What to wear? Indian wedding august. Suggestions please

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I have been invited to a wedding ceremony and reception in August. The ceremony is in the morning from 9:30 and then a lunch and then an evening reception from 5 until 11:30.

bride and groom are both Indian heritage. I am going with my partner who is Pakistani heritage. Everyone I know there will be in in traditional Indian or Pakistani wedding clothes. I am white British and want to ‘blend in’ without stepping over any lines of cultural appropriation. Are there any ‘rules’ I should be aware of (eg colours I should/should not wear?)

Please help me find something to wear!

Will I need more than one outfit?

I am 5ft 10 size 16, late 50s with a bit of a bulgy belly. Desperate not to look frumpy. I’m thinking elegant, modest and yet sexy!

I like jewel colours - don’t suit pastels or anything ‘sludgy’ coloured. My budget is around £250 but happy to spend a lot less if I can!

I already have sparkly wedge sandals to wear.

Glad you said jewel colours because outfits will all be bright and bling. A long dress will be nice if you don't want to buy a new outfit. Take a sparkly shawl to cover your head.

My sister wore a long summer dress to an Indian wedding. She said she felt comfortable.

I would just go Indian/Pakistani traditional clothes. I have been to a couple of Indian weddings and this is what I did - it was encouraged by my Indian friends. I bought my clothes in an Indian dress shop who couldn’t have been more helpful in steering me to the right choices! You’d be dressing appropriately for the occasion and in line with the norms of the wedding, that’s not cultural appropriation.

I envy you. I’ve always admired Indian/Pakistani clothing and would love the appropriate opportunity to wear some.
As pp suggests, go to an Indian clothing store for advice.

You could get a "suit" which is a long dress with leggings/tight trousers underneath for that price at an Indian fashion shop. Google local Indian street fashion shops in your area which will have them for sure. I wouldn't deem it culturally inappropriate at all, just joining in the festivities. Wear a bindi to match your outfit and some sparkly bangles. Have fun!

And don't wear red (bridal) or white (traditionally funeral)

Any salwar kameez should be fine. If it’s got a little bling then even better. Just be aware that for some bits (esp where any religious ceremony might be taking place) you might have to take your shoes off.
And cover your head. Many people think it’s a Muslim thing only but parts of both the Sikh and Hindu wedding ceremonies involve covering your head (the men might have to do it too). So a dupatta is your friend for that.

You will stick out like a sore thumb if you go for subtle.

I would either go for a bright coloured maxi dress or go to an Indian shop and buy an outfit. They won't care about cultural appropriation.

When it comes to makeup and jewellery, more is more.

I think it would be fabulous to have a reason to go full on bright Indian dress for this - embrace the opportunity!

And yes no red or white usually. And have as much bling as you are comfortable with. I am Indian and I hate bindis and will only wear nice earrings to a wedding- no necklaces and bracelets because I don’t like them!

You can opt for a salwar kameez which is a long tunic with a trouser like thing at the bottom. The trousers can be tapered/straight or billowing. (Each style has a specific name!). Or you can opt for a lehenga which is a skirt with a top. Usually much more expensive. Indian shops will also have ‘Westernised’ versions of Indian clothes so plainer skirts than a lehenga with tops or even dresses but made from Indian fabrics. Enjoy the shopping!

Of course you can wear a sari but they are not easy to put on and unless you are used to them spending all day in them might not be easy. I would always opt for a saree but I can drape it myself and I’m comfortable in it per se.

A salwar kamiz or lehenga would be easiest to wear. Take a dupatta but in my community we do not cover our heads. Depends on the community.

These days, pastel colours are in for weddings, but if you like bright, wear bright. Not black or white. No such thing as cultural appropriation in this case. Everyone will be thrilled.

I would buy two outfits, one for the lunch and one for the evening reception. Don't worry about the bulgy belly; most S Asians have those.

Which part of India are they from? South indians don't cover their head. Wedding guests don't have to either in a North Indian setting.
Wear anything colourful, blingy, avoid black and white. Red is typically the brides dress colour, but others aren't blocked from wearing red.

No red black or white for the ceremony.
usually people will change for the reception. These days dress code for reception is often western - black tie rather than more Indian. Invitation will usually specify.

Do wear Indian for the ceremony if you’re up for it! It will be appreciated and not seen as cultural appropriation etc. otherwise a nice bright midi or maxi dress, not too low cut etc

It’s a great opportunity for you to be as blingy as you want. No such thing as being overdressed at an Indian wedding!

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Oh you are all so lovely. Thanks so much!

so I will seek out an Indian shop (any tips or good websites) for the ceremony part and make sure I have some sort of head covering to be ready.

those phase eight dresses are lovely @TaleOfJimberlysMassiveTitties - thank you. I would need to try on with someone with me. I am drawn to the silver sequins but suspect I will look like a shiny blimp in it😕

How exciting! I’d def wear a salwar kameez - bright colours with bling look fab. You can get them from Indian dress shops or even order online. I have a few which I brought from a shop in Southall - can’t remember the name. My fave is bright teal one with gold sequins. The outfit suits all ages and sizes and is great if you feel body conscious

I'm indian origin and also wear long seqiuin chiffon maxi dresses with loads of jewellery and a sparkly scarf or dupatta around my shoulders or to cover my head.
Buying a new indian outfit is sometimes just too much effort unless it's a close relative or friend and a long dress can be recycled on more occasions.

I think you may also stick out like a sore thumb if you go for “sexy”

Definitely wear an Asian outfit! You’ll look so glamorous like everyone else and Asian clothes (especially shalwar kameez or trouser suit) are very forgiving for all types of figures. You’ll get a fab outfit for £250 or less. Go for it!

Borrow something from an Asian friend! They will have lots of outfits.

Hiya what kind of Indian wedding js it do you know? Is it Sikh, Hindu or Muslim for example? Because each on can come with its own dress code especially if the ceremony in the morning is a religious one? Also it is usual for guests to change outfit for each part of the day? Whereabouts in the world/country are you? I can recommend some shops based on location.

Make sure you can put it on yourself, a saree is probably not possible. Avoid red. Check if there is a specific dress code for any of the parts

ASOS have lehengas