Indian Wedding Budget Calculator
Plan your dream Indian wedding with confidence. Calculate costs across all ceremonies, get per-guest breakdowns, and stay within budget.
Used to calculate per-guest cost
Understanding Indian Wedding Budgets
Indian weddings are renowned worldwide for their grandeur, multiple-day celebrations, and significant financial investment. Unlike Western weddings that typically focus on a single ceremony, Indian weddings often span 3-7 days with distinct events: engagement, mehendi, sangeet, haldi, wedding ceremony, and reception. Each event requires separate planning, venues, catering, and decor.
According to recent studies, Indians spend an estimated ₹3.7 lakh crores annually on weddings, making it one of the largest consumer spending categories after real estate. The average middle-class Indian family spends ₹10-25 lakhs on a wedding, often saving for years or taking loans to finance their child's marriage.
Wedding Budget by Tier
Breaking Down Wedding Expenses
1. Venue and Catering (30-40% of budget)
This is typically your largest expense category. Venue costs vary dramatically:
- Community halls: ₹20,000-₹1 lakh per event
- Banquet halls: ₹1-5 lakhs per event
- 5-star hotels: ₹5-50 lakhs per event
- Heritage venues/palaces: ₹10 lakhs-₹2 crores per event
- Destination weddings: ₹20 lakhs-₹5 crores total
Catering costs per person: Budget ₹800-₹1,500 for vegetarian meals, ₹1,500-₹3,000 for non-vegetarian, and ₹3,000-₹10,000+ for premium/international cuisine. Remember to multiply by guest count for EACH event.
2. Jewelry (15-25% of budget)
Indian weddings place immense importance on jewelry, especially for the bride. Gold purchases also serve as investment and tradition.
- Basic gold set: ₹2-5 lakhs (mangalsutra, earrings, bangles)
- Traditional bridal set: ₹5-15 lakhs (necklace, maang tikka, earrings, bangles, rings)
- Premium/Diamond jewelry: ₹15 lakhs-₹1 crore+
- Groom's jewelry: ₹50,000-₹3 lakhs (chain, ring, groom's sarpech)
3. Clothing and Accessories (10-15% of budget)
Bride and groom need multiple outfits for different ceremonies:
- Bride's trousseau: ₹2-20 lakhs (mehendi, sangeet, wedding, reception outfits)
- Designer lehengas: ₹1-15 lakhs per piece
- Groom's outfits: ₹50,000-₹5 lakhs (sherwani, suit, indo-western)
- Family outfits: ₹1-10 lakhs (immediate family coordination)
4. Photography & Videography (8-12% of budget)
Professional documentation is non-negotiable for most families:
- Basic package: ₹50,000-₹1.5 lakhs (1-2 photographers, basic video)
- Mid-range: ₹1.5-5 lakhs (team coverage, cinematic video, albums)
- Premium: ₹5-25 lakhs (celebrity photographers, drones, same-day edits)
- International photographers: ₹25 lakhs-₹1 crore+
5. Decoration & Flowers (8-12% of budget)
Transforming venues requires significant investment:
- Basic decor: ₹50,000-₹2 lakhs per event
- Mid-range: ₹2-8 lakhs per event (themed decor, floral arrangements)
- Premium: ₹8-50 lakhs per event (elaborate themes, imported flowers, LED/lighting)
6. Other Significant Expenses
- Entertainment (DJ, band, performers): ₹50,000-₹10 lakhs+
- Invitations & printing: ₹20,000-₹5 lakhs
- Transportation (baraat, guests): ₹30,000-₹5 lakhs
- Guest accommodation: ₹1-20 lakhs
- Makeup & grooming: ₹25,000-₹3 lakhs
- Wedding planner: ₹1-25 lakhs (10-15% of total budget)
Smart Budgeting Strategies for Indian Weddings
1. Prioritize Your Non-Negotiables
Identify 2-3 aspects that matter most to you. If photography is your priority, allocate more there and save on decor. If guest experience matters most, invest in food quality and cut elsewhere.
2. Timing Matters
- Off-season weddings (July-September): Monsoon season offers 20-30% discounts on venues and vendors
- Weekday weddings: Save 15-25% compared to Friday-Sunday
- Lunch vs. Dinner: Lunch events cost 10-15% less and allow better venue availability
- Morning ceremonies: Traditional Hindu weddings in morning hours can reduce overall costs
3. Guest List Management
Your guest count is the biggest budget multiplier. Reducing from 500 to 300 guests can save ₹5-15 lakhs across catering, venue size, invitations, and favors. Be strategic about invitations.
4. Consolidate Ceremonies
Combining events (engagement + sangeet, or mehendi + sangeet) can halve venue and catering costs for those ceremonies while maintaining tradition.
5. Negotiate and Compare
- Get quotes from at least 3 vendors per category
- Book vendors 6-12 months in advance for better rates
- Negotiate package deals (e.g., venue + catering bundles save 10-20%)
- Pay cash for additional 3-5% discounts from some vendors
6. DIY Where Possible
Invitations, welcome bags, small decor elements, and favors can be done in-house or by talented friends/family for significant savings without compromising quality.
⚠️ Budget Traps to Avoid
- Emotional overspending: "It's once in a lifetime" leads to regret. Set firm limits.
- Last-minute additions: These cost 20-50% more. Plan thoroughly in advance.
- Vendor hidden charges: Ask for itemized quotes with all taxes and charges included.
- Guest expectation pressure: Your financial health matters more than impressing relatives.
- Ignoring contingency: Unexpected costs WILL arise. Budget 10-15% extra.
How to Use This Wedding Budget Calculator
- Start with your guest count: This drives many other costs. Be realistic.
- Enter estimated costs for each category: Use our guidance above or vendor quotes you've received.
- Review the breakdown: See which categories consume the most budget.
- Adjust and optimize: Reallocate funds between categories based on your priorities.
- Track actual spending: Come back and update with real costs as you book vendors.
Pro Tip: Create three budget versions – ideal, realistic, and minimum viable. This helps you make informed decisions when reality demands compromises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of an Indian wedding?
The average Indian wedding costs between ₹5 lakhs to ₹2 crores, depending on location, guest count, and preferences. Metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore typically see higher costs (₹15-50 lakhs average) compared to tier-2/3 cities (₹5-15 lakhs). Luxury weddings can exceed ₹5 crores.
How much should I budget per guest for an Indian wedding?
Budget ₹2,000-₹5,000 per guest for a mid-range wedding, and ₹5,000-₹15,000+ per guest for a premium wedding. This includes food, venue, decor, and favors. Food alone typically costs ₹800-₹3,000 per guest depending on menu quality.
What are the biggest expenses in an Indian wedding?
The top 5 expenses are: 1) Venue and catering (30-40% of budget), 2) Jewelry (15-25%), 3) Clothing and accessories (10-15%), 4) Photography and videography (8-12%), and 5) Decoration and flowers (8-12%). Together, these account for 70-80% of total costs.
How can I reduce my Indian wedding budget without compromising quality?
Key strategies: 1) Choose off-season dates (July-September can save 20-30%), 2) Host on weekdays instead of weekends, 3) Consolidate ceremonies (combine engagement and sangeet), 4) Use seasonal flowers, 5) Negotiate vendor packages, 6) Opt for lunch instead of dinner (10-15% cheaper), and 7) Limit guest list thoughtfully.
Should I include a contingency in my wedding budget?
Yes, absolutely. Add 10-15% contingency for unexpected expenses that always arise - last-minute guest additions, vendor price increases, additional decor, emergency purchases, or upgrades. Wedding costs frequently exceed initial estimates.
How do wedding costs differ between North and South India?
North Indian weddings (especially Punjab, Delhi) tend to cost 15-30% more due to elaborate multi-day celebrations, higher guest counts (300-1000+), and premium expectations. South Indian weddings are often more modest (100-500 guests) with focus on traditional ceremonies. However, luxury weddings in metros like Bangalore and Chennai match or exceed North Indian costs.