Dressing like locals to a Nepali wedding
Given that there are around 125 ethnicities in Nepal and most, if not all, have their own traditional ethnic dress, it will take a lot of time and effort to list them all. So, this post will only focus on the most common traditional dresses you can wear to a Nepali wedding.
Note I: If you are invited to multiple events, you would usually wear different dresses (not necessarily different kinds). You can also wear traditional dress for one event and go western for the rest.
Note II: All these dresses (the top at least) are usually tailored to your body measurements. You can also find ready made ones but they usually still need to be fitted. Allow at least one day to have your dress fitted.
Note III: Most of the images linked as example are from the higher end.
Saree
Usually worn by married women but close family members and friends of the bride or the groom can also adorn a Saree to a wedding. It consists of three parts: a (crop) top, a petticoat and a long drape that is wrapped around the waist, with one end draped over the shoulder. There are many different styles of draping a Saree but all of them are not very easy, especially for a beginner. Not very easy to wear and not very easy to handle but looks very elegant. Example: https://bit.ly/2TpwtR6, https://bit.ly/2SrKXyT
Wear it with: Flats or kitten heels or heels but no flip flops (unless wearing casually) and never with sneakers (not even casually).
Accessorises: Necklace, earrings and bangles (highly recommended to wear all three). Added tika will be a cherry on top.
Material: Chiffon, cotton, silk, georgette, brocade, you name it and they will have it (maybe not denim). Brocade, however, is reserved for the bride and the close married female family members of the bride and the groom (their mothers and sisters).
Colour: Available in all colours under the sky. Red is generally associated with married women. Stay off plain black and plain white saree though (white saree is worn only by the mourning widows). Any of these colours mixed with other colours will be fine.
Price: 20 EUR - XXX,XXX EUR. Expect to pay ~60 EUR for a decent one.
Kurta Suruwal
Less formal than Saree but much easier to wear and handle. Consists of a long top, a pair of trousers (or a long skirt) and a shawl. There are different styles of top and trousers to choose from. Usually tailored to your body measurements, so you might need to order it at least a few days in advance. Example: https://bit.ly/2AGzvbe, https://bit.ly/2FTy7rN
Wear it with: Flats or kitten heels or heels for weddings, might get away with flip flops and even sneakers if wearing casually.
Accessorises: Necklace, earrings and maybe bangles. Depending on the cut of the top, you can get away with not wearing a necklace. Add tika to really get the traditional vibe.
Material: Like Saree, available in many different materials. Also denim.
Colour: Available in all glorious shades but again, stay off plain black and plain white kurta. You can wear a plain black or plain white top or bottom or shawl but add at least one colourful component to your dress.
Price: Usually cheaper than Saree. Expect to pay ~50 EUR for a party kurta.
Lehenga
Borrowed from Southern part of Nepal and India. Consists of a crop top, long flowy skirt and a long shawl. Very easy to wear and handle. Requires less time to tailor. Example: https://bit.ly/2FvoU8K, https://bit.ly/2BePY84
Wear it with: Flats or kitten heels or heels. No flip flops and no sneakers.
Accessories: Earrings and bangles. Depending on the cut of the top, you can get away with not wearing a necklace. Add tika to glam your look up.
Material: Mostly the same as Saree.
Colour: Available in all shades but again, stay off plain black and plain white.
Price: 25 EUR - XXX,XXX EUR. Expect to pay ~60-100 EUR for a decent lehenga.
Daura Suruwal
Consists of three parts: daura, suruwal and topi. Daura is a shirt-like clothing tied together by four sets of string, with one side overlapping another. Suruwal is a trouser, loose on the thighs and narrows down to the ankle. Topi is a traditional Nepali hat made of dhaka (traditional hand woven fabric). You can either get a colourful topi or a plain black one. You might need some assistance wearing it the first time (or at least have someone show you how to wear it). Example: https://bit.ly/2Q7rjun, https://bit.ly/2QUxcsa (just don't wear it with those sneakers)
Wear it with: Coat or a waistcoat. Usually dress shoes, maybe converse sometimes. No flip flops.
Accessories: Could do with no accessory at all but you can also go all bling bling, your call.
Material: Cotton and dhaka. Dhaka is only reserved for the grooms though.
Colour: White, off-white and grey.
Price: 30 EUR - XXXX EUR. Expect to pay ~50 EUR for an express order (only includes daura surwal and topi, does not include coat but you can wear your suit jacket. Alternatively, you can get the whole set, with the coat, for ~100 EUR).
Note I: If you are invited to multiple events, you would usually wear different dresses (not necessarily different kinds). You can also wear traditional dress for one event and go western for the rest.
Note II: All these dresses (the top at least) are usually tailored to your body measurements. You can also find ready made ones but they usually still need to be fitted. Allow at least one day to have your dress fitted.
Note III: Most of the images linked as example are from the higher end.
The Ladies
There are three most common dresses you can choose from.Saree
Usually worn by married women but close family members and friends of the bride or the groom can also adorn a Saree to a wedding. It consists of three parts: a (crop) top, a petticoat and a long drape that is wrapped around the waist, with one end draped over the shoulder. There are many different styles of draping a Saree but all of them are not very easy, especially for a beginner. Not very easy to wear and not very easy to handle but looks very elegant. Example: https://bit.ly/2TpwtR6, https://bit.ly/2SrKXyT
Wear it with: Flats or kitten heels or heels but no flip flops (unless wearing casually) and never with sneakers (not even casually).
Accessorises: Necklace, earrings and bangles (highly recommended to wear all three). Added tika will be a cherry on top.
Material: Chiffon, cotton, silk, georgette, brocade, you name it and they will have it (maybe not denim). Brocade, however, is reserved for the bride and the close married female family members of the bride and the groom (their mothers and sisters).
Colour: Available in all colours under the sky. Red is generally associated with married women. Stay off plain black and plain white saree though (white saree is worn only by the mourning widows). Any of these colours mixed with other colours will be fine.
Price: 20 EUR - XXX,XXX EUR. Expect to pay ~60 EUR for a decent one.
Kurta Suruwal
Less formal than Saree but much easier to wear and handle. Consists of a long top, a pair of trousers (or a long skirt) and a shawl. There are different styles of top and trousers to choose from. Usually tailored to your body measurements, so you might need to order it at least a few days in advance. Example: https://bit.ly/2AGzvbe, https://bit.ly/2FTy7rN
Wear it with: Flats or kitten heels or heels for weddings, might get away with flip flops and even sneakers if wearing casually.
Accessorises: Necklace, earrings and maybe bangles. Depending on the cut of the top, you can get away with not wearing a necklace. Add tika to really get the traditional vibe.
Material: Like Saree, available in many different materials. Also denim.
Colour: Available in all glorious shades but again, stay off plain black and plain white kurta. You can wear a plain black or plain white top or bottom or shawl but add at least one colourful component to your dress.
Price: Usually cheaper than Saree. Expect to pay ~50 EUR for a party kurta.
Lehenga
Borrowed from Southern part of Nepal and India. Consists of a crop top, long flowy skirt and a long shawl. Very easy to wear and handle. Requires less time to tailor. Example: https://bit.ly/2FvoU8K, https://bit.ly/2BePY84
Wear it with: Flats or kitten heels or heels. No flip flops and no sneakers.
Accessories: Earrings and bangles. Depending on the cut of the top, you can get away with not wearing a necklace. Add tika to glam your look up.
Material: Mostly the same as Saree.
Colour: Available in all shades but again, stay off plain black and plain white.
Price: 25 EUR - XXX,XXX EUR. Expect to pay ~60-100 EUR for a decent lehenga.
The Gentlemen
The gentlemen, unfortunately (or fortunately), don't have a lot to choose from. There is just one common traditional dress for the guys, the national dress.Daura Suruwal
Consists of three parts: daura, suruwal and topi. Daura is a shirt-like clothing tied together by four sets of string, with one side overlapping another. Suruwal is a trouser, loose on the thighs and narrows down to the ankle. Topi is a traditional Nepali hat made of dhaka (traditional hand woven fabric). You can either get a colourful topi or a plain black one. You might need some assistance wearing it the first time (or at least have someone show you how to wear it). Example: https://bit.ly/2Q7rjun, https://bit.ly/2QUxcsa (just don't wear it with those sneakers)
Wear it with: Coat or a waistcoat. Usually dress shoes, maybe converse sometimes. No flip flops.
Accessories: Could do with no accessory at all but you can also go all bling bling, your call.
Material: Cotton and dhaka. Dhaka is only reserved for the grooms though.
Colour: White, off-white and grey.
Price: 30 EUR - XXXX EUR. Expect to pay ~50 EUR for an express order (only includes daura surwal and topi, does not include coat but you can wear your suit jacket. Alternatively, you can get the whole set, with the coat, for ~100 EUR).