With wedding season back in full swing, it’s time to revamp and upgrade your festive wear closet. The bride’s outfit planning may be an excruciating affair but guests have a myriad of options to choose from. Among the many ceremonies that Indian weddings have, one of them and perhaps the first function in many Hindu rituals is the Haldi ceremony.
Understanding Haldi Ceremony
The haldi ceremony is a joyful and colorful pre-wedding ritual in many Indian weddings, where turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom’s body to cleanse and beautify their skin. Also known as ‘Pithi’ in some regions of India, the primary purpose of the Haldi ceremony is to purify the bride and groom, both physically and spiritually, before their wedding day. Turmeric is believed to have antiseptic and beautifying properties, making it ideal for cleansing and brightening the skin. The spice is considered sacred in Indian culture and is associated with purity and auspiciousness. Applying it to the bride and groom is believed to ward off evil spirits and ensure a prosperous future. As it’s a time of great celebration, laughter, and bonding among family and friends, it’s a beautiful way to prepare the bride and groom for their upcoming wedding, while also adding an element of fun and festivity to the wedding celebrations.
Decoding The Haldi Ceremony Dress Code
As a guest attending a haldi ceremony, it’s essential to dress appropriately for the occasion. The haldi ceremony dress code is typically informal and comfortable, as this pre-wedding ritual is all about joy, fun, and simplicity. The color theme is traditionally yellow or shades of yellow, as it symbolizes turmeric, which is the central element of the ceremony. However, other bright and vibrant colors are also commonly worn.
Since Haldi ceremonies are known for their lively and colorful atmosphere, one must opt for outfits in bright and cheerful colors like yellow, orange, pink, green, or red to match the festive spirit. Traditional Indian attire is a great choice. Consider wearing a saree, lehenga, or salwar kameez. These outfits can be adorned with embroidery, mirror work, or other traditional embellishments. Since the ceremony involves a lot of dancing and celebrations, choose comfortable and lightweight fabrics like cotton, chiffon, or georgette that allow for ease of movement. When it comes to completing the look, accessorizing your outfit with traditional Indian jewelry, such as jhumkas, bangles, and a maang tikka is a good idea. Gold or imitation jewelry complements the occasion’s celebratory vibe. One can also consider adorning their hair with fresh flowers or wearing a floral tiara for a touch of tradition and freshness. Given that haldi paste will be applied during the ceremony, keep your makeup light and minimal. Focus on a natural and dewy look. Coming to the most important part – footwear – one must go for comfortable juttis or sandals that are a practical choice, as they allow you to dance and participate in the festivities with ease.
Traditional Outfit Choices
While the bride chooses the It-wedding lehenga to wear on their big day, when it comes to showing up as the wedding guest or the bridesmaid, there are several aspects to consider. How much is too much? The ceremonial occasion is perhaps where you can go easy with embellished work and incorporate warmer tones that go along with the theme. Opt for easy-to-carry and fuss-free silhouettes like Lashkaraa’s Yellow Floral Printed Crop Sharara Set or take a traditional spin with Yellow and Blue Floral Printed Lehenga that comes with a contrasting ice blue dupatta and intricate weaves of zari and thread, for the event.
Take into consideration new materials and new colors that feel comfortable, fun and maintain the quotient of style expert without going overboard with heavier outfits. The important factor when attending the quintessential Indian wedding is to never get your uniforms confused. But we come bearing good news with an update on how to nail each of your events with grace and aplomb, so that you never miss the memo. If you want to explore colors beyond yellow, opt for jewel tones like Lashkaraa’s Orange Floral Printed Lehenga that embraces the allure of georgette’s weightless charm in a one shoulder blouse, skirt and dupatta. A hue like parrot green is also a gorgeous option. Lashkaraa’s Green Floral Printed Lehenga is crafted in luxurious upada silk and adorned with masterful embroidery in bead, stone, print, zari and handwork. To stand out and make heads turn, go for an unconventional color like purple. The Purple and Gold Hand Embroidered Palazzo Suit is a chic and super relaxed silhouette from Lashkaraa’s festive edit ’23 ‘Rang’. Brilliantly vibrant, purple resonates dynamic energy in this exquisitely crafted style.
Choosing The Perfect Colors
The Haldi ceremony is traditionally associated with the color yellow, as turmeric, the bright yellow spice, plays a central role in the ritual. When choosing the outfit, it’s best to consider the theme and décor of the event. Yellow is considered auspicious and symbolizes purity, prosperity, and happiness, so most haldi ceremonies are all about the bright yellow color. The classic choice is to embrace yellow, from pale pastels to vibrant shades. You can pair it with gold accents in the attire, decor, and accessories for a traditional and regal look.
However, you’re not limited to yellow, and you can choose a color palette that compliments the overall decor and the bride’s and groom’s preferences. Soft pastel colors like pale pink, mint green, sky blue, or peach can be a refreshing alternative. These colors offer a delicate and soothing vibe for the ceremony. Vibrant and cheerful colors such as orange, coral, fuchsia, and red can add energy and vibrancy to the event. One can even use complementary colors. Consider choosing a color palette that compliments yellow. For instance, shades of blue or green can create a lovely contrast when combined with yellow. Moving on to patterns and designs, floral patterns with various colors can be incorporated into the decor and outfits. Floral prints represent the blossoming of love and are a popular choice for Haldi ceremonies. A non-traditional choice would be white and gold. Lastly, no matter what color you choose, make sure to have a lot of fun at the ceremony as haldi is all about shared laughter and creating life-long memories.