Planning An Indian Wedding: A Step-By-Step Schedule Guide

Indian weddings are a vibrant, multi-day celebration, steeped in rich tradition and rituals. They are a complex affair, with pre-wedding, wedding, and post-wedding ceremonies, and a multitude of events, such as the Haldi, Mehndi, and Sangeet, all culminating in the wedding day. Creating a timeline for an Indian wedding is essential to ensure that all the major events run smoothly. This involves planning the logistics, including hair and makeup, photography, food, and transportation, as well as understanding the cultural and religious rituals that are to be performed. With a clear schedule, you can ensure that your wedding day is a memorable celebration of your union, filled with joy and cultural significance.

Pre-wedding events: Mehndi, Sangeet, and Haldi ceremonies

Indian weddings are known for their vibrant, cultural events that take place over several days. The pre-wedding events of Mehndi, Sangeet, and Haldi are integral parts of the wedding celebration and are usually close-knit events with only the closest family, relatives, and friends in attendance.

The Haldi ceremony is often held on the wedding day or a day prior. During this ritual, turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom's face and body. Turmeric is considered very auspicious in Indian weddings as the colour represents prosperity. Some families also apply sandalwood powder with rose water. The ceremony is celebrated with drum beats, Bollywood songs, and dancing.

The Sangeet is a celebration of songs and dances, traditionally performed by female relatives and friends, with the bride as the focal point. It is a way to rejoice and bring both families together before the wedding. The Sangeet is usually held two or three days before the wedding, and in some regions, it was traditionally celebrated for up to ten days.

The Mehndi ceremony is another fun-filled pre-wedding ritual where the bride and all the females in the house adorn their hands with beautiful henna designs. It is considered one of the most important pre-wedding ceremonies and is sometimes combined with the Sangeet ceremony. The ceremony is not only fun but also holds cultural significance, representing the holy bond of matrimony and signifying love and affection between the couple and their families. The Mehndi ceremony is usually held a day before the wedding.

Wedding attire: saris, lenghas, sherwanis, and kurtas

When it comes to Indian wedding attire, there are many options to choose from, including saris, lenghas, sherwanis, and kurtas. Here are some tips to help you navigate the dress code for your wedding:

Saris

Saris are a traditional Indian garment that can be worn by women of all ethnicities. If you plan to wear a sari, choose a lightweight, ornate fabric such as chiffon or georgette. It is important to wrap your midriff fully and practice draping the sari beforehand. You can accessorize with bangles, earrings, and a bindi.

Lenghas

Lenghas are two-piece skirt and cropped blouse sets that cascade in colourful, ornate fabrics. They are usually made with silks, chiffons, or velvets and are embroidered with intricate gold or silver threads and beads. The skirt flares gracefully, while the choli crop top remains modest. You can add a chunni scarf to complete the look.

Sherwanis

Sherwanis are traditional Indian attire for men and are often worn at weddings. They consist of a long top and pants, with the groom usually donning a turban. Sherwanis can be made from various fabrics, including silk, velvet, or jacquard, and are often elaborately embroidered. They project a regal, royal lineage in India and are considered elegant and sophisticated.

Kurtas

Kurtas are long collarless shirts, often made from lightweight cotton or silk, and are paired with loose-fitting pants. They can be embroidered or have a dupatta scarf to add sophistication to the look. For a more formal look, men can wear a kurta with a bundi or Achkan jacket.

Other Tips

• It is important to dress modestly and respect the traditions of the event. Avoid revealing or provocative clothing.
• Seek guidance from the couple on any specific dress code requests or colour preferences.
• Indian weddings often take place outdoors, so dress accordingly for the weather.
• Temple ceremonies may require you to cover your head and remove your shoes, so bring a shawl or wrap.
• Stick to traditional colours such as jewel tones and earth tones like rich blues, greens, golds, reds, or neutrals.

Wedding day schedule: baraat, mandap, jai mala, and vidaai

Indian weddings are vibrant, cultural events that can last several days. The baraat, mandap, jai mala, and vidaai are all important rituals that take place on the wedding day. Here is a detailed schedule to guide you through these ceremonies:

Baraat

The baraat is a grand and energetic procession that marks the groom's entrance to the wedding venue. It often involves dancing and festive music, with the groom arriving on a horse or in a car. The groom's family is welcomed by the bride's family with garlands, lit candles, and vermillion bindis. This is followed by the milni ceremony, where the groom greets the bride's family.

Mandap

The mandap is a sacred structure that resembles a dome, where the wedding ceremony takes place. It is usually decorated with flowers and symbolizes the four pillars of support in the couple's new life together. The mandap ceremony begins with the groom's entrance and prayers to Lord Ganesh for blessings and the removal of obstacles.

Jai Mala

The jai mala is a fun and playful ceremony where the bride and groom exchange floral garlands. This exchange symbolizes their commitment, happiness, and excitement before the official start of the wedding ceremony. The families often engage in friendly competition, trying to hinder the couple from placing the garlands on each other.

Vidaai

The vidaai is an emotional moment when the bride bids farewell to her family as she leaves with her husband to start their new life together. The bride tosses a mixture of rice, flower petals, and coins behind her as a sacred blessing for her family, expressing gratitude for their years of nurturing.

10:15 am: Baraat begins with the groom's procession.

10:45 am: Baraat arrives at the ceremony entrance, followed by the milni ceremony.

11:10 am: Groom walks into the mandap, and prayers are offered to Lord Ganesh.

11:20 am: Bridal grand entrance or kanya aagaman, where the bride is brought to the mandap by her maternal uncle or other relatives.

11:30 am: Wedding ceremony begins, including the jai mala.

12:45 pm: Ceremony ends, followed by the vidaai.

Please note that this timeline is just a guide, and the actual schedule may vary depending on traditions, cultural nuances, and personal preferences.

Wedding budget: venue, catering, accommodation, and decor

Indian weddings are a colourful, jam-packed, three-day celebration, filled with lavish décor, delicious food, dance, and lots of relatives! However, planning an Indian wedding doesn't come cheap and it can be difficult to stick to a budget. The cost of an Indian wedding has almost doubled in recent years, with couples opting for destination weddings, couture bridal wear, and pre-wedding photoshoots. The average cost of an Indian wedding in the USA is between $225,000 and $285,000 for a wedding of 300 people. In India, a big-fat-wedding could cost up to 8-10 lacs.

Venue

• Opt for a local venue to save on travel costs.
• Choose a venue that reflects your style and tastes but also works within your budget. A visually appealing venue with sweeping views can be enhanced with lighting and florals.
• Host your wedding and reception at the same venue to save on costs.
• Shop around for the best deals and packages.
• Get married on a weekday as some venues charge extra for weekends.

Catering

• Discuss the menu with your caterer and ensure they are using appropriate and FDA-approved ingredients.
• Be aware of what costs are included in the final bill, such as overhead, labour, linens, and cutlery.
• Choose a caterer with plenty of stalls and a groomed staff to serve appetizers and snacks to your guests.
• Opt for a basic food and beverage package and only add extra items if your budget allows.
• Reduce the amount of food and alcohol served.
• Choose seasonal flowers and floral arrangements to save on costs.
• Avoid an expensive wedding cake. Instead, ask your cake decorator to design a cake that is big enough to serve your guests.

Accommodation

• Keep guest lists small to reduce accommodation costs.
• Shop around for the best deals on hotel rooms for your guests.
• Factor in travel costs for your guests when choosing a venue.

Decor

• Choose a venue that is visually appealing and enhance it with lighting and florals.
• Opt for candles or tea lights to create a romantic atmosphere.
• Delegate tasks to family and friends to save on decor costs.
• Be careful with DIY projects – only take on low-stress projects and remember that less is more.

Post-wedding ceremonies: Grihapravesh, reception, and farewells

Post-wedding ceremonies are an important part of Indian wedding traditions, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the newlyweds and helping both families get comfortable with each other. Here is a detailed schedule for the post-wedding ceremonies:

Grihapravesh

The Grihapravesh ceremony is a traditional Indian way of welcoming the bride into the groom's house. This ceremony is especially significant in North Indian weddings. During the ceremony, the bride pushes or knocks over a jar, pot, or kalash containing rice with her right toe at the entrance of the house. She then steps into the house with her right leg first, leaving behind red footprints that symbolise the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi. The ceremony symbolises that the groom's family has welcomed the bride wholeheartedly and accepted her as an integral member of their family.

Reception

The wedding reception is a celebratory event usually hosted by the groom's side to welcome the bride into her new home and community. The reception is often a grand and lavish affair, with decorations, delicious food, music, and dance. It is an opportunity for the newlyweds to interact with friends and relatives in a relaxed and joyous setting and receive blessings and congratulations from both sides of the family. The reception is usually held on the same day as the wedding or a day after, and it marks the end of the marriage celebrations before the couple goes off on their honeymoon.

Vidaai/Farewells

The Vidaai ceremony is an emotional farewell ritual where the bride bids goodbye to her family and departs from her parental home with her husband. As part of the ritual, the bride throws a handful of rice over her head towards her house, symbolising her wish for her parents' happiness and prosperity and her gratitude for their love and upbringing.

Frequently asked questions