Franklin Dean
Indian weddings are vibrant, glamorous, and colourful, with guests often wearing traditional Indian clothing. For women, this could be a sari, lehenga, or an Anarkali suit with intricate embroidery or embellishments. The sari is considered the bridal dress in South India, while brides in North India prefer the lehenga. The colour of the wedding dress is also important, with red considered the most auspicious colour for a Hindu bride. White is also becoming more popular for brides, though it is still considered a big no-no for guests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colors | Bright, vibrant, and glamorous colors are typical. Red is considered auspicious for Hindu brides, while white is typically avoided by guests. |
| Style | Traditional styles like sarees, lehengas, and salwar kameez are common. Modern interpretations, such as fusion gowns or Western attire in vibrant colors, are also acceptable. |
| Accessories | Gold jewelry, henna patterns, and bangles are often worn. |
| Occasion | Indian weddings are usually multi-day affairs, with different dress codes for each event, such as the haldi, sangeet, and mehndi ceremonies. |
| Comfort | Indian attire can be heavy, so comfort and ease of movement are important considerations. |
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What You'll Learn
Sarees, lehengas, and gowns
Sarees are a traditional Indian garment that is considered ideal wedding attire for brides. They vary in length from 5 to 9 yards, with the standard length being 6 yards, and are worn by tucking and wrapping the end part around the waist while draping the pallu side over the shoulder, partly revealing the waist. Sarees can be styled in a myriad of ways, with different colour combinations, designs, and embroideries. For instance, white and red sarees are worn at Bengali weddings, while white, ivory, and traditional gold sarees are worn at South Indian weddings. Sarees can also be styled with gold bangles for a festive look.
Lehengas are another popular choice for Indian brides and wedding guests. They are a timeless outfit that typically includes a skirt and dupatta, often paired with a crop top. They come in a variety of colours, including beige, black, blue, green, pink, purple, red, white, yellow, and gold. Lehengas can be styled in many ways, from plunging necklines to heavy borders and thread work. For a more modern look, a lehenga can be paired with a comfortable kurta set, which is an elegant alternative to a saree.
Gowns are also favoured by Indian women for weddings, with Indo-western gowns being a popular choice. Indian wedding gowns are often heavily embellished and can be paired with embellished Nehru jackets. For wedding guests, any cocktail dress or ensemble that one would typically wear to a Western wedding is also suitable. It is important to consider the theme of the wedding, the current fashion trends, personal style preferences, and the relationship with the couple when choosing an outfit. Additionally, dressing conservatively is important for religious ceremonies, with some requiring covered shoulders or heads.
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Traditional Indian weaves and silk
Indian weddings are a vibrant and glamorous affair, with guests often embracing unique colours and traditional styles to honour the couple and their culture. Indian wedding dresses are not just clothing but symbols of culture, tradition, and artistry. They are known for their intricate designs, vibrant colours, and exquisite fabrics, with silk being a popular choice.
Indian weddings are often multi-day affairs with a variety of events, each with its own specific wardrobe requirements and guidelines. The haldi ceremony, for example, usually takes place the day before the wedding, and guests are encouraged to wear yellow attire. The sangeet ceremony is a dance-off with stage performances from the bride's and groom's families, and guests are often instructed to wear sparkly outfits.
Indian wedding dresses come in various styles, each reflecting the rich culture and traditions of the country. The most popular styles include the saree, lehenga, and anarkali. Sarees are long fabrics draped around the body, often made from silk and featuring intricate embroidery and beading. Lehengas are two-piece outfits with a long skirt and a crop top, with the skirt often heavily embroidered and the top made from luxurious fabrics like silk. Anarkalis are long, flowing gowns with a fitted bodice and a flared skirt.
When it comes to traditional Indian weaves and silk, one notable example is the Banarasi saree. These sarees are crafted by master artisans from the heritage city of Varanasi and reflect centuries of tradition, culture, and craftsmanship. They are made from 100% pure silk and are Silk Mark certified, ensuring authenticity and quality. Banarasi sarees come in a variety of weaves, including Katan, Khaddi Georgette, Organza, Brocade, Tissue, Tussar, Paithani, Chanderi, Tanchoi, and Uppada silk.
Other traditional Indian silk outfits include the lehenga, which can be made from silk and is a popular choice for brides, and the anarkali, which can also be made from silk and is a long, flowing outfit. For men, silk kurtas and dhoti kurtas are also traditional Indian silk outfits that can be worn for weddings and other special occasions.
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Bright, auspicious colours
Indian weddings are known for their vibrant colours, with guests often wearing bright, festive shades. While Western attire is usually appropriate, guests may want to embrace the unique opportunity to experience Indian culture and opt for traditional clothing.
Red is the most popular colour for Hindu weddings, as it is linked to the Goddess Durga and the planet Mars, which is the astrological planet for marriages. It is also believed to bring good luck and fortune. The bride usually wears red, so guests should avoid this shade. However, pink is a popular alternative, symbolising affection, harmony, friendship and peace. A darker fuchsia shade is a great option for those seeking a more dramatic look.
Orange is another bright and bold colour, symbolising happiness and vibrant energy. It is a popular choice for bridal attire, with bridesmaids also often wearing orange sarees or Anarkali.
Purple is associated with royalty and nobility, as well as power, luxury, opulence and grandeur. It is often combined with gold to create a luxurious atmosphere.
Yellow is the dominant colour of the Haldi ceremony, a pre-wedding ritual where a yellow turmeric paste is applied to the couple. It symbolises sunshine and optimism, prosperity and opulence.
Gold is a popular accent colour, with brides and their bridal parties often wearing gold jewellery.
Green is another colour synonymous with Indian weddings and is a popular choice for guests.
While black is traditionally considered inauspicious and should be avoided, white is sometimes worn by guests, especially to a Bengali wedding.
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Gold jewellery and henna
Indian weddings are rich in culture, symbolism, and vibrant colours. Gold jewellery is a central part of Indian bridal attire, symbolising tradition, wealth, and blessings for the future. Gold bangles, for instance, are believed to represent good fortune and prosperity, with the clink sound they make thought to ward off negative energy and protect the bride.
Gold wedding jewellery sets typically include a necklace, earrings, and bangles. A gold wedding necklace is considered the centrepiece of a bride's look, reflecting the cultural richness of the occasion. Earrings, meanwhile, frame the face with grace, and can be bold or delicate.
Gold rings are also exchanged in Indian wedding ceremonies, symbolising eternal love and commitment. In addition, the mangalsutra, a sacred Indian marriage necklace made of black beads and gold, is tied around the bride's neck by her groom as a symbol of their marriage and commitment. It is considered a protective talisman that wards off evil and signifies the longevity of the husband's life.
Henna, or Mehndi, is another cherished aspect of Indian weddings, symbolizing joy, beauty, and spiritual awakening. The darkness of the henna stain is said to represent the strength of the bride's relationship with her future spouse and mother-in-law. It is not just a beautiful art form but also serves to protect against evil spirits. The Mehendi ceremony, where the bride, her family, and guests have their henna done, is now considered the official opening event of an Indian wedding.
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Salwar kameez
Indian weddings are vibrant, glamorous, and colourful affairs. They are also often multiday celebrations, with a variety of events to attend, each with its own specific wardrobe requirements. For instance, at the haldi ceremony, which is a religious purification ceremony, guests are encouraged to wear yellow attire.
One option for women attending an Indian wedding is a Punjabi suit, also known as a salwar kameez. This is a three-piece set consisting of a tunic, trousers, and a dupatta (scarf). The salwar kameez is a popular choice for women to wear to Indian weddings and other traditional celebrations. It is also a good option for those who prefer the look and feel of pants.
When choosing an outfit for an Indian wedding, it is important to keep in mind that Indian weddings tend to be quite traditional, and revealing or casual attire may be frowned upon. Additionally, while Western attire may sometimes be appropriate, wearing traditional Indian clothing is a way to honour the couple and their culture.
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Frequently asked questions
Indian wedding attire for women usually consists of a sari, a lehenga choli, or an Anarkali suit with intricate embroidery or embellishments. A sari is a traditional garment consisting of a long piece of fabric draped over the body, while a lehenga is a skirt and top set, and an Anarkali suit is a long, flowing tunic with fitted pants or leggings.
Indian weddings are known for their bright, vibrant colours. Guests are encouraged to wear colourful attire, with yellow being a common choice for the Haldi ceremony. It is also important to consider the cultural and religious significance of colours in Indian weddings. For example, red is considered the most auspicious colour for a Hindu bride, while white is typically worn by Christian brides in India.
Indian weddings are a time to celebrate and be extravagant. Guests are encouraged to wear grand and ornate outfits, with pure silk and hand-embroidered details being a common choice. Traditional Indian fabrics, such as cotton, silk, and linen, are also a good option.
Accessories play an important role in Indian wedding attire. Women often wear gold and other types of jewellery, such as bangles, necklaces, and statement earrings. Henna, or Mehendi, is also commonly applied to the palms, hands, forearms, legs, and feet of female guests.
