Indian Wedding Colour Guide: What to Wear & What to Avoid
Pick the wedding community and the function. Get the colours to wear, colours to avoid and a fabric tip – for Punjabi, Gujarati, Bengali, South Indian, Marathi, Rajasthani, Sikh and Muslim weddings.
Traditions vary by family and region – this is a friendly guide, not a rule book. When unsure, ask the hosts.
Community guides in detail
- Punjabi wedding guest guide
- Gujarati wedding guest guide
- Bengali wedding guest guide
- South Indian wedding guest guide
- Sikh wedding guest guide
- Nikah & Walima guest guide
Frequently asked questions
What colour should you not wear to an Indian wedding?
Avoid head-to-toe bridal red. At many Hindu ceremonies, avoid all-white and all-black too. Bengali families often avoid plain white, and Muslim and Sikh ceremonies need modest, covered outfits.
Can I wear black to an Indian wedding?
Black is often fine at a sangeet or reception for modern families, but avoid it at the main ceremony unless the hosts say it's okay.
What should I wear to a haldi ceremony?
Yellow or mustard in washable cotton – turmeric paste may be applied or splashed.
Is green good for a mehendi?
Yes – green, mint and bright florals are the classic mehendi colours.