What to wear for Yash & Sonia’s wedding
Hello everyone! A few of you have been asking us what to wear for our wedding - so we put together a guide with suggestions of what to wear for each event.
Of course, what’s most important to us is that you’re comfortable and enjoying yourself at all events, so you are more than welcome to wear anything you like - these are just suggestions for those of you interested in dressing to a “theme”.
We’ve also included a general guide on what to wear to Indian weddings which you can use for any Indian wedding.
All events are set in the lawns, so please choose your footwear wisely—think stylish yet lawn-friendly.
Recommended attire by event
Feb 6th - 5:30 PM - Cocktail Evening
Suggested guest dress code: Resort glam / cocktail wear – cocktail attire with flowing fabrics, vibrant colors and/or bold prints – perfect for an evening by the sea!
Feb 7th - 9 AM - Gruha pooja (optional event – family religious ceremony)
Suggested guest dress code: Traditional semi-formal, Indian encouraged
Feb 7th - 12 PM - Pool party
Suggested guest dress code: Pool party chic in ivory with bright prints or bright candy colors (hot pink, mustard, orange, bright green, blue, purple). Don’t forget to wear your swimwear underneath and bring sunscreen!
Feb 7th - 5:30 PM - Sundowner & Sangeet
Suggested guest dress code: Dance-friendly Indian formal wear for women (lehengas or Indo-western styles) in ivory, black, or dark jewel tones (dark purple, green, blue, maroon). Blue or black Indo-western wear, suits or Indian wear for men
Feb 8th - 9 AM - Gujarati carnival
Suggested guest dress code: Light, daytime Indian semi-formals or Indo-western styles in ivory and shades of yellow with pops of pink. Get ready to dance!
Feb 8th - 5:30 PM - Wedding & reception
Suggested guest dress code: Pastels in elegant Indian or Western formals
Feb 8th - Post 10 PM – After party
Suggested guest dress code: Bring your festival / bohemian best - Burning man or Coachella wear both welcome
FAQs
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The dress code is just a suggestion! The most important thing is that you’re comfortable and having fun at each event.
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The weather in February in Goa can range from a low of 21 C / 70 F with a sea breeze at night and a high of 32 Celsius / 90 F during the day. The daytime will be sunny, so bring your sunglasses, sunscreen and hats!
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You are welcome to dance barefoot or in any footwear which is comfortable for you.
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The wedding, sangeet and Gujurati carnivals are traditional family occasions where there will be dancing - we would love you to dress so that you feel comfortable participating, especially in the warm daytime weather.
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If you are coming to India a few days before the wedding, Yash & Sonia can recommend where you can find Indian wear in the cities where you are staying.
If you are planning to buy your Indian wedding wear in the US, here’s some recommended places to buy wedding wear at different budgets:
https://theloom.in
A guide for what to wear to Indian weddings
For those of you who are interested, we put together a guide on different Indian outfits styles and which types of outfits to wear to what occasion. This is a generic guide which you can use for future Indian events as well! (Just make sure to save it :))
Recommended Indian men’s outfits for Yash & Sonia’s wedding events
Sangeet: Bandhgala, Indo-Western Suit or Nehru Jacket with Kurta
Mehendi/Haldi/Carnival: Kurta Pyjama
Main Wedding Ceremony & Reception: Sherwani or Bandhgala or Nehru Jacket with Kurta
Types of Indian outfits for men
Sherwani
Description
A long, coat-like garment that fits close to the body and usually worn with churidar (tightly fitting trousers) or salwar (looser pants). Sherwanis are often intricately embroidered or adorned with embellishments.
Occasions
The sherwani is a very common choice for the groom and groomsmen, especially for the main wedding ceremony. It is considered one of the most formal outfits and is also appropriate for wedding receptions.
Our suggestion
In case you don’t attend many Indian weddings, it may not make sense for you to invest in a Sherwani. You rather get a Bandhgala that’s basically a shorter version of a Sherwani, much more comfortable and more usable for future occasions.
Bandhgala (Indian Jodhpuri Suit)
Description
A tailored, high-collared jacket that is typically worn with trousers. It’s a fusion of Western and Indian styles, giving a sleek and formal look.
Occasions
The Bandhgala suit is often worn during the reception or more formal events like sangeet (pre-wedding music and dance party) or cocktail parties. It’s a sophisticated choice for anyone attending the wedding.
Our suggestion
If you’re trying to wear Indian garb, this is a great choice for the Wedding, Reception and the Sangeet events.
Kurta Pyjama
Description
A knee-length tunic (kurta) paired with loose-fitting pants (pyjama). Kurtas can be simple or heavily embroidered, depending on the occasion.
Occasions
This is a versatile outfit for men and can be worn for various wedding functions like mehendi or the more casual, daytime pre-wedding events.
Our suggestion
This is a classic and totally worth getting! Ideal for our Haldi/ Mehndi Carnival.
Kurta Pyjama with Sleeveless Jacket (Nehru Jacket)
Description
The Nehru jacket is a sleeveless jacket with a high collar, worn over a simple kurta pyjama. It adds a layer of formality to the otherwise casual kurta.
Occasions
This is often worn for semi-formal events like Sangeet or Mehendi and is popular for guests who want to be well-dressed without going over the top.
Recommended Indian women’s outfits for Yash & Sonia’s wedding events
Sangeet: Lehenga, Sharara, Anarkali, or Pre-Draped Sari (for a modern look). These outfits are great for dancing and celebrating.
Carnival / Haldi / Mehendi Ceremony: Sharara, Anarkali, Churidar/Salwar Kameez, as these are lighter and more comfortable for a daytime function
Wedding / reception: Lehenga, Sari, Anarkali, or Pre-Draped Sari for a formal look
Types of Indian outfits for women
Lehenga (Lehenga Choli)
Description
A lehenga is a formal, long, flared skirt paired with a choli (a fitted blouse) and a dupatta (scarf). Lehengas are often heavily embroidered, making them perfect for weddings.
Occasions
Lehengas are the typical outfit of choice for a sangeet and wedding.
Sari (Saree)
Description
A sari is a long, unstitched fabric (usually 5-9 yards) draped elegantly around the body, typically paired with a blouse (choli) and a petticoat. Saris come in a wide range of materials, colors, and embellishments.
Occasions
The sari is timeless and versatile and can be worn at any function. Heavier, more embellished saris are usually reserved for the wedding. Saris can be challenging to drape and wear (especially while dancing) so we will have professional drapers to assist guests at the wedding.
Pre-Draped Sari
Description
Pre-draped saris where the folds are already stitched into the sari are becoming more popular in the last few years. Typically, pre-draped saris come with a fitted blouse and a skirt with a piece of fabric which drapes easily across the body. Pre-draped saris make it easy for anyone to have the formal look of a sari.
Occasions
This modern twist on the sari is great for the sangeet or the wedding, where a more contemporary look is desired.
Sharara
Description
A semi-formal / formal sharara consists of wide-legged pants that resemble a skirt but are split, paired with a short kurti (tunic) and a dupatta. The pants have a unique flared look and are often heavily embellished. Ghararas are similar to a sharara, but with more structure around the knee, creating a bell-bottom effect. It’s worn with a short kurti and a dupatta.
Occasions
This outfit is trendy for functions like the sangeet or a Haldi/Mehendi/Carnival event. It’s elegant and allows for freedom of movement, making it great for dancing.
Anarkali
Description
A semi-formal / formal anarkali suit features a long, gown-style top paired with fitted pants (Churidar). The top flares out below the waist and can be simple or intricately designed.
Occasions
Anarkalis are often worn for functions like sangeet or Mehendi/Haldi/Carnival. Heavier versions are also appropriate for the wedding ceremony or reception.
Churidar/Salwar Kameez
Description
A semi-formal / formal anarkali suit features a long, gown-style top paired with fitted pants (Churidar). The top flares out below the waist and can be simple or intricately designed.
Occasions
Anarkalis are often worn for functions like sangeet or Mehendi/Haldi/Carnival. Heavier versions are also appropriate for the wedding ceremony or reception.
