Wedding Planner: Your Guide To Getting Started In India

Planning an Indian wedding can be a complex and time-consuming process, with a host of pre and post-wedding events in addition to the main ceremony and reception. This is where a wedding planner comes in. A good wedding planner will bring expertise, experience, and passion to help turn your dream wedding into a reality. They will guide you through the process, offering helpful hints, tips, and tools like wedding planning checklists and vendor contacts. When choosing a wedding planner, look for someone with a stellar reputation for personal service, long-standing relationships with high-quality vendors, and a dedication to creating unique, one-of-a-kind events.

Planning pre and post-wedding events

Pre-Wedding Events:

• Engagement Party: This is usually one of the first pre-wedding events and is often hosted by the parents of the couple or the couple themselves. It is a celebration of the couple and is typically held within a few months of the proposal.
• Bridal Shower or Couples' Shower: This event is held to celebrate and shower the bride (or couple) with gifts. It is usually hosted by close friends or family of the bride and is held around two months to two weeks before the wedding.
• Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties: These events are usually organised by the best man and maid of honour respectively. They are a chance for the wedding party and close friends to celebrate and are held no later than a week before the wedding.
• Bridesmaid and Groomsmen Luncheon: These are separate events hosted by the bride and groom respectively, held on the day before or the day of the wedding. It is an opportunity for the couple to formally thank their wedding party.
• Welcome Party: For destination weddings or weekend-long celebrations, a welcome party is often held one or two nights before the wedding. It is typically a cocktail party open to all guests.
• Rehearsal Dinner: Traditionally hosted by the groom's family, but now often co-hosted with the bride's family or the couple, this event is held one or two nights before the wedding. It includes toasts and speeches and may be followed by a welcome party.
• Mehndi Ceremony: This is a traditional Hindu pre-wedding event where henna is applied to the bride's hands and feet, and sometimes the groom's as well. It is a joyous celebration with music, dancing, and singing.
• Sangeet: The sangeet is a fun pre-wedding ceremony that involves both families coming together to sing and dance. It is a chance for the two families to bond and forget about wedding jitters.
• Tilak Ceremony: This is the groom's counterpart to the mehndi ceremony. The bride's father and the groom's father exchange gifts, and the groom is offered tilak, a paste applied to his forehead to ensure he will be a loving husband and father.

Post-Wedding Events:

• Wedding After-Party: With many venues having early closing times, an after-party is a fun way to continue the celebrations. It is usually hosted by the couple and is open to all guests, especially the younger crowd.
• Post-Wedding Brunch: A casual brunch held the day after the wedding allows guests to connect and say goodbye, especially common for destination weddings. It is hosted by the couple and/or their families, with invitations extended to all wedding guests.
• Vidaai: An emotional event that marks the completion of the wedding, the vidaai is an integral part of Indian weddings. It involves rituals such as the bride throwing rice over her head and her brothers pushing the car as she leaves with the groom.
• Aashirvaad Ceremony: This ceremony is held to seek blessings from the elderly members of the family and well-wishers. The bride's family visits the groom's residence with gifts, and the couple touches their feet as a sign of respect.
• Dwar Rokai Ceremony: This fun ceremony involves the groom's sister playfully blocking the newlywed couple from entering the groom's residence until the brother presents her with a gift or cash.
• Griha Pravesh Ceremony: This significant ceremony is a traditional Indian welcome for the new bride into the groom's family. She performs a ritual by pushing a jar filled with rice with her right toe to enter the house.
• Mooh Dikhai Ceremony: An important post-wedding ceremony where the new bride is introduced to the groom's family. The ladies unveil the bride's face and shower her with gifts, with the mother-in-law offering presents as a gesture of welcome.
• Pag Phera: In this ceremony, the bride returns to her family home for a few days after the wedding. Her brothers then bring her back to the groom's house, where the couple seeks blessings from the bride's parents.

These pre and post-wedding events are an essential part of the wedding festivities in India, providing opportunities for celebration, bonding, and the exchange of blessings and gifts.

Choosing the right wedding planner

Planning a wedding can be a stressful experience, so choosing the right wedding planner is essential. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect planner for your dream wedding:

Do Your Research

Start by searching online for wedding planners in your area. Google is your friend here, as are wedding planning websites like The Knot and Wedding Wire, which offer directories of wedding vendors. Browse their websites, Instagram, reviews, and other social media platforms to get a sense of their style and aesthetic. Check out their portfolios and see if their work has been featured in any blogs or online magazines. This will give you an idea of their experience, style, and whether it aligns with your vision.

Seek Recommendations

Word-of-mouth referrals are powerful in the wedding planning industry. Ask your friends, family, or recently married couples you know for recommendations. If you're already looking at venues, ask the location manager for suggestions, as they often have a list of preferred vendors. Facebook groups for local brides and past/present brides are also a great resource for recommendations and honest reviews.

Set Up Consultations

Once you've found a few planners you like, reach out and set up calls or meetings. Take note of how quickly they respond and whether their communication style suits you. This initial contact will give you a good idea of whether you click with the planner and want to proceed with an interview.

Prepare for Interviews

Before the interview, make a list of questions to ask. You'll want to know about their experience, whether they're available on your wedding date, if they have liability insurance, their typical contingency plans, their fees and packages, and how they handle vendor referrals and contract negotiations. Ask about their process for understanding your vision and priorities, and how they would execute your dream wedding within your budget.

Evaluate the Fit

After the interview, reflect on how well your personalities and styles meshed. Did you feel like you could work collaboratively with this person? Planning a wedding can be stressful, so you want a planner who offers good moral support and can help you stay calm and organised.

Read the Contract

Before signing on the dotted line, carefully review the contract. Understand what services are included, how pricing and additional fees work, and what their backup plans are for unexpected issues. Make sure you are clear on what you are paying for and what is expected of you.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to finding the right wedding planner to help create your dream wedding!

Finding the best vendors

• Start with the big vendors: Prioritize essential vendors such as your photographer, caterer, hair and makeup artists, and venue. These vendors typically book up quickly, so it's important to reserve them as early as possible.
• Check availability: Once you have a wedding date, inquire about the availability of your desired vendors. Ask if they can accommodate your date and how far in advance you can reserve their services. Also, inquire about whether they take on multiple weddings in a day.
• Browse their portfolio: Most vendors will have a gallery of photos showcasing their previous work. Review these carefully to ensure their style and quality align with your vision. For example, examine a decorator's portfolio to ensure they can create the styles you want, or a photographer's portfolio to ensure they can capture the moments you want to cherish forever.
• Understand the services included: Be sure to clarify what services are included in the quoted price. Ask about any additional services or extras that may incur separate charges, and understand the associated fees to avoid any surprises later.
• Comfort and communication: When meeting with potential vendors, pay attention to how you feel during your interactions. Choose vendors with whom you feel comfortable and who demonstrate professionalism in their communication.
• Read reviews: Take the time to read testimonials from previous clients. Reviews can provide valuable insights into how the vendor works and can help you make an informed decision.
• Photography and Video: The Photoklickers Photographers, The Wedding Poetries, The Clicks Photography.
• Caterers: Suhana Catering & Events, Delicious Food By Rajendra Rawat, Lucknowala Catering Service.
• Wedding Planners: N Square Event Management, Niche Events by Priyal Mehta, Wedding Bazaar Pvt Ltd.
• Transportation: WeddingWire.in offers a list of transportation vendors to choose from.
• Wedding Cards: Seed Paper Invites by Plantables, Gandhi Papers Crafts, Phoenix Wedding Cards.
• Flowers and Decoration: Chirag Events & Entertainment, Wedlock Weddings By Vima, Almas Atiq Design & Decor.
• Entertainment: Bravo Performing Arts, Hosting Hive Entertainment, WeddingWire.in offers a range of entertainment vendors.
• Wedding Gifts: WeddingWire.in has a selection of wedding gift vendors.
• Honeymoon: WeddingWire.in provides a list of honeymoon vendors.
• Mehendi Artist: WeddingWire.in offers a choice of mehndi artist vendors.
• Wedding Choreographers: Wedding Wish Choreography, Sangeet Dance Studio, Aasma Sangeet Designers.
• Wedding Music: Singer Anish Chhabra, Balaji & Raghu's Ilayathendral Orchestra, Jones Music Lab, Chennai.

Creating unique experiences

Creativity is a crucial aspect of being a successful wedding planner. It is important to present unique ideas and implement them to provide a memorable experience for your clients. Here are some ways to create unique experiences as a wedding planner in India:

Destination Weddings

Suggesting unique destinations for the wedding ceremony can be a great way to create a memorable experience. Whether it's a beautiful beach wedding or a grand palace wedding, offering destination wedding options can make the event special. India has a variety of potential wedding destinations, from picturesque hill stations like Shimla and Manali to historic forts and palaces in Rajasthan.

Themed Weddings

Suggesting creative themes that reflect the couple's interests or personalities can make the wedding stand out. For example, a "bollywood" themed wedding with colourful, vibrant decor and entertainment or a "royal" themed wedding in a palace with traditional Indian attire and cuisine.

Pre-Wedding and Post-Wedding Activities

Organising special activities and events before or after the wedding can extend the celebration and create lasting memories. For example, a cricket match between the two families, a fun photoshoot, or a cocktail party with a unique twist, like a bar truck serving signature cocktails.

Unique Entertainment

Entertainment is a key part of Indian weddings, and offering unexpected or interactive entertainment options can delight guests. Suggest ideas like a live sufi singer, a DJ request box where guests can request songs, or a "make your own golgappa" station with flavoured water taps.

Personalised Touches

Adding personalised touches that reflect the couple's love story can make the event unique and intimate. This could include displaying their parents' wedding photos, creating a "love story board" about the couple, or having guests leave notes for the couple to open on their future anniversaries.

Creative Decor

Suggesting creative decor ideas can transform the wedding venue and create a lasting impression. For example, using grass carpeting to give an indoor venue an outdoor garden feel, putting a chandelier in the mandap, or incorporating marigold flowers (genda phool) in unique ways.

By offering these creative suggestions and thinking outside the box, you can ensure that each wedding you plan is a unique and memorable experience for the couple and their guests.

Managing expectations

Understanding Client Vision: Begin by thoroughly understanding the couple's vision, preferences, and expectations for their wedding. Discuss their dreams, themes, colours, venues, and any unique elements they wish to incorporate. This initial step ensures that you are aligned with their ideas and can deliver a wedding that surpasses their expectations.

Communication is Key: Establish clear and consistent communication channels with the couple, their families, and your team. Regular meetings, updates, and progress reports are essential to managing expectations. Encourage open dialogue, address concerns promptly, and provide reassurance when needed.

Realistic Planning: While creating the wedding plan and timeline, be realistic about what can be achieved within the given timeframe and budget. Manage expectations by presenting feasible options and providing honest feedback on what is achievable. This transparency will earn the trust of your clients and help them make informed decisions.

Attention to Detail: Indian weddings are known for their elaborate rituals, decorations, and entertainment. Pay meticulous attention to detail to ensure that every aspect of the wedding, from the decor to the catering, aligns with the couple's expectations. Create comprehensive checklists, conduct site visits, and oversee rehearsals to ensure that no detail is overlooked.

Vendor Management: Cultivate strong relationships with reputable vendors to ensure smooth deliveries. Communicate the couple's expectations clearly to the vendors and hold them accountable for their services. By managing vendor expectations, you can minimise last-minute surprises and maintain the desired quality of services.

Flexibility and Problem-Solving: Anticipate potential challenges and be prepared to offer flexible solutions. Indian weddings often involve a multitude of rituals, guest lists, and last-minute changes. Your ability to adapt, troubleshoot, and provide alternatives will be crucial in managing expectations and ensuring a seamless experience.

Client Satisfaction: Ultimately, your goal as a wedding planner is to ensure the couple and their families are thrilled with their wedding day. Go above and beyond to deliver exceptional service, address any concerns promptly, and incorporate personalised touches that reflect the couple's unique love story.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively manage expectations, create unforgettable weddings, and establish yourself as a sought-after wedding planner in India.

Frequently asked questions