Traditionally, Indian weddings are meant to last 3-5 days but some can extend beyond that. Therefore, it can often become overwhelming to create a put together outfit for each occasion. If you have been invited to one or if you desire to learn about the captivating world of Indian wedding outfits… don’t worry, I heard you!
Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided in this blog post reflects my point of view and may not encompass all possible aspects. Given the vast diversity of India, wedding rituals, events, and attire can vary significantly based on region, culture, and traditions.
Let’s Get Roka-Fied
The Roka ceremony was usually conducted by parents and elders, who would come together to discuss the proposal and decide on the engagement, essentially formalizing the union between the couple. However, in modern day, both families and the couple come together to celebrate and mark the beginning of their journey toward marriage. This ceremony may be celebrated with the exchange of rings (essentially, making the ceremony an Engagement) or merely the exchange of gifts. In Sikh and some Punjabi family traditions, the groom’s family presents a vaari: gifts for the bride and her family.
Whether the Roka ceremony is in the evening or morning, it is very common for women and girls to wear lehengas or gowns. If not lehengas, which are mostly worn by younger girls, women may wear intricately patterned sarees, gharara/kurti set, or straight suits w/ palazzo pants. It is a lesser known fact that gharara and sharara outfits can be worn at a wedding occasion, but, honestly, they are perfect for all and highly recommended for pear shaped bodies. Pear-shaped bodies typically have narrower shoulders and a smaller bust, with wider hips and thighs. Shararas and ghararas, with their wide flared bottoms, can help balance out your proportions by adding volume to the lower half of your body.
Turmeric Tidings: Celebrating Love and Tradition with Haldi
The Haldi Ceremony is a pre-wedding ritual alongside Sangeet, Jaggo, and Mehendi. This ritual/occasion involves applying a paste made from turmeric (haldi), oil, and water to the bride and groom’s skin. This mixture is believed to have various beneficial properties, including cleansing, beautification, and providing a natural glow to the skin.
The ceremony is usually held separately for the bride and groom at their respective homes, but, in the modern day, the bride and groom may have this ceremony at the same venue/location.
Given that Haldi usually happens in the morning (i.e. often in an outdoor area), guests may choose to wear light, breezy kurta sets with floral prints or subtle embroidery. The color theme often revolves around various shades of yellow, which perfectly harmonize with the vibrant and joyful atmosphere of the event. Cotton sarees/kurta sets, georgette floral printed sarees, and yellow anarkali suits are some generic styles to suit the dress code for the occasion. However, for all the “overdressing”-lovers out there (including ME!), no one is stopping you from wearing what you want, so feel free to wear free-flowing Indo-Western gowns/kurta sets or a lehenga with detailed embroidery.
Sway to the Rhythm: Jaggo/Sangeet Elegance
The Sangeet ceremony is a vibrant and joyous pre-wedding event in Indian weddings, particularly in Hindu and Punjabi traditions. The word “Sangeet” is derived from Sanskrit, meaning “sung together,” and true to its name, the ceremony is centered around music, dance, and celebration. Although, in twenty-first century, it is common for both men and women to be part of the sangeet ceremony, the ceremony traditionally was reserved for women only. Traditionally, women would bring a dholki (i.e. an Indian drum) in order to add more rhythms and, clearly, fun to the ceremony and songs. Sangeet may also be known as Jaggo in some regions of India, which simply translates to “wake up”. This celebration involves lighting decorated pots or lamps on the heads of the women, who then carry them while dancing and singing through the village or neighborhood at night. I am going to discuss Jaggo outfits in this article, but if you would like me to discuss Sangeet outfits comment down below.
For women, the traditional attire often consists of intricately embroidered Punjabi suits or traditional Punjabi ghagras (characterized by their flared and voluminous silhouette) in bright and lively colors like red, orange, pink, yellow, or maroon. Some women or girls may decide to wear Phulkari dupattas or actually get Phulkari work, sequins, and detailed threadwork on their kurtis to enhance the traditional charm. The ensemble is completed with a draped dupatta, styled in various ways, and adorned with heavy jewelry, including maang tikka, jhumkas, and traditional bangles. Complementing these outfits, women opt for Punjabi juttis or, in modern times, decorative heels.
Mehndi Glam
The Mehndi Ceremony is a traditional pre-wedding ritual in many South Asian. It is an integral part of weddings in countries such as India and Pakistan. The ceremony typically takes place a day or two before the wedding and involves the application of mehndi (henna) on the bride’s hands and/or feet, as well as sometimes on the groom’s hands. This ceremony may happen on the day of the Haldi ceremony or alongside (i.e. the Haldi Ceremony happening in the early morning). It is also common to have the Mehndi Ceremony in the outdoors allowing a lot of sunshine (if there is some on the day of the ceremony).
Returning to the topic of “Glam” Talk, guests have the freedom to embrace a vibrant palette, choosing from shades of green, orange, yellow, and pink. In the case of a summer wedding, I highly suggest opting for breathable attire, such as shararas paired with short kurtis, elegant organza sarees, fashionable kaftans, or other Indo-Western ensembles. While I generally advise against investing in a lehenga for the Mehendi ceremony due to its intimate nature, feel free to defy this suggestion if you possess both the budget and the desire to make a statement at this function. For winter weddings, the aforementioned options remain suitable, or consider a Brocade outfit for a touch of seasonal elegance.
Celebrating Heritage: Attire Tips for the Choora Ceremony
The Choora Ceremony is traditionally from the Northwestern States of India, such as Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. However, given the diversity in Indian states, there may be some families or communities in other states that conduct this ceremony as well. It is a significant and symbolic ritual that is typically held on the morning of the wedding day. Nonetheless, many may choose to conduct this ceremony one day before the wedding day. The word “choora” refers to a set of bangles, usually red and white (with other types thick/thin bangles alongside, such as kundan, diamond, or gold bangles). During the choora ceremony, the bride’s maternal uncle or brother presents her with a set of chooras, which are then washed in milk and rose petals. After this, the maternal uncle or brother help the bride wear the choora. The maternal family (specifically, the maternal uncle and his wife) brings the set of choora alongside other valuable items and gifts for the bride, which in whole is called Nanki Shakk in Punjabi.
The Choora Ceremony exudes an intimate ambiance, allowing for a comfortable choice in attire. While there’s no strict dress code, drawing from personal experience, I suggest opting for attire in soft shades of pink and wearing delicate, minimal jewelry.
D-Day: The Wedding
The wedding can take place during the evening (going on until the midnight) OR during the day (going on until the evening). On this day, go all out with what you wear, but still maintain elegance. When it comes to what color to wear, stick to dusty pastels for day weddings and deeper tones (such as burgundy, forest green, and mauve) for the evening. Attire options are diverse, ranging from lehengas, sarees, anarkalis, to gharara/sharara suits or the timeless charm of pashmina/organza outfits. Traditional Indian jewelry often leans towards gold, yet in contemporary settings, embellishments like kundans, jadau, rubies, and pearls bring a modern flair. The choice of jewelry can be influenced by cultural and religious preferences. To guide your selection, explore the referenced jewelry designs.
Disclaimer: I want to clarify that the content below is not a promotion or a sponsored feature. My intention is to provide you with genuine style inspiration.
