Indian Wedding Planning Made Simple
Expert tools and guides to plan your dream Indian wedding stress-free
Planning Tools
Wedding Budget Calculator
Calculate costs across all Indian wedding ceremonies and vendors
Wedding Guest List Planner
Organize guests by family, track RSVPs, manage seating
Wedding Timeline Planner
Month-by-month planning checklist for stress-free preparation
Auspicious Marriage Date
Find muhurat dates according to Hindu calendar
The Complete Indian Wedding Planning Timeline
Indian weddings are grand celebrations that often span multiple days and involve numerous ceremonies, hundreds of guests, and intricate cultural traditions. Proper planning is essential to ensure everything runs smoothly while staying within budget and honoring family expectations.
12-18 Months Before
- ✓ Set overall wedding budget with families
- ✓ Decide on wedding size (intimate vs grand)
- ✓ Choose wedding dates (consult pandit for muhurat)
- ✓ Book primary venue (marriage hall, banquet, hotel)
- ✓ Book photographer and videographer
- ✓ Start guest list compilation
- ✓ Research and shortlist wedding planners (if using)
9-12 Months Before
- ✓ Book caterers and finalize menu (veg/Jain/non-veg options)
- ✓ Book mehendi artist, makeup artist, hairstylist
- ✓ Start shopping for wedding outfits (lehenga, sherwani)
- ✓ Book DJ/music band for sangeet
- ✓ Book decorator/florist
- ✓ Finalize guest list numbers
- ✓ Book accommodation for out-of-town guests
6-9 Months Before
- ✓ Send save-the-date notices
- ✓ Shop for jewelry (gold, diamond, polki)
- ✓ Book transportation (vintage cars, decorated vehicles)
- ✓ Finalize ceremony details with priest
- ✓ Shop for gifts for family and guests
- ✓ Arrange pre-wedding photoshoot locations
- ✓ Start wedding website/group for updates
3-6 Months Before
- ✓ Print and send wedding invitations
- ✓ Finalize decoration themes for each event
- ✓ Book entertainment (dancers, performers for sangeet)
- ✓ Plan honeymoon and book travel
- ✓ Schedule outfit fittings and alterations
- ✓ Confirm all vendor bookings
- ✓ Apply for marriage registration appointment
1-3 Months Before
- ✓ Finalize event timeline (mehendi at 2pm, sangeet at 7pm, etc.)
- ✓ Arrange welcome kits for out-of-town guests
- ✓ Plan seating arrangements
- ✓ Schedule makeup and hair trials
- ✓ Confirm final guest count with caterer
- ✓ Buy wedding accessories (kalire, joota, etc.)
- ✓ Prepare wedding day emergency kit
Final Month
- ✓ Reconfirm all vendors (calls/site visits)
- ✓ Do final outfit fittings
- ✓ Start beauty treatments (facials, manicures)
- ✓ Create detailed day-of timeline for all events
- ✓ Assign tasks to family members/friends
- ✓ Pack for honeymoon
- ✓ Enjoy your wedding! 🎉
Budget Allocation Guide for Indian Weddings
A well-planned budget prevents overspending and family stress. Here's how to allocate your wedding budget across major categories:
Recommended Budget Distribution (%)
💡 Budget-Saving Tips
- • Choose wedding season wisely (avoid peak Dec-Feb for discounts)
- • Combine multiple pre-wedding events (mehendi + sangeet same day)
- • Opt for morning ceremonies (lower venue costs)
- • Negotiate package deals with vendors
- • Use family connections for vendor recommendations
- • DIY decorations for intimate events like roka
Key Indian Wedding Vendors & What They Do
🍽️ Caterer
Plans menu, arranges food stations, manages service staff. Essential for multi-cuisine requirements.
📸 Photographer/Videographer
Captures all ceremonies, candid moments, creates highlight videos. Book teams experienced in Indian weddings.
🎨 Decorator
Designs mandap, stage, entrance gates, floral arrangements. Theme coordination across events.
💄 Makeup Artist
Bridal makeup, hair styling, saree draping. Often handles bride's family members too.
🎵 DJ/Band
Music for sangeet, cocktail, reception. Coordinates with choreographers for performances.
🕉️ Priest/Pandit
Conducts religious ceremonies, explains rituals, suggests auspicious timings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I start planning an Indian wedding?
12-18 months for traditional multi-day weddings, 6-9 months minimum for simpler celebrations. Indian weddings involve multiple ceremonies, vendor bookings, outfit selection, and family coordination that require substantial lead time.
What is the average cost of an Indian wedding?
Indian weddings range from ₹5 lakhs for intimate gatherings to ₹2+ crores for luxury celebrations. The national average is ₹15-25 lakhs. Costs vary significantly by city, guest count, venue choice, and number of ceremonies.
How many events are typically in an Indian wedding?
Traditional North Indian weddings have 5-7 main events: Roka, Engagement, Mehendi, Sangeet, Haldi, Wedding Ceremony, and Reception. South Indian weddings may have fewer but equally significant rituals. Families often combine or skip events based on preferences.
Do I need a wedding planner for an Indian wedding?
While not mandatory, wedding planners are increasingly popular for weddings with 200+ guests or multiple events. They handle vendor coordination, timeline management, and day-of logistics. For smaller weddings, family coordination with our planning tools can suffice.
Start Planning Your Dream Wedding
Use our expert tools to calculate budgets, manage guests, and stay organized
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