Womens in Ethnic Wears

What to Wear as a Guest at an Indian Wedding: The Ultimate Style & Footwear Guide

Indian weddings are a whirlwind of colours, emotions, and traditions, an experience that blends elegance, heritage, and joy. But with all that grandeur comes the question every guest faces: What should I wear?

Whether it’s your best friend’s sangeet, a colleague’s mehndi, or a cousin’s big wedding day, this guide covers what you should and shouldn’t wear, plus curated footwear picks to make your look picture-perfect.

Understanding the Vibe

An Indian wedding isn’t a single event; it’s a festival stretched over days. Each function has its own energy, so dressing right is about matching the mood:

🌼 Haldi: Fun, Colorful & Playful

For the Haldi ceremony—where sunshine, laughter, and turmeric take the spotlight—your footwear should be equal parts comfy and festive. Since the day can get playful (and a little messy!), opt for pairs that are easy to slip on, durable, and light. The Noor-e-Sheesh Kolhapuri Flats from How I Met My Sole are a perfect pick with their vibrant tones and handcrafted charm. If you're leaning towards something more intricate, Fizzy Goblet’s embroidered juttis bring in a beautifully artisanal touch without compromising on comfort.

Flats and Juttis for Haldi Function

🌺 Mehndi: Festive & Bohemian

The Mehndi ceremony is all about colour, artistry, and joyful moments. Choose vibrant floral lehengas, mirror-work kurtas, or fun shararas that let you dance and move with ease. Light, breathable fabrics and relaxed cuts are ideal—especially while getting your mehndi applied. For footwear, the Ethnic Blue Shahi Aasman Juttis make a stunning choice with their elegance, comfort, and pop of colour. If you want a more boho-chic vibe, Needledust Mojaris pair beautifully with mirror-work outfits and add a stylish, handcrafted edge.

Juttis for Mehendi Function

💃 Sangeet: Glamorous & Musical

The Sangeet is all about full-on glamour—sequins, shimmer, and outfits that catch every light as you dance. With all the twirling and movement, your footwear needs to look stunning without sacrificing comfort. Opt for heels that offer stability and support so you can enjoy the night without sore feet. The Zari Not Sorry Open Toe Ethnic Heels from How I Met My Sole strike the perfect balance with their sparkle and structured design. For a more high-street vibe, Metro’s wedding slip-ons or Aldo’s metallic block heels are stylish picks that pair beautifully with festive ensembles.

Heels for Sangeet Function

👑 Wedding Ceremony: Traditional & Regal

The main wedding ceremony calls for a royal, traditional look. Rich tones like red, maroon, gold, or deep blue are timeless choices, and fabrics such as silk, brocade, or velvet exude grandeur. Heavy embroidery and ethnic jewellery like kundan or temple pieces complete the regal vibe. For footwear, comfort and grace should coexist, Noor-e-Sheesh Kolhapuri Flats or How I Met My Sole’s ethnic heels are great for pairing with lehengas and sarees. Men can opt for Manyavar mojaris or pastel-hued loafers for a polished ethnic look.

Heels and Flats for Wedding Ceremony

💫 Reception: Elegant & Modern

The reception tends to have a more modern, glamorous tone,  perfect for experimenting with pastels, metallics, and Indo-western silhouettes. Sarees with shimmer detailing, structured gowns, or draped jumpsuits in soft tones look effortlessly elegant. Keep accessories minimal; a statement clutch or pearl choker can do wonders. For footwear, the Zari Not Sorry Heels remain a top choice for an evening look, or you could switch to Charles & Keith’s metallic stilettos for a sleek, contemporary twist.

Zari Not Sorry Ethnic Heels for Reception

What You Should Wear

1. Embrace Colours that Celebrate

Skip neutrals, Indian weddings are made for colour!

Go for:

  • Jewel tones like emerald, royal blue, magenta
  • Earthy hues like rust, mustard, sage green
  • Romantic pastels for daytime events

Avoid red (bride’s colour), black, and pure white.

Footwear Picks

2. Choose Silhouettes That Respect the Occasion

For women: sarees, lehengas, anarkalis, co-ord sets.
For men: kurtas, bandhgalas, sherwanis or Indo-western suits.

The trick is comfort + culture = confidence.

Footwear Ideas

  • Zari Not Sorry Open Toe Ethnic Heels: Your go-to for sangeet or reception night; metallic tones complement any outfit.
  • Fizzy Goblet Dainty Delights Heels – Add a premium touch for gowns or embellished sarees.
  • Manyavar Ethnic Mojaris – Ideal for men pairing with a sherwani or silk kurta.

3. Match Accessories & Footwear Smartly

Accessories should highlight your outfit, not overpower it.

  • Choose one statement piece (a necklace, earrings, or clutch).
  • Metallic footwear complements embroidery or zari borders.

Style Tip:

If your outfit has heavy embroidery, go for simpler footwear like Noor-e-Sheesh Kolhapuri Flats or neutral Metro heels.

4. Dress According to Time & Venue

  • Day wedding → Light fabrics (cotton, chiffon, georgette).
  • Night reception → Heavier textures (silk, velvet, brocade).
  • Outdoor → Avoid stilettos; choose wedges or block heels.

For Men:

  • Provogue Men’s Leather Derbys – A modern pick for tuxedo or Indo-western wear.
  • Manyavar Mojaris – Perfect match with embroidered sherwanis.

What You Shouldn’t Wear

1. Avoid Overly Casual Looks

No jeans, t-shirts, or sneakers — even for the sangeet.

2. Skip Uncomfortable or Ill-Fitted Outfits

If you can’t dance or sit comfortably, you’ll regret it by the second function.

3. Avoid Loud or Distracting Colours

Neons and harsh contrasts can take away from the bride and groom’s spotlight.

4. Don’t Overdo Jewellery

A cluttered look feels less elegant. Choose a hero accessory and let it shine.

Womens in Ethnic Wears

Curated Footwear Edit: Step Into Every Wedding Moment with Style

No Indian wedding look is complete without the perfect pair of shoes, the kind that not only complements your outfit but also lets you move, dance, and shine through long celebrations. From the playful Mehndi afternoons to the grand wedding night, here’s a curated footwear edit featuring statement pieces from How I Met My Sole and other classic brands that fit every occasion flawlessly.

For Mehndi: Noor-e-Sheesh Kolhapuri Flats

Vibrant and comfortable, the Noor-e-Sheesh Kolhapuri Flats are the perfect pick for daytime Mehndi festivities. The pop of colour adds cheer to your floral outfit, while the handcrafted detailing keeps it effortlessly festive. Light and breathable, these flats make sure you can enjoy every twirl and every laugh without worrying about sore feet.

For Sangeet: Zari Not Sorry Open Toe Ethnic Heels

A night filled with dance and sparkle deserves a touch of metallic glam. The Zari Not Sorry Open Toe Ethnic Heels perfectly balance shimmer and comfort, ideal for pairing with sequined sarees or flowy gowns. Their open-toe design keeps them chic yet breathable,  exactly what you need for an evening on your feet.

👑For the Wedding Ceremony: Ethnic Blue Shahi Aasman Juttis

On the main wedding day, nothing beats the regal charm of Ethnic Blue Shahi Aasman Juttis. With intricate ethnic patterns and soft interiors, they’re both luxurious and practical. The rich blue tone complements traditional lehengas or silk sarees beautifully, making it an easy favourite for bridesmaids and guests alike.

For the Reception: Fizzy Goblet Dainty Delights Heels

The reception calls for something luxe and polished. Fizzy Goblet’s Dainty Delights Heels bring the right amount of sophistication and sparkle, ideal for contemporary Indo-western outfits or metallic sarees. Their refined finish adds a subtle statement, making you look picture-perfect under the evening lights.

For Men’s Ceremony: Manyavar Mojaris

Men can embrace timeless tradition with Manyavar Mojaris. With their rich textures and handcrafted designs, they pair perfectly with sherwanis or bandhgala suits. The design adds elegance while keeping comfort intact for long rituals or ceremonies.

For Men’s Reception: Provogue Derbys

For a sharp, modern finish, Provogue Derbys make an excellent pick for the reception. Their sleek design and formal polish make them the perfect match for tuxedos or Indo-western suits, ensuring the men of the evening step out in style.

An Indian wedding is about celebrating love, culture, and community. As a guest, your attire should honour that spirit, vibrant, elegant, and comfortable. If you pick the right colours, fit, and footwear, you won’t just look great — you’ll feel a part of the celebration. Your outfit tells a story, and your shoes carry you through it so choose thoughtfully, dance freely, and walk in style with How I Met My Sole.

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