Pakistani Groom Outfit Ideas: Complete Style Guide
At a Pakistani wedding, most planning focuses on the bride, but the groom is also important in photos. The groom's outfit should match the event, go well with the bride's outfit without being the same, and be suitable for UK weather. This guide gives ideas for outfits for all events, both traditional and Western, as well as budgeting, ordering from Pakistan, fitting, photography, and a backup plan.
Coordinated, not identical: the groom's shawl picks up the bride's red.Quick answers
- Baraat: often a sherwani, with a kulla or pagri, khussas and a shawl, depending on the family's tradition.
- Nikah: a white or ivory kurta shalwar, sometimes with a waistcoat, or a light sherwani.
- Mehndi: a coloured kurta with a waistcoat or a printed scarf.
- Walima: a prince coat, a waistcoat with a kurta, or a tailored suit or tuxedo.
- Budget tip: keep part of the budget for shoes, accessories and alterations, not only the sherwani.
In this guide
Groom outfit ideas for each event
Mehndi
The Mehndi event is usually relaxed. A colorful kurta in green, yellow, or a bold print with a contrasting waistcoat or scarf is great for dancing.
Nikah
For the Nikah, pick a simple and elegant outfit. A white or ivory kurta shalwar is a classic choice, often with a gold or beige waistcoat.
Baraat
The Baraat is the groom's most formal event. An embroidered sherwani in ivory, gold, cream, or a deep color is traditional, often with a kulla or pagri and khussas. A shawl is also common, and some families add a sehra (floral veil).
Walima
For the Walima reception, a prince coat, jamawar waistcoat over a kurta, or a tailored suit or tuxedo are good options.
If the Nikah and Baraat are on the same day, the groom can either wear the sherwani for both events, adding the kulla, shawl, and sehra for the Baraat, or change from a kurta shalwar into the sherwani. Make sure the venue has a changing room.
Traditional or Western? A comparison
Neither option is better; choose what fits the event and your comfort.
| Outfit | Formality | Comfort | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwani | Very high | Structured; can feel warm | Baraat in a large ballroom |
| Prince coat | High | Lighter than a sherwani | Walima and receptions |
| Kurta with waistcoat | Medium to high | Comfortable and easy to move in | Mehndi, Nikah and summer events |
| Suit | Medium to high | Familiar for many British grooms | Walima or a hotel reception |
| Tuxedo | Very high | Tailored and formal | Evening Walima |
Coordinating colours with the bride
| Bride wears | Groom could wear |
|---|---|
| Red or maroon | Ivory, gold or cream sherwani with a maroon shawl or kulla |
| Ivory or off-white | Ivory kurta with a gold waistcoat, or a champagne sherwani |
| Blush or pastel pink | Ivory or light grey with a blush pocket square |
| Emerald or green | Ivory with a green shawl, or a bottle-green waistcoat |
| Gold or champagne | Navy, black or cream, depending on the event |
Check the bride's outfits from our Baraat, Nikah, Mehndi and Walima collections.
Season and venue guide
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Summer garden ceremony | Cotton, linen or light raw silk; a waistcoat over a kurta rather than a heavy sherwani |
| Winter wedding | Velvet or jamawar, with a wool coat for the journey and somewhere to store it at the venue |
| Long indoor reception | A lighter lining or a removable shawl, as crowded ballrooms can become warm |
| Outdoor photographs | Shoes suited to grass or gravel, and a plan to stay dry if it rains |
Groom's budget planner
A common mistake is spending too much on the sherwani and not enough on shoes, accessories, and alterations. This guide shows a budget plan, but you should add your own numbers.
| Item | Suggested share | Your budget |
|---|---|---|
| Sherwani or suit | 50 to 60% | £ |
| Other event outfits (kurtas, waistcoats) | 15 to 20% | £ |
| Shoes | 5 to 10% | £ |
| Kulla, pagri, shawl and accessories | 5 to 10% | £ |
| Alterations | About 5% | £ |
| Delivery, charges and contingency | About 5% | £ |
Budget, mid-range, and premium options differ mainly in fabric and design, so get written quotes that include changes and delivery.
Ordering from Pakistan: a groom's checklist
Before ordering a sherwani from a Pakistani seller, ask:
- What is the confirmed dispatch date?
- What are the finished garment measurements?
- What is the exact fabric?
- What is the return policy?
- Who pays return postage?
- What alteration options are offered?
- What happens if it arrives late?
- Will import VAT or duty be charged?
Check for possible import charges on GOV.UK. For a backup plan, book a UK tailor for changes before the outfit arrives, and keep a suitable alternative, like a tailored suit or kurta with a waistcoat, in case of fitting issues or delays.
Fitting checklist to take to your tailor
Wear the complete outfit, including the actual footwear, at the fitting.
- Shoulder seams sit at the shoulder edge
- Sherwani length suits your height
- A small amount of kurta cuff shows
- Collar is comfortable when turning
- Chest and waist are comfortable
- No button strain when sitting
- Sleeves allow you to raise your arms
- Trouser length and break are right
- Room for a phone or handkerchief
- Sits well when walking
Anyone can wear a sherwani well; good fitting is key. Taller grooms may want longer sherwanis and bolder patterns, while others may prefer shorter lengths and subtle designs. A waistcoat over a kurta can be comfortable yet formal.
Looking good in photographs
- Shiny fabrics: can reflect light in photos, so matte fabrics like raw silk are usually better.
- Dark outfits: can blend into dark backgrounds, so check the stage colors.
- Fine embroidery: may not show well in photos; contrasting threads are better.
- Venue lighting: Test the outfit under similar lighting and take photos at the final fitting.
- Finishing touches: Before photos, fasten the sherwani and have someone straighten the shawl.
Our wedding photography guide tells how fabric, embroidery and lighting affect photos.
Groomsmen coordination plan
- Agree on a color scheme instead of matching outfits.
- Allow different styles, like kurtas or waistcoats, for comfort. Coordinate shoes when possible.
-
Make the groom stand out with a unique color or richer embroidery.
For children in the wedding, see our kids collection.
Grooming timeline
Six to eight weeks before
Decide your beard style and hairstyle, and start a simple skincare routine.
One week before
Get your haircut about one week before so your style has time to settle before the photographs.
Two to three days before
Trim and shape your beard, and try outfit.
Wedding day
Moisturize, check your beard, and keep blotting papers handy for touch-ups before photos.
Comfort and emergency backup
Give a trusted person, like a brother or best friend, the job of managing a touch-up kit:
- Spare buttons and fastenings
- Safety pins and a sewing kit
- Blister plasters
- A stain-removal pen
- A lint roller
- A spare kurta or shirt, if practical
- Comfortable shoes for later
- A phone charger
Test any stain remover on a hidden spot first and avoid using it on delicate embroidery without checking care instructions.
Groomsmen coordinate; the groom stands out with a distinctive detail.Frequently asked questions
Should the groom match the bride exactly?
Usually not. Coordinating colours, such as picking up the bride's colour in a shawl, kulla or waistcoat, tends to look more balanced than identical outfits.
Can the groom wear a suit for the Walima?
Yes. A tailored suit or tuxedo is a popular Walima choice, especially at a hotel reception. A prince coat is a more traditional alternative.
Does the groom need a sherwani for the Nikah?
No. A white or ivory kurta shalwar, with or without a waistcoat, is a classic Nikah outfit.
Should the groom wear a kulla or pagri?
It is traditional for the Baraat in many families, but optional. If you wear one, practise beforehand so it feels comfortable for several hours.
What if the sherwani from Pakistan does not fit?
Contact the seller straight away with photos and your agreed measurements, and use your pre-booked UK tailor for any alterations. Keep a backup outfit ready in case it cannot be fixed in time.
How should the groom dress for a summer UK wedding?
Choose lighter fabrics such as cotton, linen or light raw silk, and consider a waistcoat over a kurta for daytime events.
Final verdict
A great groom's outfit fits the event, matches the bride, and fits well. Plan colors with the bride's outfits, budget for everything, order early with a backup plan, and test the outfit at a fitting. Then the groom can enjoy the celebration looking and feeling great.
Plan the bride's look alongside the groom's
Explore more than 28,000 outfits from over 200 Pakistani designers for the bride and the women of the family. Eligible orders include custom stitching at no extra charge, and UK delivery is free on orders over £100.
Shop bridal wearRead next: Pakistani Groom Outfit Ideas: Complete Style Guide · How to Choose Pakistani Bridal Dupatta: Styling Guide
Contact us
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