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Help! What do I wear to a Sikh wedding?!

7 replies

CupOfTeaSandwiches · 23/01/2013 17:22

Hi,
I've been invited to my friend's Sikh wedding in a couple of month's time. We will go to the Gurdwara part of the wedding as well as the reception afterwards.

I am familiar with some of the important things to remember - like I have to cover my head and there should be no plunging neck lines and legs on display etc, but I am otherwise very stuck on what to wear! I am not Sikh, so would it look completely out of place if I wore a traditional lengha or salwar kameez? If not, where could I get one at a reasonable price that is still nice? I know I should stay away from red, pink, black and white, so would blue/navy or green be ok?

If I don't wear anything traditional what would be the alternatives? I'm on a very tight budget and have absolutely nothing suitable in my wardrobe currently.

Location wise I am in the South West of the UK, so nowhere near London to visit Southall / Ilford etc for outfit shopping!

Any advice gratefully received!

Thanks.

OP posts:
womblingalong · 23/01/2013 17:28

Hi there, if you want to you can wear Indian clothes, you can get stuff online, eBay is good for second hand outfits or even new ones.

TBH, if you are on a tight budget I would suggest you wear a smart outfit you already own, nice dress with sleeves, or jacket/cardi over, a trouser suit, or a skirt suit, if it is not too short. Be ready to cover your head with a hat or scarf, you will look lovely.

just relax, so long as you have made an effort, and are dressed modestly, no one will expect you to wear Indian clothes, IME. Have a lovely time!

CupOfTeaSandwiches · 23/01/2013 17:35

Thank you very much for your reply Wombling! Additional problem I didn't mention at the beginning is that I will be around 13 weeks pregnant, so I'm guessing (all going well) that I won't be able to fit into anything I have currently very easily - not that I really have anything anyway! I think I will look on eBay. Do the sleeves have to be all the way down to the wrists?

OP posts:
womblingalong · 23/01/2013 22:11

Congratulations! At 13 weeks, you will probably be still in normal clothes, I was, although they were getting snug. A shalwar kameeze is actually a really comfy option for someone who is pregnant, as the trousers are usually fastened with a drawstring so can be adjusted to fit, and you can choose a loose style for the kameez.

Sleeves just have to not expose your upper arms and armpits/shoulders.

Happy shopping! Smile

GoldPlatedNineDoors · 23/01/2013 22:18

Dont wear red as traditionally the bride will.wear red and gold.

CointreauVersial · 23/01/2013 22:25

You don't have to wear Indian clothes, just what you would wear to a normal wedding, but on the modest side - I wore a jacket and wide-legged trousers when my friend married a sikh. Bring a lightweight scarf to cover your head.

Leavehim · 23/01/2013 22:30

Look at a website called rupali. Some great ideas. I'm white but married to a sikh. I love wearing indian outfits, they are very glam with all the beading etc. At a wedding everyone will be dressed up so if you choose to go in western clothes you can get away with lots of 'bling'.
Enjoy the day, hey are usually fabulous parties!!

poshbeaver · 23/01/2013 22:39

I wore a maxi dress, cardigan and a scarf for my head when I went to one in the summer. My non Sikh friends all wore dresses or varying lengths.
Can honestly say, was one of the best weddings I have ever been to, enjoy!

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