Choosing Indian wedding attire for men in your
bridal party can be hard if you are unfamiliar with the culture and customs. With the help of your soon-to-be in-laws and fiancée, getting something you are comfortable in that fits with tradition can be easier.
Indian grooms in a Hindu ceremony wear a light colored jacket and turban.
Having a wedding ceremony that incorporates other cultural rituals in addition to conventional American wedding traditions is becoming more common than ever before. Likewise, some couples are even opting to
have two ceremonies, one
Indian ceremony and one traditional American ceremony, each honoring the other’s heritage. Whatever your choice, wearing garments from the culture is a way to honor your spouse’s background.
Traditional Men’s Indian Bridal Party Attire
The bridal party in Indian cultures, like most of American wedding parties, is often dressed more formally than guests. Although some men are choosing to wear a more traditional “western” three piece suit, they often save this for a reception and opt to don customary garb for their weddings. Just as the bride’s
Indian wedding dress is unique and special, so too should the groom’s attire.
Sherwani
A
Sherwani is a long coat-like jacket fastened with buttons. It comes to just below the knees, hitting somewhere high on the calf. The jacket has a Nehru collar, which is a collar that stands up (sometimes called a “mandarin” collar).
This jacket is often cream, light ivory, or gold colored for weddings, especially those in the morning. It can be embroidered with gold or silver. While traditionally light in color, the jackets can be worn in dark colors, like reds, blacks, or navy, typically later in the day. A scarf is sometimes added to the jacket over one or both shoulders.
The Sherwani is worn with tighter fitting pants or trousers called churidars. Churidars are trousers that are loose around the hips and thighs, but are tight and gathered around the ankle.
Jodhpuri
A
Jodhpuri suit is a majestic looking suit, sometimes referred to as a
“prince” suit. It has a western three-piece look, including coat, trousers, and possibly vest. The Nehru collar is often on the jacket and/or shirt worn with the suit.
This suit would be a perfect choice for
the groom in a bridal party. He could choose one with hand-stitched embroidery in silver, gold, or other color in an elegant design.
Kurta Pyjama
The
Kurta pyjama is a traditional dress of men in India. It features a loose fitting, collarless long shirt over a pants in a complementary or contrasting color. The style of the Kurta can be either formal or informal, depending on the fabric or embroidered design.
A veshti (dhoti) is a long, flowing skirt considered formal wear for men in India. The draping of the skirt depends on the region in which one is from. The Kurta is often worn with the veshti.