Zap, thanks. The crazy thing is she's won two Emmys already and a film she edited won an Oscar for best short documentary a couple of years ago, so she's considering not even going this time... I told her I'd happily be her stand-in!

Una, I would absolutely wear a sari to an Indian wedding and I'm 31.

The auntie look comes from:

A figure with more avoirdupois than yours
Full coverage blouses
Stiff starched saris that stand away from the body when worn, creating extra bulk.

If you have a modern cut blouse that shows a little skin (sleeveless or shorter sleeves, scoop neck or back) and a sari that drapes well (silk georgette is particularly nice), there will be zero risk of you looking like an auntie.

You know if you wanted to dress up in your Indian clothes and post photos for the forum to evaluate, it's not like anyone would mind.

(Because I'm a narcissist, I've attached photos of my sari with the scandalous blouse (halter top/backless) from the last wedding I went to. With a conventional blouse and the sari draped around more of my body, it would have looked auntie-ish)

Gorgeous, Sylvie! You're 15 years younger than me, girl! No danger of being mistaken for an auntie. You have the skin tone to wear those lovely pastels, which my aunts are always trying to make me wear. My nicest sari is a silk georgette in turquoise and fuschia. I'm not sure I can still fit the blouse either. Frankly, I love all the cool new blouses - halters, strapless, etc. - and the "Americans" in my family can get away with fashion slips more easily.

I may post sari photos for evaluation... another problem is that while I can function in a sari, I can't dance without having to grab extra fabric in a way that is quite indecent.

Can you do one dress for both the wedding and the Oscars? (cheapie me thinking of the budget here)

Okay, okay. Understandable if this wedding is glam. Please promise to wear that orange frock often, though. You were ahead of the color trend, no?

Also, congrats to your sister! Incredible!

Heather, trust me, I will! It is going to Hawai'i with me! I need more events or better weather...

Can you wear it in NOLA out to dinner at least? The South ALWAYS welcomes you, Friend!!!

Una, this is tthe knockout image of you I am seeing - in fuchsia and orange sari with a trendy halter neck blouse and some strong, killer gold jewelry. With your shoulders and your hair, you will look like an Indian supermodel! Go one step further and get a henna tattoo on your back above the blouse line and decorate with a few tiny rhinestones...oh my, I really want to see you dressed like this now.

ETA: I think you should be able to find a solid orange/fuchsia halter blouse online.

Heather, there's a party the night before the reception (so Indian to have a pre-party party) on Bourbon Street, so YES, I will bring the dress!

Vani, you are so sweet! I've never bought Indian clothes online - any suggestions for websites?

Una, I know a friend ordered from this site a long, long time ago but I don't recall what her feelings were about the fit and quality. They offer customizations and the prices seem reasonable: http://www.utsavfashion.com/stylez/saree

The sarees look gorgeous though sometimes, the way the pictures are, the blouse details are hard to decipher.

Good luck!