Your wedding guest calendar is not relevant to Indian summers. You have a beautiful wedding to attend; the weather is around 43°C with no signs of cooling off; plus, that splendid lehenga you wore to this wedding is going to weigh you down if you have to wear it for three hours.

So, the outfit you wear is a large part of how you feel for the next 6 hours. If your party on the night of the wedding is over with a sweaty blouse, or lifting and tugging at that embroidered heavy when attending the baraat is not good vibes.

So, when would you think about dressing for Indian summer weddings? In addition to being comfortable and stylish, dressing for Indian summer weddings is about not wearing an outfit that screams, "I gave up on fashion because I wanted something comfortable or breathable."

Fabric First: Everything Else Follows

When thinking about your colour and silhouette, consider the fabric that is touching your body. The wrong fabric choice will be the cause of your "I was so uncomfortable" stories about Indian summer weddings.

Ideal Fabrics for Indian Summer Weddings:

Muslin: Very soft, very airy; the more you wear it, the more comfortable it gets. Muslin suit sets work very well for day events, such as haldi and mehendi, when the day bunches into the following day.

Organza: The sheer structure of organza makes this a great option for keeping you cool during the hot summer months. With the addition of this textile to your existing wardrobe, you can look fashionable without weighing yourself down. The fabric of organza holds its shape; this will help ensure that you are looking pulled together, even in the heat.

Cotton: Cotton fabric for the festive season. For many hundreds of years, cotton ethnic wear has been popular due to its ability to absorb sweat and release heat (from body to air). So do not dismiss cotton just because it looks "too casual" if you find the right shape/cut to use for your occasion, as it will enhance your outfit further by complementing your figure.

Chanderi: A mixture of silk and cotton threads ensures that Chanderi retains the sheen/brightness of silk while allowing the breathability of cotton for longer periods without becoming hot.

Fabrics you should avoid wearing for summertime functions that last all day include: Velvet (too heavy a fabric), Heavy Banarasi Silk, and any or all types of heavy Brocade.

The Best Outfits for Summer for an Indian Wedding: By Function

All weddings don't have the same dress code, and summer heat will feel completely different during a Noon Sangeet compared to a 7 PM Reception. With this being said, here is how to properly dress from Function to Function at a wedding.

Mehendi & Haldi; Wear something light; and keep it easy! 

This is usually the function where most of us get overheated, as both functions are all day, when applying colour, sitting on the floor, dancing; these are physical.

For this reason, think about having some freshly pressed lightweight cotton, floral, or earth tone fabrics that include relaxed-fit kurta's with palazzo pants (or either of these pairs), sleeveless A-line dresses that are both above the knee (basically short dresses). These will provide you enough motion to do all your activities without adding any weight to your outfit.

As well as traditional ethnic matching, coordinate sets of kurta + pant, skirt + choli + ghagra (the coordinate sets will look as though you put effort behind putting your outfit together with matching pieces, without spending too much time coordinating them).

Sangeet: Colour, Movement, Breathability

At the sangeet, people like to look beautiful yet have many opportunities to dance. A breathable lehenga for a destination wedding will be made from georgette or tissue and will give you a lehenga silhouette without the bulk of one. Look for less layered skirts and fewer beads or embellishments on the top.

Indo-Western outfits are also made for this. A cropped jacket over a skirt, or a palazzo set with statement embroidery, provides you with a festive feel, while still allowing you to be lighter than you would if wearing traditional bridal clothing.

Wedding Reception: The One That You Want To Look Effortlessly Good

When it comes to figuring out what you should wear to a reception, many people will stress too much about the dress code. People feel inclined to choose "heavier" outfits, so that they look more formal for the reception; however, when you are in 42 degrees Celsius weather, this philosophy has little merit.  

Choosing a lightweight, yet beautifully designed organza outfit (in one of the jewel tones, emerald, burgundy, navy) will look amazing in photos and is considered formal on its own merit, but does not retain the body heat of a traditional outfit.  

The other trend for summer receptions is traditional ethnic outfits in pastel colours. These light colours will look beautiful when viewed in both natural outdoor light and indoor lighting. Light colours will also feel cool against the skin. 

Silhouettes: That Work in Summer Heat

Fit is as important as fabric; a breathable fabric can feel suffocating if it is cut poorly.

Anarkali is a flared style that allows air to flow freely. You're basically wearing something similar to a tent, only it's the best kind of tent possible.

A straight-cut kurta worn with wide-leg pants is classy while being an easy and comfortable outfit. There is no extra summer heat getting trapped in the lower half of your body with this combination.

A woman wearing a shrug set can layer up without weighing down or feeling too hot, and have the option to remove it if she feels too hot. A shrug adds versatility and practicality to any outfit.

A structured designer kurta worn with fitted or palazzo pants achieves that perfect balance of looking pulled together and being very comfortable. Perfect for guests who wish to look fashionable yet still comfortable, without having to wear an entire lehenga.

Practical and functional, mid-tone colours will match your summer wedding look, whether or not it is wet or dry outside. It is possible to wear dark colours during the summer, but they absorb heat and cause sweating. The right colour for summer is somewhere in the mid-tones.

The BEST colours for summer weddings are:

Pastel colours: powder blue, peach, sage green, blush

Warm white, ivory (allows you to look nice and not outshine the bride)

Coral, turmeric, rust (have a vivid look and feel but are not very heavy)

Soft teal, aqua (not commonly worn in summertime, but amazing colours under the summer sun)

Don't wear black or very dark navy to an outdoor venue. You can save your black or dark navy for evening, air-conditioned venues. 

Practical Suggestions That Help

The outfit is just the beginning. Here are a few choices you can make that will help you feel less heavy:

Fewer Layers: Wearing a modestly styled dupatta instead of two layers of either a poorly styled dupatta or two layers of another fabric still looks better than the former. Only add layers when there is a good reason to do so.

Lighter Jewelry: Wearing shiny or heavy statement necklaces will cause you to feel hot and uncomfortable. Wearing one statement earring and one minimalistic necklace would give weight to the same necklace-less outfit, but my friend, that is at least twice as much.

Use Appropriate Footwear: Using a wedge, block heel, or similar type of shoe will allow you to remain stable on grass and outdoor venues vs. wearing a pair of stiletto heels. Consequently, they will be less tiring on your feet at the end of your event.

Using a Small Clutch Bag: If you use a heavy tote bag with a lot of items in it, you'll carry more weight with you and will be more fatigued than if you use a small clutch bag.

Where to Find Clothing That Does All Of These Things

Most companies don't make it easy for you to pick between comfort and style. The Idaho Clothing line is built around that principle so that you don't have to pick. Its women's ethnic wear is made from fabric, such as muslin, chanderi, and organza fabrics, designed specifically to accommodate women who attend events where they cannot afford to be in discomfort for six hours straight.

Idaho Clothing carries a wide variety of summer ethnic clothing, such as lehengas made from lightweight fabric, comfortable muslin fabric suits, and clothing that flows rather than restricts your movements; there is also a large selection of cotton-based ethnic outfits and wedding guest attire. 

Conclusion: 

Long, warm, and unpredictable are terms used to describe Indian summer weddings. The outfits used in this environment have to endure this time period, not just the first few hours, while all is still fresh.

Choosing the fabric of your outfit first, the silhouette second, and the colour last will give you the best results. The styles to use are the last variable to consider, not the first variable to choose.

The enjoyment of comfortable and fashionable styles of dress will take some more consideration than just reaching for the heaviest lehenga you have in your closet because it is "festive".

Choose the outfit you want to wear to an entire event and not just for a few pictures. 

FAQ’s 

Which fabric is best for summer weddings?

The ideal fabrics will include organza; muslin; cotton; and chanderi because they are all lightweight, breathable (cooling properties), and can all be decorated nicely for special occasions. 

What should women wear to hot weather weddings?

Women should look for co-ords, anarkalis, or light-weight suits made from breathable material; avoid heavy embroidery and multiple layers; and, most of all, comfort is going to be more important at the end of the function than at the beginning of the function. 

Are lehengas comfortable for summer weddings?

Yes, if you choose a lehenga made of georgette or tissue; if it has fewer layers; if it doesn't have a lot of embellishment, and if the fabric is made of a breathable material; then wearing a lehenga will not feel heavy after several hours. 

What colors are best for daytime weddings? 

Colors that work best during the day are pastel colors; coral colors; soft yellows and warm whites, as they reflect a lot of sunlight and create a cooler sensation against your body than darker colors (which absorb heat).