What Should an American Wear to an Indian Wedding?

Showing up to an Indian wedding in jeans and a T-shirt? Instant regret. These celebrations aren’t your typical American weddings—the colors, the music, the grand entrances, the food, and, oh yes, the dress code make them unforgettable. So if you’ve got an invite and have no idea what to wear, you’re not alone.

The first thing to know: Indians go big with fashion at weddings. You can’t really overdress. Wearing bold colors, embroidery, and a bit of bling is actually encouraged. Even for Americans, you’re expected to look like you put in effort. The only colors to avoid? Solid white (which is for mourning), straight black (considered unlucky at weddings), and anything super revealing—that goes for both guys and girls.

If you’re thinking, “I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard,” relax. Most people love when guests embrace the tradition, even if you mess up a little. The intention matters more than perfection. Plus, most guests will be happy to explain the difference between a kurta and a sherwani if you’re lost.

• Understanding the Vibe: What Makes Indian Weddings Unique?
• Picking Outfits: Men’s and Women’s Choices
• Dos and Don’ts: Common Mistakes Guests Make
• Where to Get Indian Wedding Attire in the US

Understanding the Vibe: What Makes Indian Weddings Unique?

If you’ve only been to American weddings, an Indian wedding will feel like someone turned the volume up—all the way. These events often last for days. There’s more dancing, more food, more color, and honestly, way more fun.

Let’s get specific. Indian weddings usually have several events: the Mehendi (henna and chill), Sangeet (dance party), the wedding ceremony, and the reception. Each is a legit excuse to dress up. Some families squeeze it all into a weekend. Others stretch it to a whole week. You don’t have to attend every event, but if you do, plan for a new look at each one.

When it comes to dress code, Indian weddings expect more flash. The goal isn’t just to look nice—guests want to stand out for the right reasons. Colors are everywhere. Family and friends go all out, so if you show up ‘safe,’ you’ll stick out—in a boring way.

• Don’t show up in pure white, unless you want confused looks. It’s linked to funerals in India.
• Black isn’t a popular wedding color either. It’s seen as unlucky for big celebrations.
• Bright, bold colors or jewel tones? Go for it. Think deep red, gold, royal blue, emerald green, or hot pink.
• Glitter, sequins, embroidery, or traditional prints are all totally fair game.

Food is a big part of the wedding, but so is hospitality. If anyone offers you something or invites you to join a group, say yes. Indian weddings usually have hundreds of guests. The biggest ones can hit over 1,000 people! Everyone is expected to join the party—shy doesn’t really fly here.

Got a thing for numbers? Here’s how Indian weddings compare to what you might be used to:

So, when you think about what to wear, know this: it’s not just about the clothes. It’s about matching the energy, blending in with the vibe, and showing that you came to celebrate, not just observe.

Picking Outfits: Men’s and Women’s Choices

If you want to actually fit in at an Indian wedding, ignore the basic blazer or little black dress. There are classic picks that everyone goes for, and you don’t have to break the bank or feel out of place. The easiest hack? Stick to traditional Indian outfits. You don’t need something custom-made—there are rental and ready-to-wear options out there.

For men, the go-to choice is a kurta. This is a long tunic worn with fitted pants called churidar or with slightly looser pajama-style bottoms. You can throw a Nehru jacket on top if you want to look a bit more dressed up, especially for the main wedding day or big evening event. If you want to keep things really festive, go for a sherwani—think of it as an Indian version of a snazzy suit jacket, but longer and often pretty ornate. Add a scarf (dupatta) for bonus points, especially if you’re in a wedding party or standing up front. Cheap polyester kurtas can look flimsy, so try to find one in silk, cotton, or a blend. And definitely wear nice shoes—loafers or dress shoes work great since sneakers will just look off.

For women, your safest bets are sarees, lehenga cholis, or salwar suits. A saree is a single long piece of fabric you drape over a fitted blouse and petticoat. If you’re a beginner, go for a ready-pleated saree or get someone to help wrap it. Lehenga cholis are skirts with a matching top and scarf—easier to move in and pretty forgiving if you aren’t used to Indian clothes. Salwar suits, which are tunics with loose pants and a scarf, are comfy and look great for almost any wedding function. All of these come in every color combo under the sun but remember: brights and jewel tones are expected. Don’t pick a white or black outfit. Gold, deep red, navy, green, and royal blue will all fit in perfectly. And don’t be shy about sequins, embroidery, or bold prints.

If you’re going to multiple events (like mehndi, sangeet, and wedding day), you can repeat a base outfit and just switch up the scarf, jewelry, or jacket to create a whole new look each night. And yes, jewelry is part of the package—especially for women. Even simple Indian earrings or bangles go a long way in making your look genuine. Guys can try a brooch or a simple necklace for the main day if they’re feeling it.

If you’re stuck on sizes or don’t know where to shop, online stores like Utsav Fashion or local Indian boutiques usually carry great options for every budget. Rental places have popped up in cities like New York, LA, and Houston, so you don’t have to splurge if you’re only wearing these once. The main thing? Show up in something that says you’re excited to be there and that you cared enough to dress up for the occasion. That’s the vibe every Indian wedding host is hoping for when they put “festive attire required” on the invite.

If you search for ideas using the phrase Indian wedding dress code, you’ll find loads of style inspiration plus tutorials on how to tie sarees, when to wear lehengas, and how to match colors for each wedding event. There’s no one-size-fits-all rule, but a little research goes a long way.

Dos and Don’ts: Common Mistakes Guests Make

People often panic about what to wear to an Indian wedding, but most mistakes are easy to avoid if you know the basics. The dress code isn’t just about looking good—it shows respect for the hosts and their traditions. So, here’s what trips up guests the most and how not to end up in a cringe photo.

• Don’t wear all white or solid black. White is tied to funerals in India, and black is avoided at weddings because of its bad-luck vibe. Go for bright, eye-catching colors or softer pastels if you don’t want to draw too much attention.
• Don’t show too much skin. Mini dresses, super short sleeves, or plunging necklines can make everyone uncomfortable—especially the older relatives. For women, aim for knee-length or longer and cover your shoulders. For men, a short-sleeved shirt is fine but avoid tank tops.
• Don’t mistake casual for comfortable. Save jeans, shorts, and sneakers for movie night. Even "casual" wedding events like the mehendi or sangeet call for smart ethnic or semi-formal wear.
• Don’t overdo it on jewelry if you’re a guy. Yes, Indian weddings are flashy, but if you show up wearing six rings and a giant gold chain, you’re trying too hard. A classy watch or a simple bracelet does the trick.
• Don’t forget about shoes. Lots of events mean taking your shoes off, especially if it’s in a home or at the temple. Choose slip-ons or shoes that are easy to remove—not boots with complex laces.
• Don’t stress about wearing traditional Indian attire perfectly. Messing up how to wrap a saree or tie a dupatta won’t offend anyone. If in doubt, ask or look up a YouTube video before you go.
• Do ask the hosts for advice. They want you to feel comfortable and will be happy to see your effort.
• Do embrace color and patterns. Indian weddings love bold choices—shy away from plain whites, blacks, or anything too muted for the main events.
• Do keep comfort in mind. Some ceremonies last for hours, and there will be tons of food and dancing. Pick outfits you can actually move and eat in.

Quick numbers? Most Indian weddings run for 2-3 days and can include up to five separate events. Want to know when it's okay to go casual vs. full-on formal? Here’s a simple breakdown of some typical events and the expected dress code:

The more you try, the more you’ll enjoy the experience, and nobody expects you to get it perfect your first time.

Where to Get Indian Wedding Attire in the US

Finding Indian wedding clothes in the US is surprisingly easy these days. You don’t have to book a ticket to Delhi. Major cities with big Indian communities—like New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area—have plenty of stores loaded with Indian wedding dress code options. In fact, Edison, NJ and Artesia, CA are packed with entire shopping streets dedicated to South Asian fashion.

If you want to try things on in-person, just Google “Indian clothing store near me” and add your city’s name. You’ll probably find shops selling saris, lehengas, sherwanis, kurtas, and even accessories if you want to go all-in. Expect to spend anywhere from $75 to $500+ depending how fancy you go. Some places rent out outfits, which is clutch if you don’t see yourself wearing that sherwani again.

If you’d rather shop online (or you’re running late and need fast shipping), here are some popular sites:

• Utsav Fashion: Ships directly from India but delivers quick. Tons of reviews, lots of sizing info, and both men’s and women’s options.
• CBazaar: Well known for huge variety, including outfits for different wedding events.
• Raasthe Global Desi: Focuses on more modern styles, easier to blend in for Americans. Ships fast in the US.
• Amazon: Yep, even Amazon has sherwanis, kurtas, and sari sets with Prime shipping. Just check reviews for sizing and fabric quality.
• Rent the Runway: For women, they offer a solid selection of lehengas and fusion outfits to rent for a few days.

Not sure what you’ll get for your money? Here’s a quick look:

If you’re shopping last-minute, mention the wedding date when you buy or rent—most stores can speed up tailoring or shipping if you ask. When in doubt about sizing or style, send the shop a photo of the invite or ask what’s best for a guest. Most staff know exactly what works for Americans heading to their first big fat Indian wedding.