Here’s How To Style Traditional Indian Wear For Winter Weddings - HELLO! India (2024)

FAQs

What should an American wear to an Indian wedding? ›

Indian weddings are known for their bright and vibrant colors, so don't be afraid to add some color to your outfit. While white and black are generally avoided as they are associated with mourning, you can explore a wide spectrum of hues to find a shade that complements your complexion and personal style.

Winter weddings are likely to take place indoors, so you'll want to choose an outfit that's just warm enough once you take off your coat. A dress with sleeves, a maxi dress, or even a fancy jumpsuit are great ways to dress for the occasion. Take advantage of fabrics that look stylish while keeping you warm.

Follow a deep, rich color palette.

Black and navy appropriate for winter weddings, but so are jewel tones, such as sapphire, ruby, garnet, emerald, citrine, or amethyst. Metallic tones such as gold, silver, and bronze, also work well for winter weddings.

I understand this might be overwhelming, so the general advice I'd give to wedding guests at Indian weddings is to avoid wearing the following colours at religious events: White (mourning), black (inauspicious) and red (bridal).

Unlike Western weddings, you won't often see an Indian bride wearing white as it symbolizes mourning. Red is the traditional color of a bride's ceremonial attire, but she may also choose to wear: Gold.

Winter Season in India

Winter in India typically spans from November to February, bringing cooler temperatures and pleasant weather across the country. Northern regions experience chilly temperatures, with snowfall occurring in mountainous areas like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Those strappy, open toe heels may not be the best choice for a winter wedding so explore your options. Pointed, rounded and closed-toe footwear or some stylish boots will be your best bet. Whatever you choose, make sure they're comfortable, walking in heels in the snow can be a real challenge!

Thicker fabrics, billowing sleeves and higher necklines will all balance out bare legs, and there are always good old tights should you need more layering.

Winter florals

Florals have always been a fail-safe option for weddings; there's something beautifully romantic about nature-inspired prints and, with the right styling, they needn't be the preserve of summer nuptials.

What color wedding dress for winter? ›

Think classic colors like ivory or white for that timeless vibe. Or, go for richer hues like burgundy or navy blue to match the cozy winter feel!

The color black isn't limited to a certain time of the year, but it usually makes more sense to sport the shade at a fall or winter wedding since it matches the dark, moody weather.

Typically, the perfect colours for a wedding at this time of year are more toned down and darker compared to summer, using tones such as red, green, gold, black, blue, purple and berry. Purple – a Royal colour associated with Advent which makes it a perfect colour for a Winter wedding.

Given the celebratory nature of Indian weddings, bright hues are encouraged—though some are traditionally off-limits. "Guests should try to avoid wearing red, since the bride typically wears red," explains Nilima Patel, owner of Crimson Bleu Events.

Men can wear Western-style suits or tuxedos, ensuring that they are well-fitted and complement their overall look. It's best to avoid wearing white, red (the color traditionally associated with the bride), and black (associated with mourning) at any wedding event.

Radiant Red

The color red symbolizes love, passion, and joy in Indian culture and is the most preferred color by the bride. It is seen as a beautiful color to celebrate the union of two hearts and is believed to bring good luck and fortune.

Like most modern American weddings, how much money you give depends on what you can afford and your relationship with the couple. But at Indian weddings, it's traditional to give in denominations of 1. So, if you were planning a gift of $200, make it $201.