The Groom's Wardrobe: Sherwani, Achkan, Bandhgala, Dhoti, Daura Suruwal, Suit

October 9, 2026 by Zorsay

Somewhere in Edison or Artesia a groom is holding a long coat in one hand and a short jacket in the other while three relatives argue about what each is called. This page is for him, and for the Tamil groom whose family expects a veshti, the Nepali groom whose uncle has opinions about dhaka, the Sikh groom working out what the gurdwara needs, and the genderfluid groom who wants the sherwani without the script. Terminology first, then every tradition's kit, then fabrics, headwear, outfit counts, and where to buy.

What is the difference between a bandhgala, a sherwani, and an achkan?

Length is what everyone can see, so start there.

The sherwani is the long one: a fitted, buttoned coat that "falls to below the knees," with a collarless, shirt, or stand-up Mandarin collar [1]. The Royal Ontario Museum adds "more tailored in fit," "Western-style buttons," and "a wider flare at the hem" [5].

The achkan is the knee-length one: "a knee length jacket worn by men in the Indian subcontinent," resembling the angarkha, traditionally with "a side opening tied with strings, known as baghal bandi" [2]. ROM calls it "a more loosefitting tunic with a stand-up collar" from which the sherwani evolved [5].

The bandhgala is the short one. Bandhgala means "closed neck"; it is a coat-and-trouser suit from Jodhpur State that "merges elements of traditional Indian attire with Western tailoring," refined by the 19th century into "a practical, waist-length jacket suitable for horse riding and polo" [3].

Rule of thumb, with the caveat that makers and sources vary: bandhgala to the hip, achkan around the knee, sherwani below it with flare.

Where the terminology is actually contested

Achkan versus sherwani. Sources disagree, so expect the same garment to be labeled differently from shop to shop. Wikipedia's Achkan article says achkans close at the side while "Sherwanis always have a straight opening at the front," and that "achkans are lengthier than sherwanis" [2]. Its Sherwani article says the opposite: "In India, the achkan has been generally worn, which is much shorter than the sherwani" [1]. Its Nehru jacket article puts the achkan "somewhere below the knees" [4]. Museums and makers mostly read the achkan as the shorter coat: ROM calls it looser, with the sherwani more tailored and flared [5], and Raghavendra Rathore calls the achkan "the knee-length coat" and the sherwani "little longer" with "massive flare from the waist" [42] (retailer). Deepees Jodhpur's shorthand is achkan "knee-length," sherwani "calf-length," bandhgala "hip-length" [41] (retailer). LACMA catalogues a 19th-century silk satin coat as "Man's Coat (sherwani or achkan)," center back 39.5 inches, so even museums hedge [6]. Practical answer: show the tailor a photo and agree on the hem, not the word.

Bandhgala versus jodhpuri versus Nehru jacket. Wikipedia treats Jodhpuri suit and bandhgala as one garment [3]. The Nehru jacket is "a hip-length tailored coat for men or women, with a mandarin collar," "a variation of the Jodhpuri jacket," often khadi [4]. The catch: Nehru "never wore this type of Nehru jacket" and "always preferred the traditional models more akin to Achkan or Sherwani"; the name only caught on after the 1940s, replacing an older "closed neck coat" label [4]. In a US shop, "Nehru jacket" means the light layering piece over a kurta; "bandhgala" or "jodhpuri" means the tailored suit jacket with trousers. Same collar, different construction.

Where the bandhgala came from. Jodhpur is the standard attribution, but Wikipedia also records the claim that its "origins date back to the 16th-century Mughal courts, particularly under Emperor Akbar," via the Rathore rulers of Marwar [3]. Indian Railways wore it as uniform from the late 19th century until January 2026, when the railways minister dropped it as a "colonial mindset" symbol, which the article notes is odd for an Indian garment [3].

Where the sherwani came from

Younger than most grooms think. Wikipedia dates it to 19th-century British India as "the European style court dress of regional Mughal nobles of northern India," first seen at Lucknow in the 1820s, evolving from Persian capes via the angarkha [1]. ROM puts the modern form at "the late 1880s" and says "the garment reflects the influence of British rule in India" [5]. The Salar Jung Museum has the Hyderabadi sherwani developing "during the last quarter of the 19th century" with "four pockets, two upper and two on the sides, and seven buttons," popular across the city under Nizams VI and VII [7]. Jinnah popularized the black formal sherwani on state occasions; it is Pakistan's national dress for men [1].

What does a North Indian groom wear? And a Pakistani groom?

The classic template: sherwani over kurta and churidar, stole on one shoulder, safa or pagri, sehra over the face for the baraat, mojari on the feet. In North India "the bridegroom usually wears a sherwani or a jodhpuri" with "a curtain of flowers which is called sehra" [31].

The sehra is a forehead garland of "flowers or beads," "tied to the groom's turban or Pagdi"; tying it just before he leaves is the sehra bandi [12]. The pagri or safa is "a long plain unstitched cloth" whose fabric and tie "indicates the region and the community of the wearer" [13]. In Seraiki weddings a Dastar Bandi places the turban to mark adulthood [18]. Mojari are Mughal-era mule-style leather shoes with uppers "embroidered and embellished with brass nails, cowry shells, mirrors, bells and ceramic beads" [34].

On the Pakistani side, at the mehndi "the groom will typically wear a casual black or white shalwar qameez, sherwani"; a Sindhi baraat groom wears "new white Salwar khamis," a turban, waistband, Ajrak shawl, and a red or pink veil, the "mor" [18]. HSY's retail map: kurta or shalwar kameez for mehndi, kurta-waistcoat or sherwani for the nikah, sherwani or kurta with "prince coat" for the baraat (black traditional), suit for the walima [40] (retailer).

For the nikah, Wezoree's Muslim groom guide says "attire should be clean, formal, and understated rather than overly elaborate," with suits working "particularly at walima receptions, evening parties, and multicultural celebrations" [32]. If a relative asks whether a sherwani is permissible, IslamQA's answer is "Yes" [33]. In Muslim weddings "it is also customary to wear a taqiyah all through the ceremony" [31]. See head covering modesty, wedding ceremony outfit, and baraat.

What does a Sikh groom wear, and what does the gurdwara require?

Sherwani or achkan with churidar, a dastar, a palla scarf over the shoulder, and a kirpan. A UK Sikh wedding photographer's explainer describes "a white Kurta with an Achkan or sometimes a Sherwani adorned with intricate embellishments. A beard and red/maroon turban complete the attire" [9]. Before the baraat "the groom's turban is tied by his father, and a ceremonial sword is given," his sister places "a Sehra, a garland of ribbons or pearls, over his face" [9].

The kirpan is "a blade that Khalsa Sikhs are required to wear as part of their religious uniform," one of the Five Ks mandated in 1699 [8]. The wedding sword is a longer ceremonial cousin. The TSA "explicitly prohibits the carrying of 'religious knives and swords' on one's person or in cabin baggage" [8], so for an out-of-state wedding it goes in checked luggage.

Gurdwara etiquette applies to everyone in the room: heads covered and shoes off [48]. A groom who does not wear a turban daily often wears one for the ceremony, though families vary. Plan the sherwani color around the dastar, not the reverse. Full detail in wedding ceremony outfit. See wedding color rules.

What do Gujarati and Rajasthani grooms wear?

Bandhgala country, with a sherwani for the pheras. Aza's Gujarati guide maps it: kediyu-dhotiyu or short kurtas for garba and sangeet; cotton kurta pajama for pithi with "a printed Nehru jacket during the puja"; "sherwani, classic bandhgala, or Pathani suit" with "a traditional turban (paagh/pagdi)" for the pheras; "a sharp tuxedo suit, velvet bandhgala jacket with trousers, or a stylish Jodhpuri suit" for the reception [43] (retailer).

The Rajasthani safa has variants "pencha, sela, and safa," a conventional size of "82 inches long and 8 inches wide," and a Rajput warrior history [13][11]. Jodhpur is where the bandhgala became a riding jacket [3], so a Jodhpuri at a Marwari reception is a homecoming, not a Western concession.

What does a Marathi groom wear?

Dhoti (dhotar [10]), kurta, pheta, mundavalya. The pheta is "a long piece of cloth wrapped around the head in a specific manner"; the Maratha style is the mundaso; everyday is plain white, but for festive occasions wearers "opt for vibrant colors and cloths adorned with golden threads (zari)" [11]. The Maharashtrian version runs "3.5 to 6 metres long and 1 metre wide" [13]. Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh wore phetas at their weddings, which is partly why the saffron pheta became diaspora shorthand for "Marathi groom" [11]. The mundavalya, pearl strands across the forehead, is listed as the Marathi counterpart of the sehra and is worn by both bride and groom [12].

What does a Bengali groom wear? And a Bangladeshi Muslim groom?

A Bengali Hindu groom wears a dhoti (dhuti [10]) and punjabi, the Bengali kurta, with a topor. Utsavpedia: "a silk dhoti which is teamed up with a Punjabi," dhotis "were generally white" though "these days the grooms don colored dhotis as well," the punjabi "has heavy embroidery," plus "chains and rings made from gold" [15]. The topor is "conical headgear traditionally worn by the Bengali groom ... for good luck," "fragile, made of sholapith and white in colour," and "traditionally given to the groom by the bride's family"; the bride wears the related mukut [14]. Dhotis also go to elder male relatives in the bou bhaat gift list [16].

A Bangladeshi Muslim wedding runs mehendi shondha, both gaye holuds, the biye, and the bou bhaat, with Hindu weddings on the same arc [17]. The sherwani is Bangladesh's wedding and Eid garment [1]; across South Asian Muslim weddings it is "the gold standard" [32]. Many Bangladeshi grooms pair the sherwani with a pagri for the biye and choose a second sherwani or a suit for the bou bhaat, though families vary.

What do Tamil and Telugu grooms wear?

The veshti (Tamil) or pancha (Telugu), a silk dhoti, with an angavastram over the shoulder and often a silk shirt or kurta. INTACH describes the pattu veshti and angavastram as a two-piece "unstitched cloth" set, "the iconic attire of South Indian men," "often worn during weddings" [19]. The panchakacham is the formal drape, cloth "passed in between the legs, tucked at the back" with front pleats, as opposed to the casual wrap "more commonly worn by farmers and martial artists" [10]. Get someone who knows how to tie it; a pre-stitched veshti is an acceptable Plan B, a badly tied panchakacham at the muhurtham is not.

At a Telugu madhuparkam "The groom wears a white dhoti with a red border," white for purity and red for strength; earlier, at the snatakam, "the groom is asked to wear a silver thread on his body" [20]. Sri Lankan Tamil Hindu grooms commonly wear the veshti as well, though customs vary by family.

What does a Malayali groom wear?

A kasavu mundu with a melmundu. The mundu is white or cream cotton with a woven border, the kara, which for weddings carries "golden embroidery known as kasavu" [21]. Two conventions a photo will not teach you: "For Hindu weddings, men have to wear Mundu along with either shirt or a mel mundu," and "Muslim men wear the mundu facing left side (kara facing left side), Christian and Hindu men wear the kara facing the right side" [21]. The melmundu is the upper cloth, the Malayali angavastram [21].

What does a Kannada groom wear?

Panche (the Kannada dhoti [10]), shirt or kurta, angavastram, and the Mysore peta: "an opulent formal turban, originally worn by the Kings of Mysore," silk or cotton with gold or silver lace, now formal attire for weddings, religious gatherings, and award ceremonies, particularly in Mysuru and Kodagu [22][13]. Muhurtham in panche and peta; reception in sherwani or bandhgala.

What does a Nepali groom wear?

Daura suruwal with a coat and dhaka topi. The daura is "a closed-neck shirt with five pleats and eight strings that serve to tie it around the body," the suruwal "tight along the legs but wide at the hips," and the coat a 19th-century addition after Jang Bahadur Rana received one from the British Queen; the eight strings are said to stand for the Astamatrika, the pleats for the Pancha Buddha, the closed neck for Shiva's serpent [23]. It "evolved from the traditional Tapālan worn by Newar men" [24].

The fabric question is live. In 2021 Kathmandu tailors reported "around 75 per cent of his customers are choosing to wear brocade" and "less than 5 per cent of people have chosen to put on Dhaka groom sets," a decade after dhaka had displaced the Western suit; the full set is daura-suruwal, dhaka topi, velvet shawl, belt, shoes; tailors worried because "Brocade is mostly Indian and Dhaka is manufactured in Nepal only" [26]. For a diaspora groom who wants to make a point, dhaka is the point.

Newari grooms have the tapalan and suruwa, "a long shirt called tapālan and tight fitting trousers known as suruwā," with optional waistcoat and coat, patuka, and topi, "also worn during wedding processions" [25].

What does a Sri Lankan groom wear?

A Sinhalese groom at a Kandyan Poruwa wears the Nilame costume, the Mul Anduma: "Inspired by royal attire, this includes a Mul Anduma (white sarong), velvet jacket, embellished headdress, and ornate accessories like a sword or dagger" [27]; another account lists "white shirt, sarong, and jacket" with the Nilame hat [28]. In the ancient period it "was reserved for the most upper class of families," made "out of silk or sheik textiles with embedded jewels and extensive embroidery work" [29]. The Poruwa itself "appears to have existed since the 3rd century B.C." [29]. Sri Lankan Tamil grooms commonly wear the veshti described above, though customs vary by family.

What does a Parsi groom wear?

A white dagli and a feta. The lagan takes place after sunset at a baug or agiary, and the groom wears "the traditional Parsi dagli and feta a white kurta like garment and a black cap" [30]. Nothing in a lagan asks for a sherwani; color, if wanted, goes to the reception.

What does a South Asian Christian groom wear?

A suit, usually. Christian marriage in India is "mostly an adaptation of white weddings" and "The bridegroom usually wears a black suit or tuxedo"; South Canara Christian grooms wore dhotis until about the 1960s [31]. Kerala Christian grooms can wear mundu-and-shirt, since mundu conventions include Christians [21]. The reception is where a Christian groom with Punjabi or Malayali roots pulls out a sherwani or bandhgala.

What does a Hyderabadi Muslim groom wear?

Sherwani with a dastar. The Salar Jung Museum lists the full Nizam-era attire as dastar, sherwani (or angarkha or choga), patka sash, churidar, and slip-on shoes, with the dastar "in many colours; white, green, pink and yellow," marking family lineage; special-occasion sherwanis used "gold threads, kimkhab, zarbaft, mushajjar, himroo," and Salar Jung II "introduced handloom sherwanis" [7]. A Hyderabadi groom in himroo is wearing a documented court fabric; it is worth tracking down.

When does a jacket and kurta beat the full sherwani?

When it is not the ceremony, when it is hot, when you will dance, or when you are not tall. Rathore: "the Sherwani restricts its wearer, who needs to be tall for the flare and the length to fall in the right proportion" [42] (retailer). Wezoree's map: kurta set or bandhgala for the engagement; "an inexpensive, simple kurta that can survive turmeric paste" for haldi; light cotton or georgette kurta for mehndi; bandhgala or embellished kurta "built for actual movement on the dance floor" for sangeet; "a complete sherwani at minimum, paired with a proper pagdi" for the ceremony; bandhgala or lighter sherwani for the reception [39]. The Nehru jacket over a kurta is the daytime and puja layer [43] (retailer). See sangeet and reception outfit.

Can a groom wear a suit at a South Asian wedding?

Yes, at the right event: the walima [40] (retailer) [32], receptions across Hindu traditions [39][43], Christian ceremonies [31], and Nepali weddings, where the suit was the default before the dhaka revival [26]. Not at the pheras, the Anand Karaj, the Poruwa, the muhurtham, or the lagan; the ceremony outfit carries meaning a suit cannot.

Which fabrics suit which season and event?

• Jamawar. "A special type of shawl made in Kashmir" (jama, robe; war, yard), developed under Akbar, finest in pashmina with brocaded silk, usually floral with the kairy motif [35]. Heavy, warm. Winter sherwani, baraat. See jamawar.
• Banarsi brocade. Varanasi's "gold and silver brocade or zari," a Mughal-era specialty, GI-protected since 2009 to six Uttar Pradesh districts [36]. The source covers saris; the same looms make sherwani yardage. Ceremony, evening. See banarsi.
• Bosky (boski). Pakistani formal kurta cloth. "Traditional Bosky was 100% natural silk"; modern bosky uses silk alternatives, partly over Islamic guidance against silk for men, and is "lightweight," "breathable," with "royal shine" [38] (retailer). Nikah, mehndi, qawwali. See bosky.
• Raw silk, velvet, georgette. Velvet "embraces drama and warmth, making it the best choice for winter events"; "Georgette and chanderi handle summer weddings without trapping heat like velvet or heavy brocade do" [39].
• Khaddar (khadi). "Hand-spun and woven natural fibre cloth," cotton or sometimes silk or wool, which "remains cool in summer and warm in winter" [37]. Haldi, mehndi, daytime, and the Nehru jacket's material [4].
• Linen. Nikah and daytime [32].
• Dhaka and brocade. Nepal's handwoven cloth versus the imported alternative [26].
• Kasavu. Kerala's gold border on cotton mundu [21].

Embroidery runs across all of these; ROM lists zardozi, gota, and danka as the sherwani's usual embellishments [5]. See zardozi.

What goes on the groom's head, by tradition?

How many outfits does a groom need across the week?

Fewer than the bride, more than you think. "Most grooms find that they need three to five different styles over the course of a full wedding week" [39]; for Pakistani weddings, "two to three different outfits are enough ... however, he may need more, depending on the number of events" [40] (retailer).

Ceremony and reception are fixed; everything else can share. One good kurta set covers mehndi and the morning of; buy a throwaway for haldi. See how many outfits.

Should you buy in South Asia, in the US, or go custom?

In South Asia you get the widest range and the most tailors; the cost is the flight and the fittings, which is why many grooms shop on a family trip and alter at home.

In the US, South Asian bridal districts and specialty stores stock ready-to-wear bandhgalas, sherwanis, stoles, and mojaris, so a full trip is not required for a reception look. Ready-to-alter is the fastest route.

Custom, shipped. Embroidered custom work needs time for the build, shipping, and alterations. Start months ahead, send measurements taken by a tailor rather than estimated, and leave room for a second fitting.

Renting is more established in India than in the US. It can work for a reception or a second look; for the main ceremony, fit is the whole game and rentals rarely fit.

Whatever the route: the churidar needs the most alteration, settle the hem length on the garment itself (achkan around the knee, sherwani below it [5][41]), and have the safa tied by someone who has tied one before.

How do genderfluid grooms and masc-presenting brides adapt these garments?

The garments were never as gendered as the shops suggest, and the industry has caught up. The Nod reports 2025 Indian bridalwear with "brides and grooms borrowing from each other": Alia Bhatt in an ivory Shantnu Nikhil sherwani with a draped skirt, Khushi Kapoor in a gilded Kunal Rawal bandhgala, Palak Shah in a mint bandhgala-and-dhoti set [44]. Rimple Narula suggests layering "a tailored bandhgala, cropped sherwani, or structured waistcoat" over a choli; Rawal suggests grooms swap "the classic sherwani trouser for a kalidar kurta, churidar, or even a pleated skirt," and says "Our pieces aren't performatively masculine or feminine—they're simply about owning the craft" [44].

Masala Thai lists the sherwani, kurta, dhoti, angrakha, and sari as gender-inclusive staples; the sherwani, "Originally formal menswear," is now "worn by women and others for a bold look," and it notes that a lungi/dhoti-type garment, historically worn by men, has become gender neutral in recent years [45]. Couples have done it for years: at a California wedding Bianca Maieli wore an ivory sari and Saima Ahmad a sherwani with dupatta and pearl mala, "incorporating facets of both cultures in a way that was respectful and personalised at the same time" [46]. Offbeat Wed's nonbinary styling makes the same structural point outside the desi context, one corset worn with a ball gown and then leather pants, "masc, femme, and 'none of the above, thank you for asking'" [47].

Practical notes:

• Achkan and bandhgala are the easiest entry points; the sherwani's hem flare is what reads most "groom," so a cropped sherwani or achkan softens it if you want it softened [44].
• Dhoti-kurta, veshti-angavastram, and mundu-shirt are unstitched and sit on anyone; there is no "women's veshti."
• Headwear carries the gender code more than the coat. A safa or pheta on a bride is a statement; a sehra is a stronger one; no headwear is the quiet route.
• Ceremony rules (head covering at the gurdwara, taqiyah at a nikah, the topor as the bride's family's gift) attach to the role, not the gender. Ask the officiant early; see head covering modesty.

FAQ

Is a bandhgala the same as a Jodhpuri suit? Yes; Wikipedia treats them as one garment, a closed-neck coat with trousers from Jodhpur State [3]. "Jodhpuri" often implies the full suit; "bandhgala" sometimes just the jacket.

Is a Nehru jacket a bandhgala? Same collar, different thing. The Nehru jacket is "a variation of the Jodhpuri jacket," hip-length, often khadi [4], but in shops it means the light layer over a kurta, not a tailored suit jacket. Nehru never wore it; he preferred achkan-style coats [4].

Can a Muslim groom wear a sherwani? IslamQA's answer to that exact question is "Yes" [33]. Fabric is the live issue: traditional bosky was pure silk and modern versions use alternatives partly over guidance against silk for men [38] (retailer). Ask your own imam if it matters to your family.

Does a Sikh groom have to carry a kirpan? Khalsa Sikhs wear the kirpan at all times as one of the Five Ks [8]. Many non-initiated grooms carry a ceremonial sword for the day, given at the turban-tying before the baraat [9]. Flying? Checked baggage; the TSA bars religious knives and swords from the cabin [8].

What is the difference between a veshti, a mundu, and a dhoti? Regional names for a wrapped lower garment: veshti and mundu in the South, dhuti in Bengal, dhotra in Kannada and Marathi, panchakacham for the formal southern drape [10]. The mundu is Kerala's, with a kara border and kasavu gold for weddings [21].

Can a bride wear a sherwani? Yes, and designers are building for it: 2025 bridal coverage lists brides in Shantnu Nikhil sherwanis and Kunal Rawal bandhgalas [44], and US couples have done it [46].

How early should I order a custom sherwani from India? Several months ahead, to allow for embroidery, shipping, and alterations. Makers differ on lead times, so ask for a written timeline before you pay.

Should a Nepali groom wear dhaka or brocade? Either is current. By 2021 most Kathmandu grooms chose brocade, but dhaka is the Nepal-made cloth tailors worry about losing [26]. Diaspora grooms often pick dhaka because it is the identifiable one.

This page is one branch of the Shaadi Dressing Guide, which covers brides, guests, parents, and every event in the week. If you want the next page as it publishes, the guide's email list is the place.

Sources

Accessed 2026-10-08.

1. Wikipedia – Sherwani — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherwani
2. Wikipedia – Achkan — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achkan
3. Wikipedia – Bandhgala (Jodhpuri suit) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandhgala
4. Wikipedia – Nehru jacket — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nehru_jacket
5. Royal Ontario Museum – Sherwani — https://www.rom.on.ca/magazine/sherwani
6. LACMA Collections – Man's Coat (sherwani or achkan), 19th century — https://collections.lacma.org/object/270981
7. Google Arts & Culture / Salar Jung Museum – Deccani men's fashion (sherwani, dastar) — https://artsandculture.google.com/story/7AWRCVma2AEdKQ
8. Wikipedia – Kirpan — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirpan
9. photosbyKISHEN – Sikh Wedding Ceremony explained — https://photosbykishen.co.uk/blog/sikh-wedding-ceremony
10. Wikipedia – Dhoti — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhoti
11. Wikipedia – Pheta — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pheta
12. Wikipedia – Sehra (headdress) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sehra_(headdress)
13. Wikipedia – Pagri (turban) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagri_(turban)
14. Wikipedia – Topor (headgear) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topor_(headgear)
15. Utsavpedia – Bengali wedding attire — https://www.utsavpedia.com/?p=7617
16. Wikipedia – Bengali Hindu wedding — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengali_Hindu_wedding
17. Wikipedia – Weddings in Bangladesh — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weddings_in_Bangladesh
18. Wikipedia – Marriage in Pakistan — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage_in_Pakistan
19. INTACH Intangible Cultural Heritage Archive – Pattu Veshti Angavastram Set — https://icharchive.intach.org/Myheritagedetail/Index?id=179
20. Wikipedia – Telugu Hindu wedding — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telugu_Hindu_wedding
21. Wikipedia – Mundu — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mundu
22. Wikipedia – Mysore Peta — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysore_Peta
23. Wikipedia – Daura-Suruwal — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daura-Suruwal
24. Nepal Traveller – Daura Suruwal: The Outfit of Nepali Men — https://nepaltraveller.com/sidetrack/daura-suruwal-the-outfit-of-nepali-men
25. Wikipedia – Newar traditional clothing — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newar_traditional_clothing
26. OnlineKhabar – Nepali grooms are giving up Dhaka, go for brocade (2021) — https://english.onlinekhabar.com/nepali-grooms-are-giving-up-dhaka-go-for-brocade.html
27. HIDMC – Traditional wedding ceremonies in Sri Lanka — https://www.hidmc.com/blog-posts/traditional-wedding-ceremonies-in-sri-lanka
28. Lanka Websites – The Poruwa Ceremony: Kandyan Wedding Tradition — https://lankawebsites.com/blog/culture-traditions/the-poruwa-ceremony-kandyan-wedding-tradition
29. life.lk – Cultural Weddings: Kandyan — https://www.life.lk/article_new/reviews/cultural-weddings/56/12944
30. Indianetzone – Parsi Wedding — https://www.indianetzone.com/2/customs_parsi_wedding.htm
31. Wikipedia – Indian wedding clothes — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_wedding_clothes
32. Wezoree – Muslim Groom Attire Guide — https://wezoree.com/inspiration/muslim-groom-attire-guide/
33. IslamQA – Can Muslim bridegrooms wear wedding sherwani suits? — https://islamqa.org/?p=105632
34. Wikipedia – Sindhi Mojari (via Mojari) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojari
35. Wikipedia – Jamawar — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamawar
36. Wikipedia – Banarasi sari — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banarasi_sari
37. Wikipedia – Khadi — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khadi
38. Narkins (retailer) – Bosky fabric guide — https://narkins.com/blogs/narkins-fabrics/narkin-s-premium-100-original-bosky-fabric-for-men-s-shalwar-kameez-the-ultimate-guide-history-manufacturing-quality-price
39. Wezoree – Indian Groom Outfit Guide: Sherwani, Kurta, Bandhgala & Accessories — https://wezoree.com/inspiration/indian-groom-outfit-guide-sherwani-kurta-bandhgala-accessories/
40. HSY (retailer) – How many outfits does a groom need for a Pakistani wedding — https://theworldofhsy.com/blogs/hsy-gazette/how-many-outfits-does-a-groom-need-for-a-pakistani-wedding
41. Deepees Jodhpur (retailer) – Achkan vs Sherwani vs Bandhgala — https://deepeesjodhpur.com/achkan-vs-sherwani-vs-bandhgala-whats-the-difference-when-to-wear-what/
42. Raghavendra Rathore (retailer) – Achkan or Sherwani — https://rathore.com/blogs/news/achkan-or-sherwani
43. Aza Fashions (retailer) – Gujarati wedding festive flair — https://www.azafashions.com/blog/gujarati-wedding-festive-flair/
44. The Nod – 2025's biggest bridal trend sees brides and grooms borrowing from each other — https://thenodmag.com/content/2025-s-biggest-bridal-trend-sees-brides-and-grooms-borrowing-from-each-other
45. Masala Thai – Six desi items to add to your gender-inclusive wardrobe — https://www.masalathai.com/fashion/six-desi-items-to-add-to-your-gender-inclusive-wardrobe
46. PinkNews – Lesbian wedding of Pakistani-Indian couple, wearing sari and sherwani — https://www.thepinknews.com/2019/09/02/lesbian-pak
47. Offbeat Wed – Nonbinary wedding outfit — https://offbeatwed.com/nonbinary-wedding-outfit
48. Tampa Gurdwara – Gurdwara etiquette — https://tampagurdwara.com/gurdwara-etiquette/

Featured image: Groom's turban receiving a kalgi jewel at a pre-wedding ritual. Photo: KishenB101 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.