Mehendi to Reception: How to Choose Colours for Every South Asian Wedding Event

A South Asian wedding is a symphony of culture, tradition, and artistry—an experience that spans multiple days and countless cherished moments. Each event, from the vibrant mehendi to the elegant wedding reception, carries its own spirit, and the colours a bride chooses are a reflection of her story.

In Indian, Pakistani, and other South Asian cultures, colours are not just aesthetic—they are symbolic. They represent blessings, emotions, and family heritage. At House of Kalra, we believe a bride’s wardrobe is a living tapestry, with every hue capturing the essence of celebration. Here’s how to choose the perfect colours for every chapter of your bridal journey, blending cultural tradition with modern elegance.


Mehendi: Bright Hues for Joy and Prosperity

The mehendi ceremony, where intricate henna is applied to the bride’s hands and feet, is one of the most joyful and intimate pre-wedding rituals. Traditionally held during the day, this event celebrates love, laughter, and togetherness.

In South Asian culture:
• Green represents fertility, renewal, and the beginning of a new life.
• Yellow and marigold are linked to auspiciousness, happiness, and the energy of the sun.

For the mehendi, brides often gravitate toward lime green, pistachio, yellow, mint, and tangerine, often accented with mirror work, floral embroidery, or gota patti. Pastel lehengas with delicate threadwork or dual-tone skirts are especially striking under natural daylight, creating a look that feels effortless and celebratory.


Sangeet: Jewel-Toned Glamour for Music and Dance

The sangeet night is where the celebration shifts into high-energy, filled with Bollywood dances, dhol beats, and family performances. This event calls for colours that radiate glamour and movement, catching the light with every twirl.

Jewel tones like royal blue, magenta, emerald green, deep purple, and ruby red are especially popular, as they evoke the richness of South Asian royalty. Metallic accents like gold, bronze, or champagne enhance the festive feel under the stage and ambient lighting.

Fabrics such as silk, chiffon, velvet, and layered net give depth and fluidity to the sangeet look, while embellishments like sequins, zardozi, and resham embroidery add sparkle and texture. This is often the night brides embrace bolder shades, creating a striking contrast after the freshness of the mehendi.


Wedding Day: Traditional Elegance and Heritage

The wedding day, whether it involves Hindu pheras, Sikh Anand Karaj, Muslim nikah, or Christian ceremonies, is the pinnacle of the celebration. This is where tradition speaks loudest, and colour becomes a bridge to cultural heritage.
• Red and maroon bridal lehengas remain iconic for Hindu and Sikh weddings, symbolizing prosperity, passion, and sacred union.
• Gold, cream, and ivory are widely chosen in South Indian, Tamil, and Sri Lankan weddings, representing purity and divine blessings.
• Pastel pinks, peaches, and blush tones have become popular for modern or fusion weddings, especially outdoor or garden ceremonies, bringing a romantic and ethereal aura.

Bridal lehengas are often adorned with zari, zardozi, kundan, and hand-embroidered motifs, reflecting the craftsmanship that defines South Asian bridalwear. The chosen colour is more than a visual—it becomes a lifelong memory, captured in wedding photographs, family albums, and legacy storytelling.


Reception: Modern Sophistication Meets Tradition

The wedding reception marks the first celebration of a couple’s married life, often blending South Asian tradition with modern elegance. This evening allows brides to explore contemporary colours and silhouettes, moving away from traditional reds into more sophisticated tones.

Popular reception colours include ivory, silver, champagne, rose gold, midnight blue, deep wine, and plum. These shades exude a regal, polished charm, perfect for candlelit ballrooms or venues decorated with crystal chandeliers and floral installations.

Many brides choose embellished ivory lehengas, metallic gowns, or pastel shimmer ensembles paired with diamond or polki jewellery, reflecting a graceful transition from heritage to modernity. The reception look is often the most versatile, letting brides embrace global bridal trends while still honouring their cultural roots.


A Wedding Told Through Colour

A South Asian wedding is a journey of rituals, music, and vibrant celebration, and a bride’s wardrobe is its visual poetry. From the green and yellow of mehendi to the jewel tones of sangeet, the traditional reds and golds of the wedding, and the refined elegance of the reception, each colour embodies the spirit of that moment.

At House of Kalra, we create bridal lehengas, sarees, anarkalis, and trousseau pieces that celebrate this harmony of tradition and individuality. Every stitch and every hue is crafted for the bride who embraces her culture while stepping boldly into her future—a living portrait of colour, heritage, and timeless beauty.