First time at a Hindu wedding?

If at all you wear Sari as suggested by some, make it a point not to wear a black or black dominant or white and white dominant Sari. Red, Pink, Dark Green and Blue colours are considered appropriate and auspicious in Hindu Culture. Also a huge bindi will attract too much more male attention, see what appropriate size would look like, better still carry different size and colour bindis in your purse, just in case you might want to change one.

Also please cover up your tattoos if any, especially if on navel or the upper buttock region.

While many or most current generation Hindu males goto Topless Bars and do all other stuff otherwise condemnable in most religions, they will all be there emotionally for a holy event that it is considered to be, kinda paradoxical and hypocritical how human beings are by large.

Wish you a happy and pleasant experience. You should also mention the details of like if it is a Bengali, Marathi or South Indian or North Indian type wedding. Remember INDIA- unity in diversity. Best of Luck!

Ultimately it depends upon your comfort level and traditional nature of the wedding.

My sister's husband is Hindu and while they incorporated some traditions, it was not entirely a Hindu Wedding. My family & I wore what a typical American would wear to a wedding - suits for the men, dresses for the ladies. The groom's side of the family was mixed, some of the ladies wore saris and others wore "american" clothes, the men tended to be in suits or slacks & dress shirts as opposed to anything traditional. Everyone did bring gifts.

If you are comfortable wearing a sari, you should ask your friend if you should get one to wear to her wedding or not - it might even be an opportunity for her to take you shopping. And a gift is appropriate for any wedding.