For Indian women living abroad, a family wedding is always something to look forward to. But choosing Indian wedding guest dresses like a lehenga or salwar kameez needs a lot more planning. You have to think about the weather, the venue, and the number of functions. This is where a salwar kameez comes into the picture. It is one of the most practical Indian wedding dresses for guests, be it for a wedding in Jaipur or in New Jersey. It is easy to pack, and you don’t need anyone’s help to wear it. Cotton salwar suits work best for haldi and mehendi. For the sangeet, go for a sharara or an anarkali, and save your silk suit for the wedding day. So, let’s look at how to pick the right salwar kameez for wedding functions.
Light Cotton Salwar Suits for the Haldi and Mehendi
The haldi is usually a morning function, and it can get quite messy with all the turmeric paste. So the best salwar suit for haldi is a light cotton or chanderi suit that you can wash easily. Yellow and orange are the most popular colors, but peach also looks really fresh. A straight suit or a palazzo suit will keep you cool.
If the haldi is at a relative’s home in Toronto or London, a light shawl or a denim jacket is useful. A printed cotton suit is also a smart buy, as you can wear it again for Diwali gatherings back home.
For the mehendi, here’s what works well:
- Fabric: Go for easy fabrics with a little sparkle, like gota patti, block prints, or light mirror work.
- Fit: A relaxed fit is better for sitting on floor cushions.
- Sleeves: Short or three-quarter sleeves keep your henna from getting smudged.
Sharara and Anarkali Suits for the Sangeet Night
The sangeet is all about music and dancing at a wedding, and your salwar kameez needs to move with you. Sharara and anarkali suits give you almost the same flare as a lehenga, but they take up a lot less space in your suitcase. Here’s how to choose a salwar kameez for sangeet:
- Sharara Suits: The wide flared pants of a sharara suit look beautiful when you dance.
- Anarkali Suits: A floor-length anarkali suit in georgette gives you a pretty twirl and doesn’t crease much.
- Embellishments: Sequins, mirror work, and zari look very nice under the stage lights, especially in deep jewel tones.
Rich Silk Salwar Suits for the Wedding and Reception
The main ceremony is the time to wear your best silk suit. A raw silk or Banarasi salwar suit for wedding rituals looks very graceful with zari borders, in shades like bottle green, mustard, or gold. Just leave the bridal red for the bride.
Many ceremonies are held in a temple or gurdwara, where you may need to cover your head. So make sure your suit comes with a long dupatta. For a Punjabi wedding, a Patiala salwar kameez with a phulkari dupatta is a great choice.
While traveling, roll the suit in a soft garment bag instead of folding it, and keep it in your carry-on. Give it a quick steam at the hotel.
December mornings in Delhi and Punjab can be very cold, so a pashmina shawl will help. And for a wedding abroad, just wear a long coat over your salwar suit till you reach the hall.
For the reception, go a little more glamorous with a Pakistani suit in net or georgette with a long, embellished kameez. Or, to save luggage space, wear your sangeet salwar kameez again with a different dupatta.
Tips for Ordering Your Salwar Kameez From Abroad
International shipping can take time, so it is best to order at least a few weeks before the first function. This also gives you time for small alterations.
Indian sizes don’t always match US or UK sizes. Here are a few quick tips:
- Measure your bust, waist, and hips.
- Check them against the size chart on the product page, not your usual size.
- Refer to Mirraw’s Indian clothing size guide for NRIs to see how the sizes compare.
- Be extra careful with fitted anarkalis, as straight and palazzo suits are more forgiving.
When dressing up as an NRI wedding guest, a salwar kameez is one of the easiest Indian dresses to carry and style. Explore Mirraw’s salwar kameez for women for your next family wedding.
