Muslim Wedding Attire Guide for Men
If you’ve been invited to a Muslim wedding for the first time, let us assure you that you’re going to have a wonderful time. Weddings are a special ceremony, the coming together of two people and two families, so you’ll have to prepare yourself for a long day full of lively conversation, belly laughs and excellent food.
There could well be dancing and singing, too, although do note that this is frowned upon in some conservative cultures. There could also be more segregation than you might be used to if you’ve only been to Western weddings. It’s not unusual, especially in Arab cultures, for the men and women to be separate for most of the day, so just go with the flow.
Let’s talk about what men should wear at a Muslim wedding.
Modesty is key
Choose an outfit that is modest and conservative. Avoid anything too tight, revealing or flashy. This is a general rule for all Muslim religious events, and that of course includes weddings. You’ll probably find that it holds even in liberal, Westernised communities, too. There will always be traditions that are adhered to, and dress is one of them.
A suit is the default option in the West
If the wedding is in the Western world, wearing a regular western suit and tie is usually a safe and respectful choice. Dark colours like black, navy or grey are classic and will usually be appropriate – they have been adopted globally, so will never really look out of place. It’s likely that many of the Muslim guests will also be wearing regular suits, although you’ll no doubt see plenty of cultural attire too.
Long sleeves and trousers
Ensure your shirt has long sleeves and your trousers cover your legs completely. Avoid shorts or short-sleeved shirts as they might be seen as disrespectful. Even if the wedding is on a Caribbean island or during the height of the British summer, resist the temptation to expose too much skin – some weddings are more solemn than others.
Footwear
Wear clean, formal shoes. You might be required to remove your shoes for certain parts of the wedding, especially if it takes place in a mosque, so ensure your socks are in good condition. Bonus points if the left and right socks are a matching pair!
Head covering
While men are generally not required to cover their heads at most Muslim weddings, if the event is particularly traditional or religious, you might be provided with a cap (like a kufi) to wear. If it’s a traditional Arabic wedding, the men might well be wearing a shemagh or keffiyeh. There are certain ways to tie them that signify culture and standing, so find out how to tie yours in the appropriate way.
Grooming
Make sure you are well-groomed, with neat and clean hair. If you have facial hair, ensure it is tidy. It’s all part of showing your respect for the occasion, but frankly, it’ll make you look great whether you’re wearing a suit or traditional Muslim dress.
Traditional wear?
If you are close to the family or the community, you may consider wearing traditional cultural attire if it is offered or suggested to you. That opens up a list of possibilities that’s far too big for this article. Islam is firmly rooted in cultures from Morocco to Indonesia, from Turkey to Chad. That adds up to hundreds of potential ways to dress if you’re taking the traditional route, even if the couple now live in Manchester or Melbourne.
So while you might think wedding thobe, it might be a little out of place at, say, a traditional Malaysian wedding. However, if it’s a wedding of people from an Arabic background, you’re likely to fit in just perfectly.
Ask if unsure
If you have a close relationship with the couple or their families, don’t hesitate to ask them for specific suggestions or requirements. It shows you care about respecting their customs, and that you’re excited about attending. There’s a good chance they wouldn’t want you to spend your money on a traditional outfit that you might only wear once, and will simply tell you to wear your regular suit. However, if you really want to fit in with a traditional wedding party, you’ll no doubt get some vital pointers to dressing and behaving.
Watch videos
Nowadays, you only have to have a quick search on YouTube to find wedding videos from all over the world. They can be a great guide for anyone wavering about what to wear. While the majority of the focus will be on the couple, make sure you pay attention to the guests and what they’re wearing. You’ll also pick up plenty of other cues, such as whether the men and women mix, whether there’s dancing and what else goes on. Along with advice from the family or the couple themselves, you should make a flawless appearance.
Have fun!
Everywhere in the world, weddings have a thread of similarities, but also things that make them very different from each other. In fact, if you take two Muslim weddings from different geographical cultures, each will no doubt have its own unique features that seem strange to the other. In that respect there’s no “right” way for men to dress at a Muslim wedding. Just make sure you’re respectful and modest, and you’ll fit in just fine.
The fact that you’ve been invited means that the couple want you to share their day with you, so they’ll go out of their way to make you feel welcome. You’re in for a memorable time whatever you wear, so just soak up the festive atmosphere as you wish the happy couple a long and happy life together.