Here You Go - The Most Drool-Worthy Ideas When You're Looking For Dresses For An Indian Wedding

Indian weddings call for a pompous event, witnessing an array of cultural gigs and gatherings. The endless rituals, customs and a plethora of ceremonious functions that gather close relatives and friends from the entire gamut make it truly a celebration to cherish. This indeed makes the Indian wedding timeline a big fat and uber-glamourous affairs to attend.

Having said that, are you not wondering what to choose as dresses for an Indian wedding? Well, it’s not a tough nut to crack at all. From fancy finery that includes heavy bridal lehengas to fine nine yards of drapery, designer salwar kameez or floor-length Anarkalis, take inspiration from the Bollywood divas and slay at Indian weddings effortlessly.

From the classic red and luxe gold thread embroidered lehenga choli that every Indian bride dreamt of, the bridal trousseau has greatly transformed into the pastels reigning in and quirky floral motifs flooding in the Indian market recently.  Oh yes, that already gave us some major #BrideGoals.

We’re here to help you with the ethnic ensembles and traditional attires that will make you steal the limelight instantly. And if you are wondering why we have not covered the gentlemen, take a backseat and sigh with relief because we got you covered dapper men!

Here are the quintessential dresses for an Indian wedding as per the different functions you'd encounter at one:

1. Roka Ceremony

Once considered to be an underrated wedding ritual has now turned out to be a grand affair involving the close family relatives and well-wishers. The Roka ceremony is ought to be a brief introduction of the two families with a formal puja from both sides.

Thanks to Instagram for offering brides-to-be with a galore of dresses like sharara suit, palazzo pants with Kurti, cocktail saree, smart Indo-fusion separates et al.

Grooms can also keep it simple and suave with a coordinated sherwani, kurta pyjama, a three-piece suit or a tux.

Guests can have a variety of dressy options like saree, salwar suits, Anarkali suits or even Indo-fusion ensemble makes up for a pretty outfit selection for women while men may opt for sophisticated formal business suits, kurta pyjama or a classic contemporary sherwani too as ideal dresses for an Indian wedding.

Tip: Keep it simple and subtle for the Roka ceremony. Add a dash of colour or a statement jewellery piece to pop for the occasion, while balancing it out with a pastel-esque outfit.

2. Sagan or Engagement Ceremony

Up next is the much-awaited wedding ritual that calls for a firm unison of two families bringing together the bride-to-be and groom to exchange rings. According to the ritual, brothers of the bride bring several sweets, clothes, gifts for the groom and his family.

While the groom’s parents present a collection of bridal trousseaux comprising of bridal attire, vanity, jewellery etc. to welcome the new member in their family with warmth and love.

For a Sagan or engagement ceremony, it is advisable to go for traditional attire for both the bride-to-be and groom-to-be. Classic Banarasi or Kanjeevaram silk wedding saree, heavily embellished or Banarasi silk salwar suit/ Anarkali suit or floor-length Indo-fusion gowns are some of the best dresses for an Indian wedding.

For the groom, a three-piece formal party suit is a safe bet, however, if you want to spice things up a bit, you may go for an asymmetrical sherwani.

For guests, you may experiment across traditional with modern aesthetics. Women may combine elements of saree with a statement blouse, kurta paired with stellar brocade pants or a formal dress. Men may opt for a classic formal business suit or shirt with pants set.

3. Haldi Ceremony

Always go for the shopping spree keeping in mind the specific event. Indian weddings are one-of-kind that involves certain holy colours for specific events. For example: Yellow is mostly worn on Haldi ceremony while women prefer to stick with shades of green at the Mehndi ceremony.

Thematic dresses must be worn to an Indian wedding and Haldi calls out for a yellow fever bringing to the fore hues of yellow dresses like saree, salwar suit, Patiala salwar kurta, Anarkali suit, separates or coordinates, long dresses. Make sure you buy an inexpensive outfit for Haldi dresses are often donated later to the saints.

Guests may consider wearing yellow-coloured dresses for an Indian wedding.

4. Mehndi Ceremony

If you’re a fashion nova and love to follow the trends, embrace the pastels and floral embroidered attires to blend in with the debonair clan effortlessly. The Mehndi function offers an array of dresses for an Indian wedding with shades of green-hued outfits.

Minimal makeup with a pop of colour on your lips and you’re good to rock the stage. Floral, applique, Aari are some of the popular embroideries for women to embrace during Mehndi ceremony. Opt for light embroidered silhouettes and subtle designer wear.

If you’re a bridesmaid, look for fancy separates with big and bold motifs or go less dramatic with a classy Anarkali suit and drape a sheer net dupatta. Flowy maxi skirts with scintillating blouses that come with an array of trendy styles (bell sleeves, billowy sleeves) or just go classic with a light lehenga choli.  Because that never fails to make an impression😉

5. Wedding Day

For weddings, everything from heavily embroidered lehengas to designer sarees, intricately detailed Anarkali suits. You can go with a wide range of conventional styles, however, recently, women are opting for contemporary ethnic styles and adding their statement fusion to the Indian wear. For example: dhoti pants with a crop top, saree pants, lehenga blouse with a cape jacket etc. are also replacing the oh-so-passé trends and becoming the uber- gorgeous dresses for an Indian wedding.

For men, it’s always easy to strike a stylish spin with tailored fit kurta and going all-dapper with the experimental bottom wear. From dhoti pants to Jodhpuri trousers, slim fit trousers or the classic Patiala salwar, there is something in store for varying moods of the men.

6. Reception Party

Just when you wondered the wedding is done and dusted, it's soon to be followed by a reception party. Ladies flock in cocktail sarees, gowns, flattering drapes, Indo-Fusion ensembles. Brides generally opt to wear floor-length gowns, dramatic skirts with blouses sans dupatta, or a flattering dress. Such reception dresses for an Indian wedding are specially curated by boutiques or fashion houses.

Nehru jackets with a spin of quirk are seen everywhere. Read Virat Kohli here. The handsome captain complimented his cream coloured sherwani with a floral printed Nehru jacket on one of the wedding functions. How can we miss out on that?

Florals are making waves even in the men’s fashion segment and adding oodles of chivalry charm. Don’t believe us? Check out your favourite designers out there including the likes of Sabyasachi, Anita Dongre, Varun Bahl etc.

When everything else seems to be a viable option, a classic tux makes up for all the chaos. Men in a tux look no less than a sight to cherish. Slick back hair, tailored tux with a silk pocket square and that killer smirk, oh, we’re already drooling.

So, here you go with the best dresses to wear to an Indian wedding for both the men and women. Do let us know if you enjoyed reading this.

If you have some better ideas and styling tips, please use the comment section below to share your views.