What to wear to an Indian wedding in Australia
If you've been invited to an Indian wedding and you're wondering what to wear, you're in good company. It's the question we hear most at Chari Clothing. Indian weddings come with their own dress codes, colour expectations, and cultural traditions that might be new to you. This guide breaks it all down so you can show up looking the part.
Indian wedding dress code: what guests are expected to wear
Indian weddings lean traditional when it comes to attire. For women, the go-to options are a saree or a lehenga. For men, a kurta-pajama or sherwani works well. If you're attending an Indian wedding in Australia, a lehenga or saree is a safe bet for women guests. Both are appropriate for pretty much any ceremony or reception.
Choose your fabric based on the venue
The setting matters when picking your Indian wedding guest outfit.
- Outdoor or summer wedding — Go with lightweight fabrics like cotton, chiffon, or georgette. They're breathable and won't leave you overheating during a long ceremony.
- Indoor or evening wedding — Silk or velvet will feel more formal and suit the occasion better.
Colour guide for Indian wedding guests
Indian weddings are vibrant. You're encouraged to dress in bold colours: reds, oranges, pinks, greens, golds. Pick something that suits your skin tone and feels like you.
The one colour to avoid: white. In South Asian culture, white is traditionally associated with mourning, so it's best to steer clear.
Accessories for Indian wedding outfits
- Women — Jewellery makes the outfit. Statement necklaces, earrings, and bangles are standard. We rent matching jewellery sets designed to pair with our lehengas and sarees, so you don't have to source them separately.
- Men — A turban, brooch, or pocket square can pull the whole look together.
Not sure what to wear? We can help
If you're still unsure about what to wear to an Indian wedding, get in touch. We help people choose outfits for Indian weddings every week. Let us know the event type, your size, and your budget, and we'll point you in the right direction.
- Browse lehengas and sarees
- Book a fitting in Sydney
- See what other guests wore on our customer images page
Why rent an Indian wedding outfit instead of buying
Most people wear Indian wedding attire once, maybe twice. Renting is the practical option. You get a quality outfit from $50, we take care of the dry cleaning, and you skip the $300+ purchase that ends up collecting dust in your wardrobe.
We ship Australia-wide with express delivery to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.