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

Planning an Indian wedding is a complex and daunting process. It's important to start with a budget and a destination, and then book a venue. You'll also need to pick a date, and be aware that South Asian parents often want their children to get married as soon as possible. It's a good idea to understand the Indian wedding planning process before you dive in, even if you're hiring a wedding planner. You'll need to create a guest list, and decide whether you want to invite certain groups to each event.

Budgeting and destination

Planning an Indian wedding is no small feat, and it can be a daunting process. It's important to understand the financial implications and the tight timelines involved. Experts recommend that couples start with their budget and then finalise the destination. This is because the venue is typically the biggest expenditure for Indian weddings.

When it comes to budgeting, it's essential to be realistic and thorough. Consider all the costs involved, from the venue and catering to decorations, entertainment, and attire. Don't forget to include any additional expenses, such as transportation, accommodation for out-of-town guests, and pre-wedding events like the mehndi or sangeet. It's also a good idea to build in a buffer to your budget to account for any unexpected costs that may arise.

To help with budgeting, create a detailed spreadsheet or use a wedding planning app to track expenses. Start by listing all the expected costs, then research and add estimated prices. This will give you a better understanding of the overall budget required. It's also helpful to prioritise expenses, identifying the must-haves and areas where you can be more flexible.

When it comes to choosing a destination, consider the size of your guest list and the type of venue you envision. Indian weddings often involve multiple events, so you may want to select a location that can accommodate all your guests for the duration of the celebrations. Think about the logistics and accessibility of the destination, ensuring it is convenient for your guests to travel to and offering suitable accommodation options.

Popular destinations for Indian weddings include picturesque locations in India itself, such as Goa, Rajasthan, or Kerala, offering a blend of culture, tradition, and natural beauty. However, don't feel limited to these choices; with careful planning, you can create a memorable wedding experience anywhere in the world, from tropical beach destinations to historic venues in Europe or Asia.

Guest list

Planning a guest list for an Indian wedding can be a complex task, especially as these weddings often involve multiple events, such as a mehndi, garba/sangeet, wedding ceremony and reception. To make the process easier, it's recommended to start by creating a list of family names and the number of guests in each family (including children and significant others).

Once you have this initial list, you can begin to assign priority groups to each family. Those in priority group one are your closest family and friends who you will definitely invite. Priority group two are those you will invite in the second round of invitations, and priority group three are the 'maybes' or last-minute invites, depending on your headcount.

If you are having multiple events, you may want to add a column for each event and indicate whether or not you will be inviting each family or individual to each event. For example, you may not want to include children at the wedding reception, so you can note this in your guest list.

It's important to keep in mind that Indian weddings often involve large guest lists, so starting with a comprehensive list and assigning priorities will help you stay organised and ensure you don't forget anyone important.

Timeline

Planning an Indian wedding is no small feat, but with a clear timeline, it can be done. Here is a suggested schedule to help you plan your dream wedding:

6-12 months before

• Pick a date for the wedding.
• Create a guest list, including the family name and number of guests (kids/significant others).
• Assign priority groups to each family: 1 = closest family and friends you will definitely invite; 2 = invite in round two; 3 = maybes or last-minute invites.

4-6 months before

• Finalise the destination based on your budget.
• Book the venue, as this is the biggest expenditure for Indian weddings.

2-3 months before

Choose a mehendi artist.

This timeline will help you stay organised and ensure that you don't miss any important steps in planning your Indian wedding.

Venue

Planning an Indian wedding is no small feat, and it requires a lot of time and money. The first step is to pick a date, which is often influenced by the parents' wishes. Once you have a date, you can start thinking about your budget and finalise the destination. After that, it's time to book the venue, which is the biggest expense for Indian weddings.

When it comes to choosing a venue, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, consider the size of your guest list and whether the venue can accommodate everyone comfortably. Indian weddings often have multiple events, such as the mehndi, garba/sangeet, wedding ceremony, and reception, so you'll need a venue that can cater to all these events or multiple venues for each event. Think about the location of the venue and how convenient it is for your guests to travel to. You may also want to consider the theme or style of your wedding and choose a venue that aligns with your vision. For example, if you're going for a traditional Indian wedding, you might want to look for venues with ornate decor and vibrant colours.

It's essential to start your venue search early, as popular venues can get booked up quickly, especially during peak wedding seasons. When visiting potential venues, pay attention to the details, such as the lighting, acoustics, and layout, to ensure they meet your requirements. Don't forget to ask about the venue's policies on catering, decorations, and timings, as these can vary and impact your plans.

To make the venue booking process smoother, create a spreadsheet to compare different venues based on factors like capacity, location, amenities, and cost. This will help you narrow down your options and make an informed decision. Remember to read reviews from past couples and, if possible, speak to them directly to get honest feedback about their experience with the venue.

By following these steps and staying organised, you'll be well on your way to securing the perfect venue for your Indian wedding.

Mehendi artist

Planning an Indian wedding can be a daunting process, but there are several steps you can take to ensure the process runs smoothly. The first step is to pick a date for the wedding. South Asian parents typically want their children to get married as soon as possible, so it's important to understand the timeline you're working with. Once you have a date in mind, it's time to set a budget. This is crucial, as it will determine the destination of the wedding and the venue, which is the biggest expenditure for Indian weddings.

Now we can start thinking about the mehendi artist. The mehendi is an important part of Indian wedding traditions, so choosing the right artist is essential. When selecting a mehendi artist, it's important to consider their style and whether it aligns with your vision for the wedding. Do you want traditional mehendi designs or something more modern? Take the time to research different artists, look at their portfolios, and read reviews from past clients.

It's also crucial to book your mehendi artist in advance, as the best artists tend to get booked up quickly, especially during peak wedding season. When booking, be sure to communicate your expectations clearly and provide them with all the necessary details, such as the date, time, and location of the wedding. Discuss the number of guests you plan to invite to the mehendi ceremony, as this will impact the artist's fees and the time required to complete the designs.

Finally, don't forget to ask about the products they use. Ensure that the mehendi artist uses high-quality, natural henna and that they are aware of any allergies or skin sensitivities among your guests. By following these steps, you can be confident that you've chosen the right mehendi artist to create beautiful and memorable designs for your special day.

Frequently asked questions