What to wear to a habesha wedding as a guest
Three events, three outfits — and the one rule about white.
A habesha wedding is usually three days: the church or civil ceremony, the reception, and the melse the day after. Here is how guests dress for each.
The ceremony
Traditional and modest: a full-length kemis with netela for women, kamis with kuta for men. White shemma with any colour tibeb is right — but avoid an all-white, gold-heavy bridal look; that is the bride's.
The reception
This is where colour comes out: purple, emerald, royal blue, red. Off-the-shoulder and chiffon cuts are welcome. Bridesmaids usually wear one colour chosen by the bride — order as a group and ask us for a set price.
Melse
The family day. Simpler kemis, no kaba, comfortable enough for a long lunch and dancing. Many guests wear the same kemis as the ceremony without the netela.
Lead times
Order the ceremony kemis six weeks out. If you're a bridesmaid, get the bride's tibeb photo to your designer early so the colours match.
