Quick answer: The walima is the wedding reception, hosted by the groom's family — formal but lighter than the baraat. Wear elegant pastels, soft neutrals or lighter jewel tones (blush, lavender, powder blue, sage, champagne, silver), with refined rather than the heaviest embroidery. Avoid white, all-black, bright red and neon. The bride often wears pink or peach, so coordinate rather than match. Think sophisticated dinner party, not red-carpet drama.
The walima is the reception traditionally hosted by the groom's family the day after the baraat — a celebration of the newly married couple and an introduction of the bride to the groom's extended family. Here's how to dress for it.
What is the walima?
It's an elegant, celebratory evening event — usually a formal dinner with a receiving line, speeches and photographs, running around 3–5 hours. The vibe is more relaxed than the baraat but still formal: think upscale dinner party rather than the high drama of the main wedding, so your outfit can be a touch lighter than your baraat look.
Best colours for the walima
| Colour | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Blush / dusty pink | Soft, romantic, photographs beautifully |
| Lavender / lilac | Elegant and feminine |
| Powder blue | Fresh, elegant, flattering |
| Mint / sage | Fresh, modern, sophisticated |
| Champagne / ivory | Timeless (soft ivory, not stark white) |
| Silver / grey | Elegant and modern, especially evening |
| Soft gold | Celebratory and elegant without being heavy |
Softer jewel tones — soft teal, dusty emerald, muted burgundy — also work beautifully. Avoid white (still a mourning colour; soft ivory is fine), bright red (the bride's colour), all-black (too sombre), and very bright or neon shades (save those for the mehndi). The bride often wears pink, peach or pastel at the walima, so if you know her shade, choose something complementary rather than matching. (See our full colour rules.)
Best outfit styles
The walima suits elegant, flowing silhouettes that can be a little lighter than the baraat: an elegant lehenga, a graceful gharara, a sharara with a flowing dupatta, a contemporary gown-style outfit, or a long anarkali. Choose flowing fabrics and make sure you can sit and dine comfortably through a long evening.
For guests
Aim for formal but not maximum formality — an elegant, sophisticated outfit in soft, refined colours. If you wore your heaviest outfit to the baraat, the walima can be slightly lighter while still polished, finished with appropriate jewellery. If the mehndi and walima guest lists don't overlap much, you could repeat an elegant mehndi outfit, though closer guests are usually expected in a different look.
For family
The walima is hosted by the groom's family, so the mother of the groom has the highest visibility — this is often her most important outfit of the wedding, so an elegant lehenga or formal gharara in a sophisticated pastel or soft jewel tone is ideal. The mother of the bride attends as an honoured guest — elegant and refined in complementary soft colours, without overshadowing the hosts (see our mother of the bride guide). The groom's sisters, welcoming guests, often coordinate with each other, and the bride's sisters dress elegantly and appropriately.
Best embroidery for the walima
Refined work suits the walima better than the heaviest bridal embellishment: elegant zardozi, pearl work, subtle crystal or stone work, tonal threadwork, or fine sequin and cutwork. All-over light work, border-concentrated work, or a bodice focus all read as sophisticated.
Styling tips
Jewellery: elegant and refined rather than as heavy as the baraat — delicate pieces, pearls and soft metallics, quality over quantity. Shoes: elegant heels or embellished flats you can wear for a long evening, with metallics complementing most outfits. Hair and make-up: polished soft glam — romantic waves or an elegant updo. Dupatta: lighter, flowing drapes suit the walima beautifully (see our dupatta draping guide).
What to avoid
White (still inappropriate), all-black (too sombre), matching the bride (coordinate, don't copy), mehndi-bright colours (too casual), and overly heavy or dramatic looks (save those for the baraat). The walima is the elegant middle ground — not as bright as the mehndi, not as heavy as the baraat.
Shop walima outfits
Browse the walima collection for elegant reception pieces, the nikah collection for soft options, or by colour: pink, nude/beige, ivory, silver/grey and purple. Every AÏNN London outfit is made to your measurements in your exact shade from a 900+ hand-dyed colour library, with a video before dispatch; in-stock pieces ship in around 10–12 days and made-to-order takes roughly 4–6 weeks. Need help? Book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear to a walima?
An elegant outfit in a soft pastel, neutral or lighter jewel tone — blush, lavender, powder blue, sage, champagne or silver — with refined embroidery. A lehenga, gharara, sharara, gown or anarkali all suit the reception. It's formal but a touch lighter than the baraat.
What colours should I avoid at a walima?
Avoid white (a mourning colour; soft ivory is fine), bright red (the bride's colour), all-black (too sombre) and very bright or neon shades. The bride often wears pink or pastel, so coordinate rather than match.
How is the walima different from the baraat?
The baraat is the main wedding ceremony — maximum formality and the heaviest outfits. The walima is the reception: still formal and elegant but lighter and more relaxed, so your outfit can be a little softer and less heavily embellished.
Can I repeat an outfit between events?
If the mehndi and walima guest lists don't overlap much, you could repeat an elegant mehndi outfit at the walima. Closer guests and family are usually expected in a different look for each event.
Last updated: June 2026
