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What to expectSouth Asian weddings vary by community and faith. Here is what to expect at Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and South Indian weddings, and how to dress respectfully for each.
Quick answer
South Asian weddings vary by community. Hindu weddings are multi-day and colourful with a mandap ceremony; Sikh weddings centre on the Anand Karaj at the gurdwara, where you cover your head and dress modestly; Muslim weddings include the nikah and walima; and South Indian weddings favour silk sarees and gold. Dress festively and modestly for all of them.
Hindu weddings are typically multi-day and highly colourful, with events like the mehndi, sangeet and haldi leading up to a ceremony performed under a decorated canopy called a mandap, often around a sacred fire. Expect ritual, music and a lot of celebration.
What to wear: festive Indian attire in colour. Lehengas and sarees for women, kurta or sherwani for men. Avoid white, black and bridal red. You may be asked to cover your head for parts of the ceremony.
A Sikh wedding centres on the Anand Karaj, performed in a gurdwara (the place of worship). It is a serene, sacred ceremony with specific etiquette that guests should respect.
South Asian Muslim weddings often include the nikah (the marriage contract ceremony) and the walima (the celebratory reception hosted by the groom’s family), sometimes with a mehndi beforehand.
What to wear: elegant, modest festive wear. Anarkalis, shararas, ghararas, sarees and lehengas all suit, with sleeves and modest coverage appreciated. Men wear a kurta, sherwani or a sharp suit. As always, skip white, black and bridal red.
South Indian weddings (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayali and others) tend to be earlier in the day and rich in tradition, with silk and gold front and centre.
What to wear: a silk saree, such as a Kanjeevaram, is the classic choice for women, paired with traditional gold jewellery and jasmine flowers. Men often wear a silk kurta or a veshti. Colours run rich and warm.
Whatever the community, a few principles hold: dress in colour, lean festive and traditional, keep it modest (more so for religious ceremonies), and avoid white, black and bridal red. When a ceremony is held in a place of worship, expect to cover your head and remove your shoes.
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Dress modestly and cover your head inside the gurdwara, regardless of gender, so bring a scarf or dupatta. A salwar suit, saree or lehenga for women, or a kurta for men, works well. You will also remove your shoes and sit on the floor.
Elegant, modest festive wear such as an anarkali, sharara, gharara, saree or lehenga for women, with sleeves and modest coverage appreciated, and a kurta, sherwani or suit for men. Avoid white, black and bridal red.
A silk saree such as a Kanjeevaram with traditional gold jewellery is the classic choice for women, while men often wear a silk kurta or veshti. Colours tend to be rich and warm.
At Sikh ceremonies in a gurdwara, all guests cover their heads. At some Hindu and Muslim religious ceremonies you may also be asked to, so it is wise to carry a scarf or dupatta.
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