Touch of Elegance · The Complete Guide
Everything You Need to Know
About Indian & South Asian Wedding Shopping
From the Mehndi to the Vidaai — your definitive checklist for bride, groom, and every beloved guest.
✦ ✦ ✦
Where to Begin
An Indian or South Asian wedding isn't a single event — it's a constellation of ceremonies, each with its own dress code, colour palette, and emotional register. Whether you're the bride stepping into your bridal lehenga for the first time, the groom being draped in an embroidered sherwani by your mother, or a cherished guest trying to nail your kurta look — this guide is your starting point.
South Asian weddings are known for their richness, layering, and intention. The right outfit isn't just about looking beautiful — it's about honouring tradition, celebrating your family's love language, and feeling completely yourself on one of life's most luminous days. At Touch of Elegance, we've dressed brides, grooms, bridal parties, and guests for every ceremony imaginable. Here's everything we know, distilled into one guide.
One key piece of advice before anything else: start shopping early. Custom bridal apparel takes time to perfect, and the last thing you want is to be chasing a courier tracking number the week before your Anand Karaj or Baraat. Keep reading — we'll walk you through exactly how much lead time you need for every item we offer.
Know Your Functions
A Guide to Indian Wedding Ceremonies
Each function has its own vibe, formality level, and traditional colour expectations. Here's a quick primer so you can dress accordingly.
Roka / Sagai
EngagementThe formal engagement ceremony. Think elegant and festive — anarkalis, sharara sets, or a polished lehenga for women; a kurta pyjama or indo-western suit for men. Colours are joyful: pinks, yellows, greens.
Mehndi Night
Pre-WeddingA joyful evening of henna, music, and colour. Yellow, green, orange, and fuchsia reign supreme. Guests often coordinate in mustard and green. A lehenga set or a vibrant salwar suit is perfect.
Sangeet
Pre-WeddingAn evening of dance, performances, and celebration shared by both families. Outfit choices can be bolder and more glamorous — heavily embellished lehengas, sequin sarees, or an elegant embroidered suit for guests.
Choora & Kaleeray Ceremony
Bridal RitualOne of the most emotional pre-wedding rituals, especially in Punjabi weddings. The bride's maternal family places red and ivory bangles (choora) on her wrists. A beautiful custom choora & kaleeray box makes the moment even more memorable.
Haldi
Pre-WeddingTurmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom for glowing skin. Old or affordable outfits are traditional here — white or yellow kurtas, simple salwars. Save the finery for later!
Anand Karaj / Nikah / Wedding Day
Main CeremonyThe main religious ceremony. This is the pinnacle of bridal and groom dressing — the bridal lehenga, the sherwani, the full bridal jewellery set. Guests dress in their finest.
Baraat
Groom's ProcessionThe groom's arrival procession is a spectacle of music, dancing, and colour. The groom's sherwani or achkan should be regal — groomsmen coordinate in contrasting or complementary menswear.
Reception
Post-WeddingOften more Westernised in formality, the reception is a chance for the bride to wear a second outfit — a lehenga, saree, or even a gown. Guests frequently dress up in heavily embroidered suits or draped sarees.
For the Bride
The Indian Bride's Complete Shopping Checklist
A South Asian bridal look is layers upon layers of thought, tradition, and beauty. This checklist covers every piece you'll need across your wedding functions. Remember: custom pieces take 6–8 weeks to craft, so begin your bridal shopping at least 3–4 months before your first function.
"The most common mistake brides make is underestimating how long custom jewellery and choora boxes take. Start earlier than you think you need to — your future self will thank you."
Bridal Apparel
Allow 6–8 weeks for custom orders- Bridal lehenga set (main ceremony)
- Mehndi/Sangeet outfit — lehenga or embroidered suit
- Haldi outfit (simple, affordable — turmeric stains!)
- Reception lehenga or saree (second outfit)
- Getting-ready robe or co-ord set for bridal prep photos
- Comfortable clothes for post-wedding travel
Bridal Jewellery
Allow 4–6 weeks for custom sets- Custom bridal necklace set (necklace, earrings, maang tikka)
- Passa / jhumar / sheeshphool for hair
- Nath (bridal nose ring)
- Haath phool / hand jewellery
- Payal (anklets)
- Non-bridal jewellery sets for Mehndi & Sangeet functions
- Hair accessories — passa, sahara, matha patti
Choora & Kaleeray
Allow 4–6 weeks for custom choora boxes- Bridal choora (red & ivory bangle set) — sized correctly
- Kaleeray — traditional golden hanging ornaments
- Custom choora & kaleeray gift box for the ceremony
- Colour-matched kaleeray for Mehndi night (optional)
Accessories & Beauty
Book vendors early — they fill up fast- Bridal dupatta (check if included with lehenga)
- Embroidered bridal jutti / heels
- Clutch or potli bag for each function
- Undergarments appropriate for lehenga blouse cut
- Mehndi artist booking (6–12 months in advance)
- Bridal hair & makeup artist booking
- Skincare prep plan (start 3–6 months before)
For the Groom
The Indian Groom's Complete Shopping Checklist
The groom is often overlooked in wedding planning — don't let that happen to you. A beautifully fitted sherwani or achkan is your armour for one of the most photographed days of your life. Custom menswear also takes 6–8 weeks, so plan accordingly. Browse our Sherwani & Kurta Measurement Guide to get your measurements ready before you order.
Groom Apparel
Allow 6–8 weeks for custom orders- Sherwani or achkan with churidar for main ceremony
- Kurta pyjama or Indo-western suit for Mehndi/Sangeet
- Kurta pyjama for Haldi (plain or white)
- Reception outfit — embroidered suit or Western formal
- Comfortable kurta for wedding day morning rituals
Groom Accessories
Coordinate with bride's colours- Sehra — floral or decorative headpiece for baraat
- Pagri / safa / turban (colour-matched to sherwani)
- Kalgi — turban ornament/brooch
- Embroidered jutti or mojari shoes
- Stole or dupatta (often provided with sherwani)
- Pocket square or brooch for reception
Pro tip: Coordinate your sherwani colour with the bride's bridal lehenga for a cohesive couple's look that photographs beautifully. Traditional pairings include ivory & red, gold & deep green, or cream & burgundy. Book a consultation with us to get colour-matching advice.
For the Guests
Guest Shopping Checklist — Female & Male
Attending an Indian wedding as a guest is a joy — and a genuine opportunity to dress beautifully. Here's what to think about.
Female Guests
Dress code: festive & colourful- Lehenga set for Sangeet, main ceremony, or reception
- Salwar suit or anarkali for Mehndi or daytime functions
- Draped saree as an elegant alternative for older guests
- Statement jewellery set — necklace, earrings, bangles
- Bangles — glass, gold-tone, or kundan for each function
- Hair accessories — passa or sahara for a dressed-up touch
- Embroidered flats or block heels (you will be dancing)
- Small clutch or potli bag
- Avoid: white, black only, or red (traditionally reserved for the bride)
Male Guests
Dress code: smart traditional or indo-western- Kurta pyjama for Mehndi, Sangeet, or Haldi
- Embroidered kurta with trousers for evening functions
- Indo-western sherwani jacket or bandhgala for the main ceremony or reception
- Matching or co-ordinating dupatta / stole
- Mojari or leather jutti — traditional and comfortable
- Pocket square for the reception
- Tip: check with the host family if the wedding has a colour theme for guests — many modern weddings do!
Bridesmaid & Groomsmen Note
If you're part of the bridal party, the bride or family may request coordinated outfits. Touch of Elegance offers bridesmaid sets and groomsmen menswear that can be ordered in matching colours and styles. Reach out early — coordinating multiple outfits requires extra lead time.
Insider Wisdom
Tips from the Touch of Elegance Team
Use our Sherwani & Kurta Measurement Guide for grooms. Accurate measurements are the single biggest factor in a perfect custom fit.
Brides and grooms don't need to be identical — aim for complementary tones. Your jewellery and lehenga colours set the palette; the groom's sherwani should harmonise, not compete.
The bridal lehenga is the anchor of every other decision — jewellery, choora, even the groom's sherwani. Order it first and build everything else around it.
Not sure where to start? Our bridal consultation service walks you through everything — from silhouette to delivery timeline — with personalised guidance.
Custom timelines are in addition to shipping. If you're outside Canada, allow extra days for international delivery. When in doubt, order earlier — a finished outfit sitting safely at home is a beautiful thing.
✦ ✦ ✦
Have questions about sizing, ordering, or delivery? Chat with us on WhatsApp or send us an email — we're always happy to help you plan the perfect look for your big day.