It's wedding season again – three invitations on the fridge, a sangeet next weekend and a cousin's reception you can't miss. Whether you're a guest, a sibling or part of the bride or groom's family, this wedding shopping guide covers what to buy, when to buy it and where to save, so you look great without overspending.
Wedding shopping guide: when to buy what
| When | What to buy | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks before | Main outfits for the wedding and reception | Leaves time for tailoring and exchanges |
| 4–6 weeks before | Mehendi, haldi and sangeet outfits; footwear | Try footwear with the outfit before the day |
| 2–3 weeks before | Jewellery, bags and accessories | Match metal tones across events |
| Last week | Gifts, perfume, makeup touch-ups | Quick-delivery stores save the day |
What to wear to each function
| Function | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Haldi | Yellow or pastel cotton kurta set | Light cotton kurta |
| Mehendi | Green or bright co-ord / anarkali | Printed kurta or Nehru jacket |
| Sangeet | Lehenga, sharara or indo-western | Bandhgala or embroidered kurta |
| Wedding | Silk saree or festive lehenga | Sherwani or kurta with jacket |
| Reception | Saree, gown or indo-western | Suit or bandhgala |
Where to shop for wedding outfits
For women: Libas and Biba have kurta sets, sarees and lehengas at up to 70–80% off in their sales. For handloom and silk, see Fabindia and Jaypore.
For men and the whole family: Myntra and Ajio carry ethnic wear for men, women and kids in one place, often with an extra coupon discount on top of the sale price.
Jewellery and accessories on a budget
Lightweight gold and demi-fine pieces are a smart buy for guests. Compare Malabar Gold for gold, and GIVA, Palmonas and Lucira for silver and demi-fine jewellery. For gold, always check the BIS hallmark and HUID, and ask for the making charge as a percentage.
Wedding gift ideas by budget
| Budget | Gift ideas | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Under ₹1,000 | Perfume set, scented candles, photo frame | Bella Vita, Indian Gifts Portal |
| Under ₹2,500 | Flowers and cake, silver coin, dinner set | FNP, FlowerAura |
| Under ₹5,000 | Air fryer, cookware set, home decor | Wonderchef, Pepperfry |
| ₹5,000+ | Smart speaker, smartwatch pair, silver jewellery | Croma, GIVA |
7 ways to save on wedding shopping
- Set a budget per function before you start shopping.
- Re-style one good outfit for two events with different dupattas or jackets.
- Buy during sales like Black Friday (27 November) and end-of-season sales.
- Apply a coupon code at checkout – find the latest on our coupons page.
- Add a bank card or UPI offer on top of the coupon.
- Check the return and exchange policy before ordering festive wear.
- Order gifts online with doorstep delivery to save time in the final week.
Frequently asked questions
When should I buy outfits for a wedding as a guest?
Buy your main outfits 6–8 weeks before the wedding and outfits for the other functions 4–6 weeks before. That leaves time for alterations and exchanges if the size isn't right.
How much should a wedding guest spend on an outfit?
There is no fixed rule, but many guests spend ₹2,000–₹8,000 per outfit. Re-styling one outfit for two functions is an easy way to cut costs.
What is a good wedding gift under ₹2,000?
Perfume gift sets, a silver coin, a flower-and-cake combo or a good-quality dinner set all work well under ₹2,000.
Can I use coupon codes on ethnic wear?
Yes. Fashion stores like Myntra, Ajio, Libas and Biba regularly run coupon codes on ethnic wear. Check each store page on Coupon Crew India for the latest verified offers.
Planning more than one wedding this season? Bookmark our stores page – we update coupons for fashion, jewellery and gifting stores every day.
