So you're heading to India for the first time? Get ready to experience a country that will gently assault every single one of your senses in the most spectacular way possible. India doesn't just welcome you – it wraps you in a warm hug, feeds you the most incredible food you've ever tasted, and then casually asks if you want some chai. Welcome to a place where color, chaos, and joy collide in the most beautiful way!
The India Survival Kit (Essential Life Hacks)
February Weather = Pure Luck
February in Bangalore is absolute perfection – think warm, pleasant days and cool evenings with zero monsoon drama. I packed way too many clothes thinking I'd need layers, but really you just need light cotton for the day and maybe one warm layer for evenings. Time to trade those Dutch rain boots for some sparkly Indian sandals!
Getting Around (It's An Adventure)
Dutch traffic has nothing on Indian traffic – it's like a beautifully choreographed dance where somehow everyone knows the steps except you. Download Uber immediately. Auto-rickshaws are adorable but always negotiate the fare first (or just book them via Uber). And yes, that 20-minute journey Google Maps promised? Add another 30 minutes and enjoy the ride.
Language Adventures
English is widely spoken, but learning "Namaste" (hello/goodbye), "Dhanyawad" (thank you), and "Kitna?" (how much?) will earn you instant smiles and possibly extra food. Don't worry about your accent – Indians are just thrilled you're making the effort.
Keeping Your Stomach Happy (Delhi Belly Prevention 101)
The golden rules: bottled water is your friend, avoid raw salads and cut fruits from street vendors, and stick to hot, freshly cooked food. If locals are eating there and it's busy, it's probably safe. Start with milder dishes and work your way up to spicier foods. Pack some probiotics and basic stomach remedies – your future self will thank you. Pro tip: stick to vegetarian food to reduce the risks which is just as flavourful!
Food Adventures (Your Taste Buds' New Best Life)
Street Food Changed My Life
If the place is crowded with locals, it's safe and probably incredible. You're trading stroopwafels for samosas, and honestly, your taste buds are about to have a religious experience. Must-tries include:
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Chaat – Sweet, spicy, crunchy heaven in a bowl
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Dosa – Crispy crepe perfection (Bangalore's pride and joy!)
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Kulfi – Indian ice cream that will ruin regular ice cream forever
Spice Level Reality Check:
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"No spice" = Still more exciting than mild Dutch mustard
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"Little spice" = You might glow a bit
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"Medium spice" = Have tissues handy
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"Indian spice" = You've been lovingly warned!
Cultural Magic Moments
Temple Visits Are Soul-Stirring
Remove your shoes, cover your shoulders, and prepare to be amazed. The architecture, chanting, and incense create an otherworldly experience. Don't stress about "doing it wrong" – good intentions matter more than perfect execution.
Shopping is Performance Art
Bargaining isn't rude – it's expected! Start at half the asking price and work your way up. Brigade Road and Commercial Street in Bangalore are perfect training grounds. It's like a friendly game where everyone wins and you get beautiful things. Warning: you will need an extra suitcase.
Every Day is Festival Day
Indians celebrate everything with infectious enthusiasm. If there's music and dancing in the streets, just join in. Nobody will question it – they'll hand you sweets and teach you the moves. It's like having multiple King's Day celebrations but with better weather and more color.
The Real Talk Section
Yes, It Will Be A Lot
India doesn't do subtle, and that's exactly the point. The sounds, smells, colors, and energy can be beautifully overwhelming. When it feels like too much, find a quiet café, order some chai, and just watch the world go by. This sensory symphony is what makes India unforgettable – embrace it in small doses if you need to.
Photo Etiquette Made Simple
Always ask before photographing people, especially women and children. Most folks are delighted to pose, but that simple "photo?" gesture shows respect and often leads to wonderful interactions. Also, prepare for random strangers wanting selfies with you – you're as fascinating to them as they are to you! It's actually a lovely way to connect across cultures.
Cultural Patience is Key
Things move differently here. "Indian Standard Time" is real, and fighting it will only stress you out. Embrace the flexible approach to scheduling – some of the best experiences happen when plans go beautifully sideways.
The Bottom Line
India will challenge everything you think you know about the world, and that's the gift. You're not just attending a wedding – you're getting a masterclass in joy, family, tradition, and the art of celebration.
Pack your curiosity, bring your appetite (literally and figuratively), and get ready for the trip that will spoil you for all other destinations. India doesn't just show you a different way of life – it shows you a different way of being fully alive.
And who knows? You might just end up planning your own Indian wedding adventure.
Welcome to India, friend. Your world is about to become infinitely more colorful!
Love,
Lotte
P.S. – The masala chai is basically a warm hug in a cup, and you'll understand why we are completely obsessed. Just remember to call it 'chai' – saying 'chai tea' screams 'I learned about this at Starbucks' and will definitely earn you some politely amused looks from people who've been perfecting this recipe for centuries!
India 101
Your First Trip to India: A Love Letter to Chaos, Color, and Incredible Adventures!
by Lotte van Uum
What I wish I'd known before falling head-over-heels
for India (and Nilesh!)
One of the most exciting parts of attending an Indian wedding? The clothes! But we know the question on everyone's mind: "What on earth do I wear?" Don't worry – we've got you covered for all three days with practical tips, visual inspiration, and shopping guidance.
Want to understand what each ceremony means before diving into outfit planning? Read more about the significance of each event here.
Day 1, Afternoon: Haldi Ceremony
The Haldi ceremony takes place during the afternoon of our first day. This is the most casual dress code of all our events, with a festive and colorful vibe.
The color palette is marigold yellow, warm orange, and soft peach. These warm tones echo the turmeric used in the ceremony and create a beautiful visual celebration. For women there are lots of options, a kurta set (long top + slim pants), a crop top with palazzo pants, a simple lehenga (skirt + crop top). For men, a yellow or orange kurta does the trick, just add some white or cream chinos (bring these from home) and you’re good to go!
Traditional Indian attire is wonderful, but we understand if you want to keep things simple or budget-friendly. For women, a colorful maxi dress in these warm tones works beautifully. Choose something flowing and comfortable that you can move freely in. For men, your best linen shirt and trousers are perfect. Light colors or warm tones fit the palette well, and linen will keep you comfortable in the afternoon warmth. Just a friendly note: please avoid short skirts and shorts to keep things appropriate for the ceremony.
Day 1, Evening: Sangeet
The Sangeet takes place in the evening of our first day and it's time to bring the glam! If there is one outfit you’d like to go all out on - it's this one. This is a celebration of music, dance, and pure joy, so think bright, festive, and sparkly.
The dress code is all about Indian glamour. For women, lehengas or colorful Indo-western outfits are perfect. The more glitter and shine, the better! Think vibrant colors, sequins, embroidery, and statement pieces. For men, a sparkling kurta with dress pants brings festive energy. Don't be shy about adding some shimmer or bold colors.
If you have a glitter and glam dress in your closet back home, this is absolutely the time to wear it! Western evening wear that's festive and sparkly fits right in with the celebration. Just a friendly reminder: please avoid short skirts to keep things appropriate.
This is the night to dance, celebrate, and shine bright with us!
Day 2, Day time: Indian Wedding Ceremony
The Indian Wedding Ceremony takes place on the morning of our second day. This is where the Bharat (groom's grand arrival), Varmala (garland exchange), and Pheras (seven sacred vows) happen. This is the most sacred and traditional part of our celebration.
For women, lehengas, sarees, kurta sets, sharara sets - all are beautiful choices for this ceremony. Rich fabrics, beautiful embroidery, and traditional jewelry add to the magic of the occasion. Think bold, warm colors. For men, a bandi, kurta, or bandhgala brings the right level of formality and tradition. Just a friendly note: please avoid wearing red, as that color is traditionally reserved for the bride.
This is the heart of our three-day celebration, where ancient rituals and blessings come together. We'd love to see everyone in traditional Indian attire to celebrate this special moment with us!
Day 2, Evening: Reception
The Reception takes place in the evening of our second day. After the sacred ceremony, it's time for a relaxed evening of dinner, celebration, and enjoying time with friends and family.
For women, sarees are a beautiful choice for this sophisticated evening. Think rich colors, elegant draping, and beautiful jewelry that complete the look. For men, a dark Western suit or a Jodhpuri suit both work beautifully for this formal celebration.
This is the evening to bring your elegant and festive energy as we celebrate together!
Day 3: The Dutch Wedding
The Dutch Wedding takes place on our third day. This is our Western ceremony with a black tie optional dress code. For women, elegant long dresses, formal gowns, or dressy separates are perfect. For men, a dark suit and tie is ideal, or go for a tuxedo if you happen to have one.
The Dutch Wedding serves as a beautiful finale to our celebration journey - honoring both cultures that have shaped our love story and creating one final magical moment together!
Practical Tips & Shopping Guide
We know this is a lot of information and navigating Indian wedding attire for the first time can feel overwhelming! Don't worry – we're here to help. If you have any questions about what to wear, where to shop, or anything else, please just WhatsApp us. We're happy to guide you through it all!
Where do you get it all?
We recommend renting for most of your Indian attire, especially lehengas for women. Bangalore has excellent rental services that offer designer pieces at a fraction of the purchase price. You can find beautiful, high-quality outfits without breaking the bank or worrying about what to do with them after the wedding. Many rental shops also include jewelry and accessories in their packages. For women if you’d like to have a keepsake, consider buying a saree. Also a Haldi outfit shouldn’t be too expensive. For men, kurtas are also available at a good price.
Rental shops:
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Candidmen - Men’s only
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Flyrobe - Women and men’s
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Would recommend the store in the South as its close to other shops
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Shops
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Soch - Women’s store, good for general festive wear - more type of fast fashion store
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Avantra - Women’s multibrand store, good for general festive wear - more type of fast fashion store
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Aarushe - Women’s store, downstairs is good for casual festive outfits. Upstairs is festive Lehengas
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Maanyavar - Indian "Zara" for wedding wear for men
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The Luxe Label - Label Jatin Bhandari - Designer who can create bespoke made-to-measure suits and traditional wear for men
You can find it all here on this Google Maps list.
One more tip with regards to the style of the outfits, while we will be in South India, it will not be a typical South Indian style wedding. This is a Marwari wedding, which means you'll see more North Indian style celebrations. The dress codes tend to be more colorful, elaborate, and festive than traditional South Indian weddings. Think vibrant colors, heavier embroidery, and more ornate jewelry. Don't hold back on the glamour and sparkle – Marwari weddings are known for their opulence and celebration!
Any other questions?
We are only a whatsapp message away! We can’t wait to share these colorful festive days with you!
Lots of love,
Lotte & Nilesh
Three days, 5 events: Your Complete Style Guide
Everything you need to know about dressing for our three-day Indian wedding celebration!