Choosing groomsmen outfits for an Indian wedding is easier when you plan by function, not just by one suit. Pick a colour palette that complements the groom, choose outfits for each event (kurtas for haldi and mehendi, indo-western or suits for the sangeet, jodhpuri or bandhgala for the baraat, and suits for the reception), and order 6 to 8 weeks ahead for fittings. Start browsing the VJV Now men's suit collection and our men's kurtas for matching squad looks.
The 2026-27 wedding season is almost here. Dev Uthani Ekadashi falls around 20 November 2026, and the busiest shaadi months run from late November 2026 to February 2027. If your brother or best friend is getting married, now is the time to get the squad dressed.
Who Are the Groomsmen at an Indian Wedding?
In Western weddings, groomsmen stand beside the groom at the altar. At an Indian wedding, the groom's squad is bigger and busier: brothers, cousins, jiju and close friends who dance in the baraat, handle the joota chupai negotiations and keep the groom calm. Because there are many functions, this group usually needs three to five coordinated looks, not just one suit.
When Should You Order Groomsmen Outfits?
Give yourself time for sizing, alterations and delivery, especially in peak season when tailors are fully booked.
| Wedding date | Finalise colours and styles | Order outfits by |
|---|---|---|
| Late November to December 2026 | Early October (before Navratri and Diwali) | Mid October 2026 |
| January 2027 | Late October | Mid November 2026 |
| February 2027 | November | Mid December 2026 |
Ask every member of the squad for accurate measurements (chest, waist, shoulder, sleeve and height) and order at least one trial piece early if someone has an unusual build. Keep at least two weeks free for alterations.
Who Pays for the Groomsmen's Outfits?
There is no fixed rule. Traditionally in the West, the groom covered rentals. In India, most families follow one of three options:
- The groom or his family pays for all outfits as a thank-you gift. This is common for a small squad of brothers and cousins.
- Everyone pays for their own, and the groom simply decides the colour and style.
- Split it: the groom gifts one key outfit (like the sangeet suit or the baraat safa and stole) and the rest is on each person.
Whatever you choose, tell your squad early and set a clear budget so nobody is surprised.
Matching Groomsmen Outfits to Your Wedding
1. Formality
An evening reception at a five-star hotel calls for tuxedos or dark suits. A day wedding or a farmhouse haldi works best with cotton kurtas. Match the outfit to how formal each event feels.
2. Colour
Pick colours from the wedding palette, but never let the squad outshine the groom. If the groom wears an ivory sherwani, the squad can go for pastel or beige kurtas. If he wears maroon, the squad looks great in navy, grey or gold tones.
3. Style
A royal palace wedding suits jodhpuri suits and safas. A beach wedding suits linen shirts and light suits. A modern city wedding suits sharp two-piece suits for the reception.
Groomsmen Outfits for Every Wedding Function
- Haldi: yellow, white or light pastel cotton kurtas. They will get stained, so skip anything expensive.
- Mehendi: green, teal or printed kurtas, or relaxed kurta sets with a Nehru jacket.
- Sangeet: the most fun look. Indo-western outfits, printed shirts with blazers, or velvet and coloured suits.
- Baraat: kurta with koti, jodhpuri suits or bandhgalas, finished with matching safas.
- Wedding ceremony (pheras): silk kurtas or indo-western sets in colours that complement the groom's sherwani.
- Reception: tuxedos, three-piece suits or classic two-piece suits in navy, grey, black or green.
Squad kurtas for haldi, mehendi and pooja: these new VJV Now kurta sets come in many colours, so everyone can twin or coordinate.
Yellow Rayon Kurta Set
₹4,500
Types of Groomsmen Suits and Outfits
1. Tuxedos
A tuxedo has satin or grosgrain lapels and is worn with a white dress shirt, a bow tie and black formal shoes. It is the most formal option and is perfect for a black-tie reception or cocktail night.
2. Three-Piece Suits
A jacket, trousers and a matching waistcoat. It looks polished and gives the squad a second look for later in the night: take off the jackets for the dance floor and the waistcoats keep everyone looking sharp. Read more in our guide to the 3-piece suit.
3. Two-Piece Suits
A jacket and trousers in the same fabric. It is the most versatile and budget-friendly choice, and each person can wear it again to office events and other weddings.
4. Jodhpuri Suits and Bandhgalas
A closed-neck jacket with trousers, born in Rajasthan. It blends Indian and Western style and looks royal in the baraat, especially with safas and a brooch.
5. Indo-Western Sets
Long jackets, asymmetric kurtas and koti sets with modern cuts. They are perfect for the sangeet and the wedding ceremony when the groom wants a festive but modern squad.
Sky Blue Silk Indo-Western
₹17,550
Best Colours for Groomsmen Outfits in 2026
Start with the wedding colour palette and the bridesmaids' outfits. You can go fully matching, or pick one colour in different shades for a modern, coordinated look.
1. Navy Blue
Navy is the safest and smartest choice. It suits every skin tone, photographs beautifully and works for both day and night. Pair with white shirts and silver or burgundy ties.
2. Grey
Light grey feels fresh for day weddings, while charcoal is perfect for evening. Grey sits well next to pastel lehengas and bold bridal reds alike.
3. Black
All-black is sleek and dramatic for an evening reception or cocktail party. Keep it for formal events and avoid it for day functions.
4. Green
Emerald, bottle green and olive are big for 2026 winter weddings. Deep greens look rich at night, and olive or sage suits day events. See our winter wedding colour trends 2026 for more palettes.
5. Tan and Beige
Beige and tan feel warm and relaxed. They are perfect for beach, garden and day weddings, and pair well with white shirts and brown shoes.
Shop squad suits:
Matching or Coordinated: Which Looks Better?
Fully matching outfits look neat in group photos and are easy to organise. Coordinated outfits (same colour family, different shades or styles) look more modern and flatter different body types and skin tones. A popular middle path: same suit colour, but each person picks his own tie or pocket square in the wedding colour.
What Shoes Should Groomsmen Wear?
Match the shoes to the outfit and event:
- Suits and tuxedos: black Oxfords for evening, brown loafers or Derbies for day events.
- Kurtas and jodhpuri suits: mojaris or juttis in a matching tone.
- Sangeet dance floor: clean white sneakers are fine if the groom agrees.
Make sure everyone breaks in new shoes before the wedding. A long baraat in stiff shoes is painful.
Tips for Coordinating Accessories
- Safas and stoles: matching safas instantly unite the squad in the baraat.
- Ties and bow ties: pick one colour from the wedding palette for everyone.
- Pocket squares: an easy, cheap way to add the wedding colour.
- Brooches and cufflinks: a matching brooch on bandhgalas or custom cufflinks make a lovely gift from the groom.
- Belts and socks: belts should match shoes. Socks can be the fun detail.
What Shirts Should Groomsmen Wear?
Choose breathable cotton, linen or viscose. White and light blue are the safest colours, while pink or lavender work for day events. Make sure the collar suits the neckwear, and choose French cuffs if you are wearing cufflinks.
Rent or Buy Groomsmen Outfits?
Renting is cheaper upfront and handy for one-time pieces like tuxedos. Buying gives a better fit and a suit or kurta each person can wear again at Diwali parties, office events and the next wedding in the family. For most Indian squads, buying kurtas and a versatile suit is the better value.
Emergency Kit for the Wedding Day
- Safety pins and a mini sewing kit
- Stain remover pen and wet wipes
- Spare socks, a spare tie and extra safa pins
- Shoe polish or a quick-shine sponge
- Deodorant, a comb, pain relief tablets and a phone power bank
Styling Tips for Different Body Types
A squad is never one size. These simple tweaks help everyone look good in the same colour.
- Tall and slim: double-breasted jackets, three-piece suits and textured fabrics add width. Long kurtas look great too.
- Broad or heavier build: single-breasted jackets with a single button, darker shades and vertical lines create a longer, leaner shape. Avoid tight fits.
- Shorter men: keep jackets slightly shorter, choose slim trousers with no break, and match the shirt and suit tones to lengthen the frame.
- Athletic build: make sure the jacket fits the shoulders first, then tailor the waist. Stretch fabrics help on the dance floor.
Budget Guide for Groomsmen Outfits
You don't need to spend a lot to make the squad look great. A realistic plan for 2026:
- Tight budget: one coordinated kurta set for all day functions, plus each person's own dark suit for the reception with a matching pocket square.
- Mid budget: kurta sets for haldi and mehendi, jodhpuri or kurta-koti sets for the baraat, and matching suits for the reception.
- Full squad styling: a separate outfit for every function, matching safas, brooches and gifted accessories.
Buying versatile colours such as navy, grey and maroon means every outfit gets worn again at Diwali and the next family wedding.
Tips for Great Squad Photos
- Iron or steam every outfit the night before, and carry a portable steamer if you can.
- Fix safas and stoles before the photographer arrives, not during the baraat.
- Keep phones, wallets and keys out of trouser pockets for a clean line.
- Plan a few fun poses with the groom: the lift, the slow walk and the candid laugh always work.
32 Instagram Captions for Groomsmen and the Groom's Squad
- Squad goals, shaadi edition.
- Suited, booted and ready for the baraat.
- The groom's gang has arrived.
- Brothers by blood, brothers by choice, twinning for the shaadi.
- Behind every dapper dulha is a squad that ironed his kurta.
- Dress code: sharp. Mood: dance till the DJ gives up.
- We came for the groom and stayed for the gulab jamun.
- Matching kurtas, matching energy.
- From childhood cricket to his wedding day, still on his team.
- Sherwani for him, swagger for us.
- Navy suits, zero chill.
- Mehendi on the bride, colour coordination on us.
- Groomsmen: part-time bodyguards, full-time dancers.
- Safas tied, hearts full, baraat loading.
- Yellow kurtas and haldi on our faces.
- Not the main character today, but the best supporting cast.
- The sangeet stage never saw us coming.
- One groom, five best men, zero regrets.
- Wedding season 2026, and we came dressed for it.
- Keeping calm and carrying the sehra.
- Friends who dress together, dance together.
- When the dhol starts, the squad shows up.
- Late nights, loud music, perfect fits.
- Tailored for the big day.
- Twinning with my brothers for my brother's big day.
- The shaadi squad is officially on duty.
- Pocket squares folded, promises kept.
- From best friend to best man.
- Reception ready in our finest suits.
- Here for the vows, the photos and the dance floor.
- Jodhpuri suits and royal vibes only.
- The groom said coordinate, and we delivered.
New Arrivals for the Groom's Squad
Frequently Asked Questions
What should groomsmen wear to an Indian wedding?
Plan a look for each function: kurtas for haldi and mehendi, indo-western outfits or suits for the sangeet, jodhpuri suits or kurta with koti for the baraat, and suits or tuxedos for the reception.
Should groomsmen match the groom?
They should complement him, not copy him. Pick colours from the same palette but keep the groom's outfit the richest and most detailed.
How early should we order groomsmen outfits?
Order 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding, and even earlier for November and December dates, because tailors and stores are busiest just after Diwali.
What colour suits are best for groomsmen?
Navy, grey and black are classic. For 2026 winter weddings, emerald green, beige and teal are popular choices.
Who pays for the groomsmen's outfits?
It is up to the groom and his family. Some gift the outfits, some ask each person to pay, and many split it by gifting one key outfit.
Can groomsmen wear kurtas instead of suits?
Yes. At most Indian weddings, kurtas are the best choice for haldi, mehendi and the pheras, and many squads wear kurta with koti for the baraat too. Save suits for the sangeet or reception.
What should groomsmen wear for the baraat?
Jodhpuri suits, bandhgalas or kurta with a Nehru jacket look best, finished with matching safas. Choose comfortable footwear because you will be dancing on the road for a long time.
Can groomsmen wear different colours?
Yes. Coordinated colours from one palette, such as shades of blue or pastel tones, look modern in photos and suit different skin tones better than one exact colour.
Shop Groomsmen Outfits at VJV Now
Dress the whole squad with our men's suits, men's kurtas, jodhpuri suits and indo-western outfits. Going as a guest instead? Read our guide on what to wear to an Indian wedding as a guest.
