Tips to Dress Yourself for Pakistani & Indian Wedding

Everyone attending an Indian wedding for the first time will be confronted with the perplexing subject of what to dress as a guest. We are here to help you figure things out.

If you've been asked to an Indian wedding ceremony by a friend or relative, rejoice. Even though these events are usually joyful, let us first address your initial question:

What should I dress as a guest at a wedding in Pakistan or India?

Even if there are some dress code recommendations on the wedding invitation, it is best to review the basic traditions and conventions of guest costumes at Pakistani or Indian weddings on your own time.

To make things easier, here are some specifics about Pakistani and Indian weddings and how to guarantee that you respect their customs.

Prepare for Several Ceremonies and Events.

The wedding ceremony is just one of several activities that occur over two or three days at a Pakistani or Indian wedding. Your foreign friends or family will surely hold a traditional ceremony honouring their ancestors' religion, most likely Muslim or Hindu. Many American-born couples will also want an Americanized wedding that seems and feels at ease.

A traditional pre-wedding event is the Mehndi ceremony (a female-only celebration of the bride that concentrates on applying ceremonial henna).

The couple will indicate which events you are invited to, but we recommend wearing wedding guest attire for at least these two.

Consider traditional wedding clothing from Pakistan or India.

If you need help in deciding what to wear as a visitor to a wedding, consider wearing traditional garb. For women, this covers any of the following:

A bright saree is a long, beautifully knotted cloth that covers one or both arms and is worn from shoulders to ankles. Extra fabric is often left loose during religious rites and can be used to cover your head.

A lehenga, unlike a saree, is another popular option. It is typically a two-piece dress with a crop top and a full skirt.

A sharara is a suit that comprises wide-leg, palazzo-style pants and a matching tunic top (sometimes called a Kurti or kurta). The outfit is typically embellished with embroidery, brocade motifs, and glittering beading.

Men can wear a long-sleeved tunic (Kurti) or a knee-length jacket (sherwani) with matching slacks.

Men's and women's clothing is offered in a wide range of patterns, prints, and vibrant colours. If you living in an area with a high concentration of Pakistani or Indian Americans, look for apparel at local Pakistani, Indian, or Nepalese marketplaces.

Please do not bother the bride or groom about their attire in any manner! If you are still deciding what to wear, try to negotiate this step on your own or seek help from a bridesmaid or other wedding party member because, believe us, they are overburdened with other tasks.

To show respect, dress in colour and cover your head.

Contrary to popular belief, avoid wearing white on your wedding day; it is associated with funerals in South Asia and India (not to mention that wearing white to someone else's wedding is never a good idea). Women should not wear red to show respect for the bride because it is the traditional colour for bridal gowns.

Cover up and Dress Mdestly.

Assume you are not dressed in traditional Pakistani or Indian attire. In that situation, your Western attire should be as modest as the traditional wedding guest attire, which covers the shoulders, legs, and sometimes the entire arm. Cleavage, short gowns, and revealing garments that cling to your body are examples of what not to wear as a guest at a Pakistani or Indian wedding. Guys should wear traditional suits or long-sleeved dress shirts and jeans.

Put yourself at ease.

This is especially important if you accompany the groom when deciding what to wear to the wedding.

You'll be on your feet because, during the barat, the groom rides into the wedding while his relatives and friends dance a processional to welcome the bride's side. You should ensure your attire isn't too restricting or too short of prohibiting you from sitting cross-legged for an extended period.

Wear Accessories with Confidence.

Even if you opt not to wear traditional Pakistani or Indian attire, bring out your best jewellery and body adornments—bling is an important aspect of Pakistani or Indian style. For women, this could include beaded handbags, extravagant earrings, bangle bracelets, bindis, and stickers worn between brows.


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