At a Moroccan wedding, the colours of the kaftan follow the stages of the celebration: green and gold for the henna night, white for the bride's entrance, then the colours of the regional outfits, such as the blue of the r'batia from Rabat. Green stands for good fortune, white for purity. Beyond these codes, you choose a colour according to the occasion, the season and your complexion, with a single rule for guests: leave white to the bride.
What the colours of the kaftan say
A colour is never read on its own: the fabric and the embroidery transform it, as our guide to the Moroccan kaftan shows. Here are the most common associations.
| Colour | What it is associated with | When to wear it |
|---|---|---|
| White, ivory | Purity; the colour of the bride | The bride's entrance |
| Green | Good fortune, in Moroccan tradition | Henna night, with gold |
| Gold, golden | The splendour of the celebration | Henna night, evening parties, embroidery |
| Royal blue, midnight blue | The r'batia, the outfit of Rabat | Evening parties, guests |
| Red, burgundy | A bold, festive colour | Winter evening parties |
| Pink, fuchsia, lilac | A contemporary look | Engagements, daytime celebrations, evening parties |
| Beige, camel, taupe | Understated elegance | Daytime celebrations |
| Black | Evening elegance | Evening parties, ideally with gold embroidery |
The white and ivory kaftan
White is the colour of purity and the colour of the bride, who makes her entrance in a white takchita. It comes in pure white, ivory, off-white or champagne: pure white catches the light, while ivory and champagne soften the complexion. A guest does not wear it. The embroidery sets its character: tone on tone for a sober effect, gold to warm it, silver for a cooler light. See our white kaftans and our article on the outfits of the Moroccan bride.
The green kaftan
Green is the colour of the henna night: the bride traditionally wears a green kaftan enhanced with gold. Outside the henna night, a green kaftan can be worn to any celebration. Emerald, fir green and teal are the most formal, while sea green suits daytime celebrations. Green calls for gold, in the embroidery as in the jewellery, and for emerald stones.
Royal blue, midnight blue and turquoise
Blue is the colour of the r'batia, the outfit of Rabat that the bride sometimes wears as the evening goes on: a vivid blue embroidered with silver. Royal blue is one of the safest choices for a guest; intense without being loud, it flatters most complexions and works with gold as well as silver. Midnight blue, darker, plays on evening elegance; turquoise and sky blue brighten daytime celebrations.
The red and burgundy kaftan
Red is a bold, festive colour that holds the evening light and suits winter weddings, especially in velvet. Burgundy, darker, is worn with more restraint and goes well with gold embroidery. Both pair with gold jewellery and red or burgundy stones.
Pink, fuchsia and lilac
Powder pink, fuchsia and lilac give the kaftan a more contemporary look. Powder pink and lilac, being soft, suit engagements and daytime celebrations. Fuchsia, being vivid, is worn in the evening and is enough on its own, with gold or rose gold jewellery.
Beige, camel and taupe
Neutral tones highlight the embroidery more than the colour. A camel or taupe kaftan, embroidered with gold or edged with beaded trim, suits daytime celebrations and guests looking for an understated outfit. The jewellery stays gold, with nude or brown stones.
The black kaftan
The black kaftan is an evening piece. Long avoided at weddings, it is worn there today, especially when embroidered with gold or with golden arabesques that make it festive. In a family attached to tradition, it is better kept for a dinner or an evening party. It works with every metal, and a single stone colour is enough.
Which kaftan colour suits your complexion?
Warm complexions, golden or olive, generally go with warm, deep colours such as emerald, burgundy and camel, and with gold. Fair, cool complexions wear royal blue, lilac, powder pink and silver well. Pure white flatters olive skin, while ivory and champagne soften fair complexions. The safest approach is still to try the colour in daylight, close to the face.
Which colour for which moment of the wedding?
| Moment | The bride | The guests |
|---|---|---|
| Henna night | Green and gold | Vivid or deep colours, without repeating the bride's green and gold |
| Entrance on the amariya | White takchita | Every colour except white and ivory |
| Regional outfits | Fassia from Fez, blue r'batia from Rabat, sahraouia, soussia | Outfit unchanged |
These outfits are described in our article on the outfits of the Moroccan bride, and the rules for guests in what to wear to a Moroccan wedding. Our kaftans for wedding guests come in every colour except white.
Frequently asked questions
What colour does the Moroccan bride wear for the henna night?
Green enhanced with gold. In Moroccan tradition, green symbolises good fortune; white is reserved for the wedding day.
What does the white kaftan symbolise?
Purity. It is the colour of the bride, who makes her entrance in a white takchita; guests avoid it.
Can you wear a black kaftan to a wedding?
Yes, more and more, especially in the evening and embroidered with gold. In a very traditional family, it is better to choose another colour.
Which kaftan colour should a guest choose?
Any colour except white and ivory. Royal blue, emerald, burgundy and fuchsia are the most worn in the evening, pastel tones during the day.
What colour is the r'batia?
Blue. The r'batia, the outfit of Rabat that the bride sometimes wears as the evening goes on, is a vivid blue embroidered with silver.
What jewellery goes with an emerald green kaftan?
Gold jewellery, with emerald stones: green calls for gold, in the embroidery as in the jewellery.
Sources (in French): Wikipedia, Mariage marocain; Middle East Eye, "Caftan, hammam et amariya : dans la magie des mariages marocains".
Updated on 16 September 2026.