What Is a Mayoon and What Do You Wear to It?

The Mayoon (also spelled Mayon or Maiyon) is the ritual that traditionally opens the wedding festivities, held a few days before the Mehndi. It centers on turmeric (ubtan) being applied to the bride and groom by close family, meant to bless and “brighten” them before the wedding. Because the outfit will come into contact with turmeric paste, Mayoon dressing has its own, very specific rules that are different from every other wedding event.

Why Mayoon Outfits Are Different From Every Other Event

Unlike the Mehndi, Barat, or Walima, the Mayoon outfit is expected to get stained — turmeric paste is applied directly by guests during the ritual. This changes the entire approach to fabric and colour choice:

  • Colour: Yellow and green are the traditional Mayoon colours, chosen specifically because turmeric stains blend into them rather than showing as damage.
  • Fabric: Simple cotton, plain silk, or lawn is traditionally preferred over heavily embellished pieces, since the outfit isn't meant to survive the ritual unmarked.
  • Embellishment: Minimal is standard — this is one of the only pre-wedding events where a Pakistani bride is expected to dress down rather than up.

What the Bride Traditionally Wears

Brides typically wear a simple yellow or green kurta or angrakha set, sometimes with a dupatta draped over the head, and minimal jewellery — often just bangles and a simple necklace, since heavier jewellery gets in the way of the turmeric application. Some brides now choose a slightly more styled version with light embroidery at the neckline, as long as it's not so heavy that it can't handle turmeric contact.

What Family and Guests Wear

Family and guests generally follow the same yellow-and-green colour theme in lighter, simpler outfits than they'd wear to the Mehndi or Barat — this is a daytime, informal function, and dressing down slightly is expected and appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What colour is traditionally worn to a Mayoon?

Yellow and green are the traditional Mayoon colours, chosen because they hide turmeric stains from the ritual rather than showing damage the way lighter or heavily embellished fabrics would.

Should the Mayoon outfit be heavily embellished?

No — minimal embellishment is traditional, since the outfit is expected to come into direct contact with turmeric paste during the ceremony. Simple cotton, lawn, or plain silk is the standard choice.

Is the Mayoon the same as the Mehndi?

No. The Mayoon is a smaller, more intimate turmeric ritual usually held before the Mehndi, with simpler dressing and a smaller guest list, while the Mehndi is typically the larger, more festive celebration.

Explore Reema Ahsan's Luxury Pret collection for simple, festive-appropriate pieces suited to pre-wedding functions like the Mayoon.