Can I wear a sari to a non-Indian wedding, or is it too "look at me"?

[Lentilweaver]

Adding to all the wedding threads. I am Indian, haven't been invited to a non-Indian wedding for ages, not since the pandemic anyway. Styles appear to have changed. I don't generaly like wedding guest dresses. They are all too floral and frilly and polyester, and a waste of money for something I might only wear once or twice.

i want to wear a quiet, non-blingy silk sari in a blue or green. The bride is in her twenties, the daughter of one of my friends. Friend says "wear whatever you want as long as not white", but I am worried she is just saying that. On the other hand, I am in my fifties, and hardly likely to take attention away from the lovely bride.. I expect I will be the only one in a sari though. The wedding is in August.

I wear a sari to lots of events, but not usually to weddings.

I am not Indian but have been regularly encouraged by my Indian friend to wear some of her beautiful clothes to occasions we go to together.

Is it considered bad for a non Indian to wear them? She is always very happy and proud, but now starting to worry if I've accidentally offended any of her other relatives or friends there.

No not bad, but IMO (which counts for nothing!) it can look a bit odd and try hard if you have no connection to India. It's totally different if you are going to an Indian wedding, or an Indian friend wants you to wear one with her. But a white person, with no connections turning up to a white wedding wearing a sari would be a bit odd, and perhaps thought of as attention seeking?

Sound gorgeous op and a lovely bright colour you will look fabulous.
Can you ask how do you feel about a non Indian person wearing a sari to an Indian wedding?
My friend would like to, but not sure if it would be considered disrespectful?

It's perfectly fine to wear saris or other 'cultural dress' (e.g. Highland dress, agbada etc.) to a wedding. I absolutely love going to weddings and seeing people looking smart and elegant - whether that's in modern Western dress, something more traditional, or clothing from another part of the world. It'd be a bit odd to wear a sari to a non- south Asian wedding if you didn't have a south Asian background. But as you do, it's completely appropriate.

I have seen some stunning saris at graduations this year.

Perfectly fine. Most Indians love it. I certainly wouldn't be offended. After all, I wear Western clothes for most occasions.
Though maybe a lehenga ( long skirt) or shalwar kameez would be easier.

My Indian friend wore sari to my wedding (non-Indian), she looked lovely. Go for it.

Saris can be so beautiful. Absolutely wear one 🙂

Oh if I were Indian I absolutely would wear one.