Posted by Mohtaram
on November 01, 2026
Start eight to twelve weeks before the first wedding event. Count from the first event you will wear the sherwani to, whether that is the nikkah, the mehndi or the baraat, rather than from the wedding date on the card. Eight weeks is the practical minimum for a made-to-measure sherwani with hand embroidery; twelve gives you room to change your mind about the cloth or the embroidery, to fit the sherwani more than once, and to collect it with time to spare. If you are ordering more than one outfit for the week, or ordering from abroad, sit closer to twelve.
Why a wedding sherwani needs eight to twelve weeks
A sherwani is a long, structured coat, and a wedding sherwani is usually cut to the groom's measurements and embroidered by hand. The weeks are taken by four things, and none of them is worth rushing.
- Deciding. The cloth, the colour and the scale of the embroidery are three separate choices, and they are easier to make with the bride's outfit and the venue in mind. Most grooms need more than one conversation to settle them.
- Making. The sherwani is cut to your measurements at Qasr-e-Mohtaram, our atelier in G-6/3, Islamabad.
- Embroidery. Dabka, kora, sequins and threadwork are done by hand. A sherwani with work only at the collar and cuffs, such as the Pearl White Sherwani with Matte Gold Embroidery (PKR 149,900), asks less of the calendar than one worked across the whole front, such as the Sherwani in Ivory Raw Silk with Hand Embroidered Motifs (PKR 189,900).
- Fitting. The sherwani is tried on before it is finished, so the collar, shoulders, length and sleeves can be adjusted while there is still time to do it properly.
You can see the range of cloths and embroidery in our sherwani collection, which includes raw silk, karandi jamawar, jacquard jamawar and textured weaves.
A working timeline, counted back from the first event
Every wedding is different, but the order below suits most. Count the weeks back from the first function you will wear a Mohtaram outfit to.
Twelve to ten weeks before: the consultation
Book the first consultation. It is complimentary, and a wedding consultation is given a longer appointment than a standard one so there is time to look at cloths properly. Bring photographs of the bride's outfit or a swatch if you have one, pictures of the venue, and anything you have saved for reference. You leave having chosen a direction and with your measurements taken.
Ten to eight weeks before: settle the details
Confirm the cloth, the colour and the embroidery. This is also the time to decide on everything that is worn with the sherwani: the kurta and shalwar or churidar beneath it, the shoes and, if you are wearing one, the turban. Deciding these together keeps the colours consistent.
The middle weeks: making and embroidery
The sherwani is cut and the embroidery is worked. You do not need to do much in these weeks, which is the point of starting early.
The final weeks: fitting and collection
Come in for the fitting, try the sherwani with the shoes you will wear, and sit down in it as you would on the stage. Small changes at this stage are normal. Aim to collect the finished sherwani at least a week before the first event, so that a late adjustment is a calm one.
If you have more than one event
Many grooms now wear a different outfit for the nikkah, the baraat and the valima. Each piece follows its own timeline, and they are best ordered together so that one does not hold up another. The baraat sherwani usually takes the longest because it carries the most embroidery; a sherwani with work only at the neckline, or one without embroidery at all such as the Sherwani in Oatmeal Textured Weave (PKR 109,900), made to order, is simpler. Deeper colours such as black and celestial blue, often chosen for the valima, sit alongside the baraat pieces in our ceremonial collection, and our waistcoats and bandhgallas suit the mehndi.
If the groom's father and brothers are also being dressed, include them in the first consultation. Matching or complementary outfits for the family are easier to plan in one sitting than in several.
If you are getting married from abroad
If you live outside Pakistan, start at twelve weeks. The first consultation can be held on a video call, and you can choose your cloth and embroidery and go through your measurements without coming to Islamabad. Allow for your travel dates when planning the fitting, and tell us when you will land so the final weeks can be arranged around it.
What if you have less than eight weeks
Tell us your date when you book. Whether a particular sherwani can be ready in less time depends on the cloth and how much hand embroidery it carries, so the honest answer comes at the consultation rather than in advance. Lighter embroidery, or a cloth whose pattern is woven in, such as the Traditional Sherwani in Golden Jacquard Jamiawar (PKR 164,900), generally leaves more room than a fully worked front.
Book the first consultation
The first consultation is complimentary, at the atelier in G-6/3 or by video. You can book your consultation here.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to make a wedding sherwani?
Plan for eight to twelve weeks from the first consultation to collection. The time depends mainly on the amount of hand embroidery; a sherwani worked only at the collar and cuffs is quicker than one embroidered across the front.
When should a groom order his sherwani?
Eight to twelve weeks before the first event he will wear it to, not the wedding date itself. If you are ordering several outfits for the week or ordering from abroad, start at twelve weeks.
Can I order a wedding sherwani from outside Pakistan?
Yes. The first consultation can be held on a video call, where you choose the cloth and embroidery and go through your measurements. The fitting is then planned around your travel dates.
