What to Wear to a Pakistani Wedding as a Guest Overview
Pakistani weddings are lavish, colorful affairs that are full of traditions and culture. If you have been invited to attend a Pakistani wedding as a guest, you may be wondering what the dress code is. Keep reading to find out what to wear to a Pakistani wedding as a guest.
What to Wear as a Woman Guest
If you are a woman who has been invited to a Pakistani wedding, you should wear clothing that covers your arms and legs. A lengha is a type of skirt that is often worn at Pakistani weddings. You can pair your lengha with a blouse or other top that covers your shoulders and upper body. A dupatta, or scarf, is another common accessory worn by women at Pakistani weddings. Your dupatta can be draped over your shoulders or head.
What to Wear as a Man Guest
Men guests at Pakistani weddings typically wear sherwani suits. A sherwani is a long coat that is worn over a shirt and pants. The sherwani can be made from a variety of materials, such as silk or linen. You will also want to wear traditional Pakistani shoes, such as mojari sandals.
What is a traditional Pakistani wedding like?
The Mehndi Ceremony
The mehndi ceremony is one of the most important pre-wedding traditions in Pakistan. This event usually takes place a few days before the wedding and is attended by female family and friends. During the mehndi ceremony, the bride’s hands and feet are decorated with henna, a paste made from crushed leaves and bark. The paste is left to dry on the skin, leaving behind a temporary stain. The gradual darkening of the henna indicates how long it will take for the bride’s marital status to change!
The Baraat Ceremony
The baraat ceremony is another important tradition in Pakistani weddings. The baraat is a procession of the groom’s family and friends, who travel to the bride’s home on the day of the wedding. The groom typically arrives on a white horse, which is considered a symbol of good luck. As he makes his way to the bride’s home, onlookers shower him with rose petals and rice.
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The Nikah Ceremony
The nikah is the official Islamic marriage ceremony, during which both partners recite special vows in Arabic. A religious scholar known as a qadi presides over the ceremony, which is often held at the bride’s home or at a mosque. Once the nikah is complete, guests congratulate the newlyweds and offer them gifts of money or other valuables.
Gifts for the Bride
It’s customary for the groom’s family to give the bride gold jewelry as a wedding gift. This could be in the form of bangles, earrings, a necklace, or even a gold coin. The thinking behind this tradition is that the jewelry will come in handy for the bride when she goes to her in-laws’ house. Gold is also considered to be a sign of good luck. Other popular gifts for the bride include clothes, perfume, and make-up.
Gifts for the Groom
The bride’s family often gives the groom money as a wedding gift. This is because it’s assumed that the groom will have numerous expenses after getting married, such as buying a house or starting a business. The amount of money given depends on how well-off the family is. The groom may also receive clothes and perfume as gifts from his parents or in-laws.
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Gift from Friends and Family
Wedding guests usually give the couple household items like crockery, cutlery, or bedding. These gifts are meant to help them set up their new home. It’s also common for guests to give money as a gift. If you’re close to the couple, you might consider giving them something that has sentimental value, like a family heirloom or piece of art.
Conclusion
Now that you know what to wear to aPakistani wedding as a guest, you can focus on enjoying the festivities. Be sure to wear clothing that covers your arms and legs if you are a woman, and opt for a sherwani suit if you are a man. Don’t forget to accessorize with items such as a lengha skirt, dupatta scarf, and mojari sandals.