Let's be real. Dressing for an Indian wedding is already a mission on its own. You've got the baraat, the pheras, the sangeet, the reception, and somewhere in between all of that, you're expected to look put-together, feel comfortable, and survive the heat. All at the same time.
Summer weddings are beautiful. They're also brutal. And your outfit is doing a lot of heavy lifting.
Whether you're the groom, a groomsman, or just the guy who somehow always ends up in everyone's photos, here's what actually works. At Mohanlal Sons, we've been dressing men for their biggest moments for decades. This is the guide we wish everyone had before wedding season hits.
1. Classic Sherwani, The One That Started It All
The sherwani has been the groom's first choice forever, and that's not changing anytime soon. But in summer, the fabric is everything. Heavy brocade and velvet are out, they trap heat and you'll know it within the first hour. Go for georgette, chanderi, or a light silk blend instead. These fabrics breathe, drape beautifully, and still look incredibly rich in photos. Ivory, off-white, and soft pastels are your best colours, they don't absorb heat and they look stunning in natural light. Pair with a churidar and embroidered juttis, and nothing comes close.
Best for: Grooms, baraat, phera ceremony
2. Bandhgala Suit, Looks Expensive, Feels Easy
The Bandhgala suit is quietly one of the best things a man can wear to an Indian wedding. It's formal without being rigid, distinctly Indian without feeling costume-y, and it photographs like an absolute dream. For summer, linen or a light wool blend in sage green, dusty rose, or warm beige is the way to go. The mandarin collar means the whole look holds together on its own, no dupatta, no accessories required. Just clean lines and quiet confidence.
Best for: Grooms, reception, cocktail functions
3. Kurta Pyjama, Don't Sleep On This One
Genuinely, the kurta pyjama doesn't get the credit it deserves. A well-fitted one in the right fabric will outperform a lot of fancier, heavier outfits at a summer wedding, and you'll be infinitely more comfortable wearing it. Choose cotton or linen, keep the cut modern and clean, and let the colour do the work. Pastels, earthy tones, muted jewel colours, all of them land beautifully. Add a printed stole if you want to dress it up. Leave it minimal if you don't. You really cannot go wrong here.
Best for: Wedding guests, mehendi, haldi, sangeet
4. Vibrant Nehru Jacket, Maximum Impact, Minimum Effort
If there's one styling trick that consistently works at summer weddings, it's this one. A printed or embroidered Nehru jacket over a plain kurta immediately makes the outfit look intentional and festive, without any of the bulk of a full sherwani. Florals, paisleys, bold geometric prints, this is genuinely the one context where going loud is the right move. Summer wedding energy is colourful and celebratory. Your outfit should reflect that.
Best for: Sangeet, cocktail, baraat as a guest
5. Printed Shirt For Men, Hear Us Out
A well-chosen printed shirt at a summer wedding can look genuinely great, if you approach it right. We're not talking about anything casual or beach-holiday. Think structured resort-wear prints: rich floral motifs, block prints, bold abstract patterns in deep jewel tones. Pair it with tailored trousers or linen pants, tuck it in cleanly, add loafers or white sneakers, and at an outdoor garden wedding or sundowner reception, this look is hard to beat. Relaxed in spirit, sharp in execution.
Best for: Casual daytime weddings, sundowner events, younger crowd
6. Double Breasted Suit For Men, For When You Want to Be Remembered
For formal evening weddings where Western is the vibe, a double breasted suit in a summer-friendly fabric is a genuinely bold choice that pays off every time. Linen or cotton blends in beige, champagne, powder blue, or terracotta are perfect for warm weather and look incredible on camera. The double-breasted cut has this effortless, old-money quality that's very much back in style. Add a contrast pocket square and keep everything else clean. People will ask where you got it, multiple times.
Best for: Reception, formal evening weddings, destination weddings
7. Smart Casual Blazer, The Dress Code Problem Solver
"Smart casual" on a wedding invite is basically a riddle. Nobody knows exactly what it means and most people panic. The fix is simple: a lightweight blazer over a kurta or linen shirt. You look considered and put-together, you're not overdressed, and the blazer comes off the second the dancing starts, which it always does. Navy or olive over a white or cream kurta is a combination that has never once looked bad. Reliable, versatile, and effortlessly stylish.
Best for: Guest attire, ring ceremony, pre-wedding functions
8. Kurta Jawahar Set, The One That Always Gets Compliments
The Kurta Jawahar Set is one of those combinations that consistently looks like more effort than it actually is. The structured Jawahar jacket gives the kurta shape and formality, pulling the whole thing together without any of the heaviness of a sherwani. For summer, keep the tones complementary, white kurta with a block-printed blue jacket, pale yellow with mustard. It reads coordinated and considered without tipping into over-matched territory. That balance is harder to find than it looks.
Best for: Engagement, roka, sangeet, wedding guest
9. Embroidered Tuxedo, For the Groom Who Won't Choose
Some grooms want tradition. Some want Western. And then there are the ones who want both, which is, honestly, completely valid. The embroidered tuxedo delivers exactly that. A sharp Western silhouette with zardozi, threadwork, or sequin embroidery on the lapels or jacket, becomes something uniquely its own. Go for midnight blue, deep burgundy, or black with gold detailing for reception night. It's the kind of outfit that walks into a room before you do.
Best for: Grooms for reception night, sangeet
10. Embroidered Kurta Pajama, Traditional, But Make It Breathable
For grooms or close family who love traditional wear but need something that actually works in summer heat, the embroidered kurta pajama is the sweet spot. Chikankari, resham work, or tone-on-tone embroidery on a light cotton or georgette base, it looks genuinely stunning without any of the weight. All the elegance of a sherwani, none of the suffering. Pair it with embroidered mojris and you're done. In summer, that's not a small thing.
Best for: Grooms for haldi/mehendi, close family, baraat
A Few Things That'll Make Any Outfit Better
Fabric first, always. Cotton, linen, georgette, viscose blends, these are the ones that work in summer. Polyester is not your friend. After fabric, fit matters more than anything else, a simple kurta that fits well will always look better than an expensive sherwani that doesn't. And finish the outfit properly. Juttis, mojris, clean sneakers, whatever suits the look. The shoes are not an afterthought.
FAQs
1. What is the dress code for a summer wedding?
Festive or traditional attire is the norm, sherwanis, kurta pyjamas, or Bandhgala suits for formal functions. In summer, breathable fabrics and lighter colours are essential, especially for anything outdoors.
2. How to dress in India as a groomsman in summer?
Coordinate on colour with the groom rather than copying his exact outfit. Light kurta pyjamas or Bandhgala suits in breathable fabrics are the most reliable and stylish bet.
3. Can you wear a sherwani to a wedding?
Absolutely, it's one of the most appropriate choices you can make. For summer, just swap heavy brocade or velvet for lighter options like georgette or chanderi.
4. Do groomsmen need to match the groom's suit?
No, complementary colours are the goal, not identical outfits. The groom should stand out, and coordinated tones do that far better than everyone wearing the same thing.
Summer weddings don't have to mean choosing between looking good and surviving the heat. The right outfit gives you both. Browse the full collection at Mohanlal Sons and find the look that's made for your moment.
