Indian weddings are a riot of colors, clothes and cultural traditions. There is so much pomp and show with several events marking the wedding prep period and the big day itself. And while you might not be ready to get married anytime soon, it doesn’t hurt to know about all these little details that make up a typical Indian wedding. So here goes…The sartorially savvy men reading this post should buckle up for some useful pointers on what to wear when attending an Indian wedding. Because your attendance at such events is sure to increase sooner rather than later! If you have been invited to attend an Indian friend’s wedding, then you will need to know what type of clothing would be suitable as well as which accessories you can bring along in order to look your best on such a special occasion. After all, there are certain things that go beyond just being another social event – after all, it’s the union of two people who intend on spending the rest of their lives together. That being said let’s jump right in.
What is a Sherwani?
A Sherwani is an Indian men’s formal wear robe-like garment. It is usually worn as a wedding attire by grooms and even sometimes by the groom’s guests. In the Indian subcontinent, the Sherwani is usually made of silk or velvet. However, it is most popularly made with a cotton blend because of its affordability. The Sherwani usually features a Nehru collar, a fly front and a tapered fit. It’s sometimes decorated with a band of embroidery or a pattern along the collar. The Sherwani is traditionally paired with a Dhoti or pyjamas and a cummerbund or a vest. In the past, Sherwanis were made of pure silk fabrics – however, nowadays due to the cost-effectiveness and affordability, the Sherwani has become more of an everyday wear.
The Importance of a Sherwani in Indian Weddings
The Sherwani is, without a doubt, the most important garment for men at a traditional Indian wedding. The groom wears it during the wedding ceremony – as well as during the reception that often follows. The groom’s guests might wear it during the reception. However, the guests’ donning of the Sherwani is usually limited to when they are seated at the reception table. The groom, on the other hand, wears his Sherwani throughout the entire wedding ceremony and reception. The groom’s attire, which includes his Sherwani outfit, is always the focal point of the wedding ceremony. This is because he represents the groom, and he’s the one who walks down the aisle and participates in the rituals. The groom’s attire is usually chosen carefully by his parents and groomsmen. By tradition, the groom’s clothing is selected sometime before the wedding date. The groom’s attire can also be influenced by the type of ceremony that is taking place. For example, if it’s a wedding that involves a Hindu priest, then a traditional Indian groom’s garment is a Sherwani. If a Christian priest is officiating, then a lounge suit or a tuxedo is more appropriate.
Which Occasion Requires Which type of Sherwani?
A traditional Indian wedding is a very important event, and some of the most common clothing worn at such events include the Sherwani and the Ghagra. There are different types of Sherwani suits that can be worn depending on the occasion. Some of the typical Sherwani styles that you might see at weddings include:
– The Traditional Sherwani: This is the classic groom attire that is often worn at traditional Indo-Western weddings. The Traditional Sherwani, as the name suggests, is the most common and traditional wedding outfit for grooms. It is usually made of rich silk fabric with a Nehru collar.
– The Semi-Formal Sherwani: The Semi-Formal Sherwani is perfect for the groom who wants to stand out at the wedding, but doesn’t want to wear the traditional outfit. It’s a bit more adventurous and stylish compared to the Traditional Sherwani.
– The Informal Sherwani: The Informal Sherwani is a great outfit for the groom who doesn’t want to wear the traditional outfit for whatever reason. If a groom is marrying a non-Indian woman, for instance, he can wear this outfit.
Wrapping Up
The Sherwani is the most important dress for a groom at an Indian wedding. It is traditionally worn by grooms during the wedding ceremony and reception. It is also the outfit of choice for the groom’s guests at the reception. The Sherwani is usually made with silk fabric or a cotton blend. It features a Nehru collar, a fly front, and a tapered fit. The outfit is usually worn with a dhoti and a cummerbund. The Sherwani is an important part of any wedding attire. And while it can be worn by groom and his guests at an Indian wedding, there are different types of Sherwani styles that can be worn depending on the occasion.