A guest’s guide to attending an Indian wedding

Which events you are invited to

An Indian wedding is usually several events over a few days, and not every guest is invited to all of them. Your invitation, or the couple’s website, will list your events. See Indian wedding events explained for what happens at each.

What to wear

• Colour is welcome. Bright, festive outfits fit right in.
• Indian outfits are appreciated, not expected. Sarees, lehengas, anarkalis and kurtas can be bought or rented, and friends of the couple are often happy to help.
• Avoid all white and all black unless the couple asks for them, and check whether you should avoid red, which is often the bride’s colour.
• Follow each event’s dress code: yellow for the Haldi, festive for the Sangeet, formal for the Reception.
• Wear shoes you can slip off: you may remove them near the mandap or at a temple.

Gifts

Cash or a cheque in a card is the most common gift. Many families consider amounts ending in 1, such as $101, $151 or $251, auspicious. If the couple has a registry or a cash fund, it will be on their website.

Etiquette worth knowing

• Events often start later than the time on the invitation, but do not count on it for the ceremony.
• You can usually come and go quietly during a long ceremony.
• At a Sikh wedding in a Gurdwara, everyone covers their head; scarves are usually provided.
• Many events serve vegetarian food, and some ceremonies are alcohol-free.
• Join the Baraat if you are on the groom’s side. Nobody minds if you cannot dance.
• Ask before posting photos, especially if the couple asked for an unplugged ceremony.

On the day

If the couple is using Pyaar & Prema, you will find your invitation on their website with your phone number, RSVP for each event there, and on the day scan the QR code at the entrance to find your seat and the timeline. Planning a wedding of your own one day? Start with our planning checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Tools for this

• Wedding websiteOne website for every event, each with its own page, dress code, timeline and RSVP.See how it works →
• Seating chartSeating charts for every event, with a QR code guests scan to find their table.See how it works →
• RSVPsCollect RSVPs per event, with your own questions, for every function of the wedding.See how it works →