Gone are the days when the pressure to look good on the wedding day relied solely on the bride. Today, grooms too are expected to dress to impress and put forward their best sartorial side. The modern grooms too are deeply involved in creating a wedding-style persona that resonates with their style and is also in sync with the ongoing fashion fads.
So, whether you believe in classic elegance, modern flair, or a relaxed festive vibe, there is a suitable groom’s wedding attire for you. In this guide, we break down the best groom dress ideas for every wedding function, helping you look confident, comfortable, and effortlessly stylish at each step of your wedding journey.
Classic Indian Groom Dress Ideas
There are some classic groom dress ideas that are rooted in tradition and are the first choice of modern grooms.
Sherwani Styles for Grooms
Sherwanis are the ultimate dressing attire for Indian grooms, combining tradition and style into one. Originating from the courts of the Mughals, sherwanis exude opulence and sophistication, making them the ideal wedding attire for men.
The classic attire holds great significance and continues to be one of the most prominent wedding attire choices for grooms. The modern sherwani designs are customised to suit the requirements of fashion-forward grooms, featuring modernised designs, contemporary cuts, and intricate traditional embroidery.
Achkan and Jodhpuri Suits
Achkans are a less elaborate version of a sherwani, featuring simpler detailing like cuts and embroidery. These are more suitable for intimate weddings or pre-wedding occasions, where you want to look put-together but not be dressed excessively. These are often tailored from luxurious fabrics with minimal embroidery to keep the look subdued for daytime formal events and refined for semi-formal looks.
Jodhpuri sets or bandhgalas, are characterised by their short and structured silhouette paired with a closed neckline or bandh gala, blending Indian and Western style aesthetics. Originating from the city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, these are best suited for wedding-related events like engagements, sangeet ceremonies, mehendi, etc.
Dhoti Kurta and South Indian Silk Dhoti & Shirt
The dhoti kurta for men is still a popular pick among people who want to explore traditional options. South Indian grooms, especially, wear dhoti kurta for the wedding ceremony, creating a refined traditional look that is rooted in culture. You can opt for a classic straight-cut kurta in your choice of colour for a minimal look or choose an Indo-western, asymmetrical one to create a contemporary vibe.
Pathani Suits
Pathani suits are more popular among grooms as pre-wedding attire. They may not be suitable to be worn as wedding attire, but they offer an ideal vibe for a sangeet, mehendi, or roka ceremony. The unique silhouette of the pathani adds an unconventional appeal, and the loose fit allows for ease of movement. Choose refined fabrics like silk and satin to elevate the look of your pathani even more.
Modern & Indo‑Western Groom Dress Ideas
The modern groom’s clothing ideas are a combination of traditional and contemporary fashion, helping modern grooms to embrace their culture while exploring modern-age fashion sensibilities.
Indo‑Western Sherwanis and Kurtas with Jackets
Modern grooms are open to experimenting with outfit options other than the classic sherwani, as they want to create their own dressing rules. Indo-western sherwanis or kurta sets with jackets are popular among grooms, creating the ideal contemporary aesthetic for wedding functions like reception and engagement ceremonies.
These are often lightweight compared to traditional sherwanis, allowing easier movement for action-packed pre-wedding events that involve lots of dancing and merrymaking.
Three‑Piece Suits
If you want to exude retro vibes for one of your wedding events, then a three-piece suit is an excellent choice for you. Unlike your regular suit, a three-piece suit comprises an additional waistcoat, adding style and suavity to your look.
The best part is that you can take off the coat or the waistcoat to modify your look as the event progresses. The waistcoat, which is the defining element, should fit you snugly without being too tight or loose.
Contemporary Tuxedos for Indian Grooms
Tuxedos are becoming exceedingly popular among Indian grooms for cocktail parties, receptions, and themed weddings. The polished attire exudes contemporary charm that would perfectly match a bride in a gown.
While sherwanis and other traditional outfits are the first choice for grooms, tuxedos offer a sophisticated dressing choice for evening events that require a sharp and modern aesthetic. Grooms can always add a personal touch by adding initials or other personal touches to the suit to make it reflect their personality as a groom.
Groom Dress Ideas by Function
As a groom, it is indispensable for you to curate a different outfit for every single occasion, rather than repeating. Here are some groom clothing ideas to get you started.
Engagement and Roka Outfit Ideas
The engagement and roka ceremony are usually one of the first ceremonies to kickstart the wedding festivities. For grooms, it is their chance to give everyone a peek into their personal style. Depending on the scale of the event, you can choose a suitable roka or engagement attire.
If it is a simple, intimate ceremony, a classic churidar kurta or a short kurta with a men’s bandi can never go wrong. For more elaborate settings, you can opt for a lightweight sherwani or an intricate Jodhpuri suit. Don’t forget to add all the ideal accessories like the safa, pocket square, jewellery, and traditional shoes to balance out the look.
Haldi and Mehendi Groom Looks
Next on the list comes the haldi and mehendi ceremony. For the haldi ceremony, a yellow kurta set will be a no-brainer choice. To make the look pop out even more, you can add a printed or embroidered bandi or Nehru jacket to your kurta set. Printed elements like Nehru jackets and mojaris can be added to elevate the look even further.
For the mehendi ceremony, you can experiment with your look a bit more. Kurta sets in contemporary cuts, Indo-western creations, or structured pathani suits are some of the popular picks for grooms. You can experiment with different cuts, colours, prints, and fabrics to create a look that caters to your style as well as the theme of the occasion.
Main Wedding Day Groom Dress Ideas
Sherwanis are the ultimate wedding attire for Indian grooms, offering grandeur, sophistication, and elegance in one. From the classic straight-fit sherwani to the more majestic anarkali ones, sherwanis have Indian grooms in a chokehold.
Tailored from luxurious fabrics like silk, brocade, and velvet, they feature intricate embroidered detailing, motifs, and embellishments to brighten up your wedding ensemble. Based on personal style, grooms can choose from a variety of sherwani styles, like the achkan, angrakha, Jodhpuri, or the anarkali, to showcase their best sartorial side.
Reception and Cocktail Night Outfits
Cocktail nights and reception parties often follow a semi-traditional/contemporary theme, and thus, the ideal outfits for grooms should match this theme. If you want to steer clear of the traditional wear for men at all costs, tuxedos and tailored suits are your best bet.
Choose a fabric and colour that will make you stand out. A classic black tuxedo is always a great choice, as it makes you look refined and put-together. If you want to make a statement, go for an embellished tuxedo.
Opt for Jodhpuri suits or Indo-western outfits if the theme demands semi-traditional attire. Tailored bandhgalas in captivating deep hues like black, burgundy, navy blue, or jewel tones, adorned with intricate embroidery and embellishments, enhance your nighttime look while making you look suitably dressed for the special occasion.
FAQ’s
Can a groom wear a tuxedo to an Indian wedding?
Yes, a groom can wear a tuxedo on his wedding day if it matches the theme or if their culture demands it. However, most Indian grooms choose to wear traditional attire like a sherwani or kurta and dhoti as their wedding attire.
Is a Pathani suit appropriate as groom wear for a wedding?
Most Indian grooms prefer to wear a sherwani or dhoti kurta on their wedding day, as they match the formality of the auspicious occasion. A pathani is more suitable for pre-wedding events like the roka, engagement, or mehendi ceremony.
Which is the best groom dress idea for a simple wedding?
For an intimate wedding, opt for a simple sherwani or achkan, with minimal embroidery. Choose a colour that will add vibrance and life to your outfit and not look dull. Add some statement jewellery pieces to bring life to your wedding attire.