Invited to a Muslim wedding

[Anonymous]

What should I wear? Groom is Syrian. Bride is Palestinian. Wedding isn’t segregated. Both are practicing Muslims - pray, don’t drink, fast. Bride doesn’t cover her head. Doesn’t seem too conservative in dress though I haven’t seen her wear shorts or anything above the knee. Both bride and grooms mom cover their hair. Also for some reason there isn’t a ceremony invite. Just a reception.

[jsteele]

I can't help with what to wear other than probably the same thing you would wear to any other wedding. But, Muslim weddings are normally family affairs and a reception-only invite is standard.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it’s common to only be invited to the reception. Wear what you’d wear to a church wedding ceremony.

[Anonymous]

No direct experience but I'd say a safe bet is to wear something that covers your shoulders and is at least knee-length.

Of course if you have an opportunity to ask for guidance from a relative or friend of the couple (or the couple themselves), it's entirely reasonable to do so.

[Anonymous]

Guests will be wearing western clothes. To be safe you can keep a shawl if your outfit is sleeveless. Aim for a dress that hits the knees or below.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! Really appreciate it. Will stick to something that covers the shoulders and the knees. Hopefully they will be wearing western attire like PP said. Don’t want to stick out.

[Anonymous]

Oh one more thing. They don’t have a registry. Do you think that means they want a cash gift and if so how would I give it to them?

[Anonymous]

I'm Muslim, and our guests wore whatever they would wear to any other wedding - except the ones who wanted to try the traditional South Asian outfits, in which case I helped them pick some out. I think everyone else gave good advice, basically anything that's not too skimpy and showing a lot of cleavage would be appropriate. Knee-length and sleeveless would be fine. As far as the gift you could put cash or check inside of a card...there should be an area for gifts at the reception like any other wedding.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:I can't help with what to wear other than probably the same thing you would wear to any other wedding. But, Muslim weddings are normally family affairs and a reception-only invite is standard.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What should I wear? Groom is Syrian. Bride is Palestinian. Wedding isn’t segregated. Both are practicing Muslims - pray, don’t drink, fast. Bride doesn’t cover her head. Doesn’t seem too conservative in dress though I haven’t seen her wear shorts or anything above the knee. Both bride and grooms mom cover their hair. Also for some reason there isn’t a ceremony invite. Just a reception.

Wear your normal formal clothing, nothing too revealing. I'm assuming they are aware you're non-Muslim, so no one expects you to look like one.

I'm surprise though that the reception is not segregated. Although if the bride doesn't cover, all good, they can't be too religious.

Don't expect booze at the wedding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone! Really appreciate it. Will stick to something that covers the shoulders and the knees. Hopefully they will be wearing western attire like PP said. Don’t want to stick out.

But you can also just ask the bride or groom what is expected. You may not be the only non-Muslim guest so you won't stick out if you wear western attire. I mean, no one would expect you to don ethnic clothing if you aren't of that ethnicity; the bride/groom know who you are and they invited you because you are you...not because they want you to comply with some unknown set of rules...go and enjoy yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What should I wear? Groom is Syrian. Bride is Palestinian. Wedding isn’t segregated. Both are practicing Muslims - pray, don’t drink, fast. Bride doesn’t cover her head. Doesn’t seem too conservative in dress though I haven’t seen her wear shorts or anything above the knee. Both bride and grooms mom cover their hair. Also for some reason there isn’t a ceremony invite. Just a reception.

Wear your normal formal clothing, nothing too revealing. I'm assuming they are aware you're non-Muslim, so no one expects you to look like one.

I'm surprise though that the reception is not segregated. Although if the bride doesn't cover, all good, they can't be too religious.

Don't expect booze at the wedding.

Most Muslim weddings are not segregated unless the families are super conservative or part of a very conservative sect.

[Anonymous]

My niece just got married in Egypt and she wears hijab. She’s 28. She took it OFF for the wedding reception but was dressed conservatively. Her friends ranged from hijab with long skirts to micro minis. However, all women were wearing makeup as thick as Michelin tires, OMG.

I would wear something below the knee and to the elbow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What should I wear? Groom is Syrian. Bride is Palestinian. Wedding isn’t segregated. Both are practicing Muslims - pray, don’t drink, fast. Bride doesn’t cover her head. Doesn’t seem too conservative in dress though I haven’t seen her wear shorts or anything above the knee. Both bride and grooms mom cover their hair. Also for some reason there isn’t a ceremony invite. Just a reception.

Wear your normal formal clothing, nothing too revealing. I'm assuming they are aware you're non-Muslim, so no one expects you to look like one.

I'm surprise though that the reception is not segregated. Although if the bride doesn't cover, all good, they can't be too religious.

Don't expect booze at the wedding.

Most Muslim weddings are not segregated unless the families are super conservative or part of a very conservative sect.

Perhaps it depends on the region the family is from. I've been to several Pakistani receptions and they were all segregated. Don't expect any booze or any women dancing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What should I wear? Groom is Syrian. Bride is Palestinian. Wedding isn’t segregated. Both are practicing Muslims - pray, don’t drink, fast. Bride doesn’t cover her head. Doesn’t seem too conservative in dress though I haven’t seen her wear shorts or anything above the knee. Both bride and grooms mom cover their hair. Also for some reason there isn’t a ceremony invite. Just a reception.

Wear your normal formal clothing, nothing too revealing. I'm assuming they are aware you're non-Muslim, so no one expects you to look like one.

I'm surprise though that the reception is not segregated. Although if the bride doesn't cover, all good, they can't be too religious.

Don't expect booze at the wedding.

Most Muslim weddings are not segregated unless the families are super conservative or part of a very conservative sect.

Perhaps it depends on the region the family is from. I've been to several Pakistani receptions and they were all segregated. Don't expect any booze or any women dancing.

Funny I’ve danced at many Pakistani weddings.

Again, it’s based on how conservative the families are not the religion or the country.