Still thinking about Kim Kardashian slaying in that stunning Tarun Tahiliani lehenga at the Ambani wedding? That bold getup could be just what you need for your upcoming Indian wedding invite!

Indian weddings are a feast of traditions, colors, and festivities. From the mehendi to the sangeet and the grand wedding day, every moment is steeped in cultural richness and celebration. But choosing what to wear as a non-Indian guest just might get a little overwhelming. Should you go for the classic look in a sari, an embellished statement lehenga, or a flowing anarkali suit? Also, how do you stay stylish without breaching cultural codes, like avoiding white and black or steering clear of overly casual attire?

In this guide, we’ll help you pick the perfect Indin wedding guest dresses to have you looking flawless. Let’s dive in!

Lehenga Choli: Timeless Three-Part Indian Classic Wear

The lehenga choli is the classic three-part ensemble that you have seen in countless bollywood films. It consists of: the lehenga, a long, flowing skirt that creates a graceful silhouette; the choli, a fitted blouse that complements the skirt; and the dupatta, a long scarf draped over your shoulders or arms. Think of a ballroom gown with vibrant colors and intricate details!

Heritage Value

The historical origin of this Indian guest dress dates back to the Mughal era. Worn by royalty as a symbol of luxury and opulence, over time, the lehenga choli became a pan-Indian iconic festive wear. Especially among brides in North India, it’s the go-to outfit for occasions like Diwali, Karva Chauth, and Navratri.

Types of Lehenga Cholis

From silk and satin to georgette and chiffon, you’ll find lehengas stiched in various style from luxurious materials.

Fabric: Silk and satin give you a smooth, lustrous finish, while chiffon and georgette are lighter and more airy. Velvet is perfect for winter weddings, adding a rich, regal touch.

Embroidery & Embellishments: You'll find most traditional lehengas in zari (gold or silver thread), resham (silk thread), and stone embellishments. For a more modern look, choose sequin work, mirror detailing, or lace accents.

Stitches & Cuts: Common stitch styles include the A-line lehenga. It flares slightly from the waist. The mermaid lehenga on the other hand, hugs the body and flares out at the knees.

The choli can be customized with various necklines—round, V-neck, or sweetheart—and sleeve styles, ranging from short to long, sheer sleeves.

The dupatta can be draped in different ways: over the head, across the shoulders, or elegantly around the arms.

Maintenance Tips

• Store these Indian wedding guest dresses in a cool, shaded area to prevent colors from fading. 
• Be mindful of your jewelry when wearing your lehenga, as the embellishments can easily get caught and damaged.
• Gently lift embroidered areas and adjust the lehenga to avoid pulling on the delicate beadwork or threads.
• Always dry clean your lehenga to preserve its embroidery and delicate fabrics. 
• Use a breathable garment bag to store your lehenga and keep it free from dust, while also preserving its shape.

Ghagra: Whimsical Festive Flair

Both Ghagra Choli and Lehenga-choli feature flared skirts. Ghagra is distinguishably lighter and less voluminous. There's more grace and comfort to be found in Ghagra Choli without compromising on elegance. Also, the choli in these Indian wedding guest dresses tends to be longer. Choose it for more coverage for a balanced, formal look.

Heritage Value

This Indian wedding guest dress started with the voluminous, circular-cut skirts worn by women for special occasions, especially in Rajasthan. Over time, the design evolved, with different regions adding their unique touches. In South India, for instance, the simpler Patu Pavadas worn by young girls grew alongside the rise of the silk weaving industry.

Types of Ghagra Choli

Chaniya Choli: Commonly worn during Gujarat’s vibrant Garba dances, this style features a pleated ghagra and a cropped choli, perfect for energetic events that call for color and movement.

Anarkali Ghagra Choli: A pure grandeur stitched into fabric, Anarkali ghagras are created from opulent materials like chiffon and silk.

Pakistani Style Ghagra Choli: This version has more structure. Choose it for straight-cut choli and a gently flared ghagra - perfect Indian wedding guess dress for evening events or intimate gatherings.

Maintenance Tips

• Carefully hold embellishments, especially the delicate dupattas to avoid snags.
• Keep away your Ghagra Choli in breathable garment bags in light folds to preserve the shape of the ghagra.
• Always dry clean to keep the delicate fabrics and intricate embroidery in pristine condition.
• Steam the ghagra on low heat. This remove wrinkles. Also, never iron directly on soft fabrics like silk or chiffon.
• Avoid moisture damage. Store your outfit in dry, well-ventilated spaces.

Saree: Grace and Elegance Wrapped in Tradition

As an Indian wedding guest dress, saree is unbeatable in its classic and timeless appeal. Made from a long piece of fabric, a saree is typically five to nine yards. You have to drape it around with one end thrown over the shoulder in a style called the pallu. The best thing about these Indian wedding dresses is their flexibility. In a saree, you can be dressed up for a grand wedding or dressed down for more casual events.

Heritage Value

The saree dates back thousands of years to the Indus Valley Civiliztion. It has long been a symbol of grace and evolved through centuries to become a royal staple in Indian courts. You would be amazed to learn, sarees can be draped over more than 100 ways with different Indian regions having their own unique styles of draping!

Types of Sarees

You can explore a number of options when picking up saree as an Indian wedding guest dress:

Fabrics: Common festive sarees utilize Silk, Chiffon or Georgette. These fabrics exude a luxe appearance, at the same time being light and flowy, perfect for warm weather or evening functions. 

Cotton sarees are more laid-back, perfect for casual gatherings. For a contemporary touch at Indian wedding reception parties, drape linen sarees.

Embroidery & Embellishments: Some traditional gilding works on sarees include - zari (gold thread), resham (silk thread), or kanta (mirror work).  You can also try out beads or sequins for that extra sparkle in your Indian wedding guest dresses!

Regional Styles: Regional craftsmanship of sarees often defines the occasion it is worn for. For example, you wear a Banarasi, with its intricate gold or silver designs for a bridal look. A Kanjivaram, made of heavy silk and vibrant colors, is a favorite in South India. For a more playful vibe, try a Bandhani saree with its colorful tie-dye patterns.

Maintenance Tips

• When not in use, wrap your saree in muslin cloth to prevent dust buildup.
• Don’t fold your saree for long-term storage to maintain its smoothness and to avoid loose creases.
• Dry clean instead of home washing to delay fading and avoid damage.

• Use a steamer to remove wrinkles from your saree, especially if it’s a delicate fabric. 

Quirky Take: A saree need't always be traditional drapes and pleats. Enter the pant-style saree! This fun twist combines the elegance of a six-yard drape with the comfort of pants. Dance the night away without worrying constantly about adjusting your outfit – and still look fab!