The colour you wear at a function is not a small decision in Indian weddings. Some choices are expected, some are avoided, and the reasons behind them are worth knowing even if you decide to ignore them.

Haldi - yellow

Yellow is associated with turmeric itself, with the sun, and with new beginnings. Practically, it also hides turmeric stains better than anything else.

Also works: mehendi green, parrot green, orange, marigold shades.

Avoid: white, cream and pale shades, which stain permanently.

Mehendi - green

Green represents growth, prosperity and new life, and it echoes the mehendi itself. Bright greens photograph beautifully against mehendi decor.

Also works: yellow, orange, and multi-colour leheriya, which is traditional for this function in Rajasthan.

Practical note: keep sleeves short or push-up-able. Mehendi on a sleeve is permanent.

Sangeet - anything bright

The one function with no traditional colour rule. Sangeet is about celebration and movement, so choose something you can dance in.

Works well: jewel tones - rani pink, firozi, baingani, emerald. These photograph well under artificial light.

Practical note: avoid very heavy work. You will be on your feet for hours.

Wedding day - red and its family

Red is traditional for the bride across most of north India, associated with prosperity and with Goddess Durga.

For guests, the convention is to avoid red, or at least to avoid a bridal-looking red, so as not to compete with the bride. Maroon, rani pink, orange and gold are safe and festive.

Also traditional: in many communities, women in the family wear yellow or green rather than red.

Reception - richer and deeper

Receptions are usually evening events, which suits deeper shades - navy, wine, bottle green, black, and heavy gold work. Silk and velvet come into their own here.

Karva Chauth - red

Red or maroon, traditionally, and many women wear their wedding saree or something in the same family of colours.

Pujas and religious functions

Yellow, red, orange and white are all traditional depending on the deity and the occasion. Cotton and silk are preferred over synthetics in many households for temple visits.

What about black and white?

Both are traditionally avoided at weddings and auspicious functions in most north Indian communities - white is associated with mourning, and black with inauspiciousness.

This is changing, particularly in cities and at receptions, where black is now common. But at a traditional family function, especially in a smaller town, it is still worth thinking about. If in doubt, ask the family.

The practical summary

Function	Safe choice	Avoid
Haldi	Yellow, mustard	White, pale shades
Mehendi	Green, multicolour	Heavy sleeves
Sangeet	Bright jewel tones	Very heavy work
Wedding (guest)	Maroon, rani pink, gold	Bridal red, white
Reception	Deep shades, gold work	Very light day colours

You can shop by shade in our yellow, green, red and pink collections, or by function in haldi and mehendi.