Men's Indian Wedding Attire: A Breakdown of Different Styles

Indian weddings are full of tradition, history, and pomp and circumstance; there are many rites and rituals that go into the wedding itself, plus two to three days of lead-up events. What the couple wears plays a large part in the ceremony of it all, and men's Indian wedding attire dates back ages and ages.

Today, however, grooms and their wedding guests are introducing more modern takes on formal attire, infusing color and adding their own personality through accessories and unique silhouettes. Whether traditional or modern, though, Indian wedding attire is nothing if not statement-making.

We spoke with Brinda Patel—the founder, CEO and curator of Indian weddingwear rental company Marigold—to help break it down. Here, we'll outline the most common types of Indian men's wedding attire, make suggestions for where to shop and more.

In this article: What Is Men's Indian Wedding Attire | Types | Groom Attire | Where to Buy

What Is Men's Indian Wedding Attire

From the most formal sherwani to the more casual kurta suit, Indian wedding attire is rooted in tradition. "Traditional Indian menswear has always been about royalty and grandeur," Patel says. "Sherwanis and turbans were historically worn by kings and nobles. The symbolism is tied to prosperity, strength and starting married life in auspicious colors and fabrics. That said, today's grooms are absolutely putting their own spin on things." They're opting for pastel sherwanis over classic cream and gold, wearing vibrantly printed kurtas and even mixing sneakers with traditional looks, she notes. "Fashion purists might gasp, but honestly, Indian fashion has always evolved—it's part of the tradition to keep reinventing it!"

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Types of Men's Indian Wedding Attire

Male guests and grooms have a few options when it comes to attire for the sangeet, baraat, ceremony and reception. Outfits can be dictated by the formality of the event and the level of tradition. "India is so diverse, and the outfits for brides and grooms reflect that diversity," Patel says. Here are a few of the most common Indian menswear styles.

Sherwani

Photo: Anastasiia Photography

What it is: "A sherwani is a long, regal coat-like garment that is often intricately embroidered," Patel explains. "It's paired with narrow pants or dhoti-style bottoms, and topped off with a safa (turban), and sometimes a dupatta or stole draped across the shoulder."

Who wears it: Grooms almost always opt for a sherwani; guests can also wear sherwanis if the occasion is formal. "Traditional South Indian groom outfits include a veshti—a silk dhoti—and a silk shirt or kurta," Patel adds. "India is very diverse, and it's important to note that the specific attire can vary depending on the region the groom is from."

When to wear it: The wedding ceremony is the most important moment. Sherwanis are considered the most formal option, and so they are also the most common choice for Indian grooms at the ceremony.

Kurta

Photo: Kalki Fashion

What it is: A kurta is a pajama-like tunic shirt paired with slim trousers. "It's festive, fun and gives the groom freedom to bust out some dance moves," Patel says. The look is more casual than the formal sherwani, but still traditional.

Who wears it: The groom and his wedding party might wear coordinating kurtas for the sangeet; the groomsmen might also wear kurtas for the ceremony while the groom is in a more formal sherwani.

When to wear it: "The sangeet is usually held the evening before the wedding day, and is all about music, dance and celebration," Patel says, adding that a kurta is the perfect choice for this event. "Grooms usually lean into outfits that are stylish but comfortable enough to move in; think of it as the 'fashion runway meets dance floor' moment. Since it is an evening event, jewel tones, black and other darker colors are preferred, and sequin or mirror work often adorns the outfits."

Jodhpuri Suit

Photo: Kynah

What it is: "The Jodhpuri suit, also called a bandhgala, is like the Indian cousin of the Western suit," Patel says. "It's a tailored, high-collared jacket worn with trousers, and it exudes elegance with a touch of royal swagger. Think James Bond, but if he grew up in Rajasthan."

Who wears it: A groom might wear this type of attire to the reception, though not the ceremony. Wedding guests can wear it for both occasions, especially if they're aiming for a look that blends Eastern and Western themes without going fully traditional.

When to wear it: "Grooms usually wear a Jodhpuri suit for receptions, cocktail nights or formal occasions when they want something sharp and structured but still rooted in Indian design," Patel says. They might change into a Jodhpuri suit after wearing a more traditional sherwani for the ceremony.

Indian Wedding Attire for the Groom

We've outlined some of the specific outfits and silhouettes grooms and Indian wedding guests have to choose from, but planning an outfit for an Indian wedding goes much further than just picking clothing pieces. There are auspicious colors to consider, regional differences to take into account, accessories and, of course, adding an element of your own personal style. Here are four things to think about before locking in your look.

Colors

Photo: Ivy Weddings

Compared to Western weddings, Indian wedding colors are far less limited; rather, Indian grooms get to have fun with vibrant hues. "Color plays a big role [in attire]," Patel says. "Traditionally, shades of gold, cream, ivory, maroon and red are considered auspicious. But modern grooms are having fun with jewel tones like emerald or purple, or pastels like pink or mint."

Modern Vs. Traditional

Photo: MC Weddings

While many grooms keep to Indian wedding tradition for the ceremony itself, more and more are mixing it up later in the day. "The reception is where grooms really get to experiment," Patel says. "Many choose a sleek tuxedo or suit for a modern look, but Indian attire still makes an appearance, often in the form of a stylish Jodhpuri suit or a contemporary bandhgala jacket. The vibe is 'debonair meets desi,' and the reception is the perfect time to show off personal style without the weight of tradition dictating every detail."

Coordination

Photo: SMS Photography

Many grooms coordinate their kanyadaan and ceremony attire with the bride. "Sometimes it's subtle—a matching pocket square or stole—and sometimes bold, with his sherwani literally designed to complement her lehenga," Patel says. "The key is balance; together, the couple should look like a masterpiece without being too matchy-matchy."

Accessories

Photo: Scarlet Oak Studio

As with any look, accessories are the cherry on top of Indian wedding attire for men, and grooms have a lot to choose from. "Most will opt for a safa (turban), often adorned with a sarpech or brooch for a princely look," Patel explains. "Stoles or dupattas add flair, and traditional footwear like mojris or jutis completes the look." There is jewelry, too. "For extra regal energy, some grooms add layered pearl or gemstone necklaces, while others opt for the ceremonial sword known as the kirpan." And, much like with the outfits themselves, there are subtle regional differences when it comes to accessories, as well. "In the east Indian state of Bengal, grooms will often wear an ornate shawl and topor crown, while in the south, they will adorn themselves with a gold chain and a silk stole called angavastram," Patel says. "Think of accessories as the secret spice mix: They take the outfit from good to unforgettable."

Where to Buy Indian Wedding Attire for Men

Whether you're shopping for the sangeet or ceremony, and whether you're the groom or a guest, Indian wedding attire has very specific requirements and specifications and should be sourced from retailers in the know. We rounded up a handful of choices across the budget board, from high-end couture to rentable options.

• Marigold: Based in California, this Asian- and woman-owned business ships Indian weddingwear rentals all across the United States. "At Marigold, we specialize in renting Indian clothing for weddings and celebrations, so we see firsthand how grooms and their families balance tradition with modern style," Patel says. "From sherwanis to Jodhpuri suits, we love helping men find outfits that feel regal, comfortable and true to their personality." You can find Marigold in The Knot Vendor Marketplace and, psst, they offer a 15% discount for The Knot couples in their storefront there.
• Sabyasachi: For those looking for ultra-high-end groom attire, Sabyasachi's couture Indian weddingwear is the cream of the crop. The atelier employs craftspeople from across India who specialize in embroidery, block printing, fabric dying and more, and creates one-of-a-kind pieces from handwoven fabrics for brides, grooms and guests. An in-house fine jewelry collection offers stunning accessories to match.
• Kynah: This retailer offers a curated collection of Indian wedding attire for men and women from some of the industry's most notable designers, such as Arjan Dugal, Seema Gujral, Project Bandi and more. The pieces are high-end, but the shop offers good sales on ready-to-ship items, including kurta sets, a great option for wedding guests.
• Kalki Fashion: If you're looking for great prices on sherwanis, kurta sets, Jodhpuri suits and Indowestern attire, the online retailer is a go-to (it's an especially great option for Indian wedding attire for male guests, who aren't looking to spend as much as the groom himself). Though there are more expensive options, too, you can find sherwanis for less than $500 and suits for less than $300.
• Etsy: Maybe an unexpected option, Etsy actually abounds with quality formal Indian wedding attire for men. You'll find handcrafted items by star sellers like India-based Sifat Art, colorful pieces with free shipping from Texas at Marigold House, well-priced Jodhupri suits from New Delhi's Nawab Clothings and more.