No More Worries: What to Wear When Attending an Islamic Wedding?

How should you dress when attending an Islamic wedding?
This is a hugely popular question for many women when they’re invited to a friend’s wedding, or the wedding of a Muslim boyfriend’s family. Today I’ll share some advice on how to dress for a wedding, as general knowledge, so everyone can feel at ease.


First, we need to know what kind of wedding event we’re attending, between
a nikah (an Islamic wedding ceremony according to religious rites) or a general reception.

If you’re invited to a nikah, which is a religious ceremony sometimes held at a surau, you should dress a bit more modestly and neatly (if you’re Buddhist, think of it like dressing to visit a temple). Or if dressing normally, we recommend neat, modest clothing — long-sleeved tops, or a skirt past the knee, nothing strapless or backless, for example. You don’t need to wear a hijab or dress in Muslim style; simply being modest and neat is enough.

If you’re invited to a reception, which is usually held separately from the nikah ceremony, you can dress as you normally would, just like attending any other reception. There’s no need for long sleeves or a skirt past the knee — you can dress as you normally would.

For friends who might be invited, or interested in trying a hijab, even if you’re Buddhist, this is also a good opportunity to learn about another culture. If anyone would like to try dressing in Muslim style, ask the hosts to advise you on how to dress, or if no one is available to advise you, you can message the admin directly. Trying Islamic dress and learning about Muslim culture is something anyone can do, not limited to Muslims only (similar to wearing Thai traditional dress as a bridesmaid).

Learning about another culture’s traditions is a good thing. Muslims learn to wai their Buddhist elders, just as it’s equally lovely when Buddhists learn to say salam to Muslim elders. Learning each other’s culture, even when we don’t share the same religion, makes society a nicer place to live. Give it a try.

Planning a legally-recognized Nikah in Thailand? Start here →