demonstrating how cultural and religious beliefs shape wedding fashion in unique ways.
Overall, while Western wedding attire has had a noticeable influence on Asia, the adoption of Western styles varies across the continent, and traditional outfits remain important for many brides and cultures. The choice of wedding attire is often a blend of modern and traditional elements, reflecting the unique blend of old and new that characterises weddings in Asia.
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Frequently asked questions
Women in Asia wear a variety of wedding dresses, including both traditional and Western styles. In some Asian countries, such as China, Vietnam, and Thailand, Western-style white wedding dresses are common. In other Asian countries, such as India, traditional cultural gowns in colours like red, pink, and green are more typical.
It is recommended to avoid wearing red to an Asian wedding, as it is a common colour for the bride's outfit and you may clash with her. It is also suggested to avoid white, as it is a popular wedding dress colour in some Asian countries.
Female guests at an Indian wedding typically wear sarees or lehengas, which are ankle-length skirts with a stretch of fabric draped over the body. It is also appropriate to wear Western attire, especially if it features bright, festive colours. However, it is important to dress modestly and avoid showing too much skin.
For a Chinese wedding, female guests should avoid wearing black or white. Gold accessories are a good choice, as they complement traditional Chinese outfits.
In Vietnam, the national costume, called the áo dài, is often worn as a wedding dress. It is a long silk tunic worn over pants, making Vietnam unique in that the bride typically wears trousers.
