In this article
For a Marathi wedding, guests usually wear a silk saree or a light, festive kurta set in green, yellow, pink or peacock blue. The main ceremony is often held in the morning, so choose breathable fabrics like chanderi or cotton with a little embroidery, and keep heavy shine for the evening reception. You do not need a nauvari saree to look right.
This guide is for guests in the UK, US, Canada or Australia attending a Maharashtrian wedding for the first time, or anyone who wants a simpler option than a nine-yard drape.
By the Bahe Kurtiz styling team, Jaipur. Every piece is stitched in our own Jaipur unit, and our block prints are printed by hand by our karigars.
What do guests wear to a Marathi wedding?
At a traditional Marathi wedding, the bride usually wears a nauvari or Paithani saree with green glass bangles, and many women guests wear Paithani or other silk sarees. Men often wear a kurta with a pheta (turban) tied for them at the venue.
Kurta sets are very welcome, especially for guests who travel. What matters most is colour and occasion: the wedding is bright, auspicious and usually starts early, sometimes with a muhurat in the morning. A light, colourful outfit fits the mood far better than evening glitter.
A chanderi kurta set is the easiest swap for a silk saree. The coral pink chanderi kurta set with a hand-embroidered yoke and cutwork dupatta ($52) has a soft natural sheen that looks festive in daylight without feeling heavy.
Which colours suit a Maharashtrian wedding?
Green and yellow are closely linked with Marathi weddings. Green stands for new beginnings, which is why brides wear green bangles, and yellow comes from the haldi ceremony. Pinks, magenta, peacock blue and orange are also classic Paithani colours.
Colours to lean towards
Parrot green, bottle green, mustard, marigold, rani pink, coral and peacock blue.
Colours to skip
Many families see black as inauspicious at a wedding, so it is best avoided at the ceremony. Plain white is also a less common choice. If the bride's family has shared a colour theme, follow that first.
From our Jaipur studio: Chanderi is woven with a fine silk-cotton blend, so it feels cool on a warm morning yet holds embroidery neatly. Block-printed cotton breathes even better and is the most comfortable for a long seated ceremony, but it reads as more daytime-casual in photos, so add gold jewellery to lift it.
What can you wear if you don't own a nauvari saree?
Here are five easy options for guests, from most traditional to most relaxed.
Option 1: Chanderi kurta set
Closest to the feel of a silk saree. Pair the coral chanderi set with gold jhumkas and a small bindi for the muhurat.
Option 2: Embroidered kurti in bottle green
Green is the colour of the day. The bottle green embroidered kurti with side tie-up ($25), worn with off-white pants and a gold dupatta, is simple, respectful and travel-friendly.
Option 3: Block print kurta set with a hand-work yoke
A good pick for haldi or a home ceremony. The mint green hand block print kurta set with a hand-work yoke ($48) is soft cotton with a dressier neckline.
Option 4: Taffeta silk Anarkali for the reception
Marathi receptions are often in the evening at a hall or hotel. A green taffeta Anarkali keeps you in the wedding palette while adding shine.
Option 5: Borrow a nauvari, but practise first
If a relative offers a nauvari, practise walking and sitting in it before the day. It is beautiful, but takes getting used to.
Which outfit fits which function?
| Function | Time | Outfit | Fabric | Why it works | |---|---|---|---|---| | Haldi | Morning | Block print kurta set | Cotton | Washable and cool | | Muhurat and wedding | Morning or midday | Chanderi or embroidered kurta set | Chanderi, cotton | Light, festive, easy to sit in | | Reception | Evening | Taffeta silk Anarkali | Taffeta silk, organza | Shine for hall lighting |
For the reception, the sage green taffeta silk Anarkali with gota work and sequin organza dupatta ($52) keeps the green theme going while looking properly evening.
A small ritual tip
During the mangalashtak, guests throw akshata (rice grains) at the couple at the right moment. Keep your hands free, avoid a dupatta you have to keep holding, and pin it to one shoulder. Rice also gets caught in loose open hair, so a bun or braid is practical.
This season, soft greens and pinks with gold thread are a popular choice for daytime wedding guests.
Our pick for you
The coral chanderi set for the ceremony, the bottle green kurti if you want something simple and light, and the sage green Anarkali for the reception. Browse more ideas in our Indian wedding guest outfits.
Made-to-measure pieces take 5 to 7 working days to stitch and about 5 to 10 business days to arrive, so order at least 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding. Shipping is free to the USA, UK, Canada, UAE and Australia, with tracking. Import duties and taxes are included – we ship duties-paid, so there is nothing to pay on delivery.
Our free custom fit means you share your bust, waist, hip and height, and we stitch to your measurements at no extra cost.
A final etiquette note: Marathi weddings run to a precise auspicious time. Arrive early, dress light and bright, and let the bride's green and gold shine first.
Frequently asked questions
What colour should I wear to a Marathi wedding? Green, yellow, pink, coral and peacock blue are all lovely. They match the traditional Paithani palette and the mood of the day.
Can I wear black to a Maharashtrian wedding? It is best to avoid black at the ceremony, as many families see it as inauspicious. Check with the host for the evening reception.
Is it okay to wear a kurta set instead of a saree? Yes. Kurta sets are widely worn by guests, especially those travelling from abroad. Choose something colourful and festive.
How early should I order a custom outfit for a Marathi wedding? At least 3 to 4 weeks before. Stitching takes 5 to 7 working days and delivery about 5 to 10 business days.
If you would like help picking a green or pink that suits you, WhatsApp us and we will happily guide you.
.webp)
