How to Plan an Indian Wedding Step by Step | 2023-2024
Updated: Dec 10, 2022
Ajay Manaktala is a Big Fat South Asian wedding expert, having done over 500 Gujarati, Punjabi, South Indian, mixed and even western weddings. He knows the ins and outs of what makes a fantastic Desi wedding beyond just spending a lot of money.
In this post, he explains the proper way to plan a Indian wedding because most articles online kind of just fluff their way through the obvious checkpoints.
These are simple steps for ease of listing but we debated long and hard on the order of them and hope you see why. Things like Pandit selection were left out because that is obvious and your parents will likely take care of that one.
Planning an Indian Wedding?
You're in the right place.
Indian weddings are approaching a $50 billion dollar industry annually, and it's easy to get overwhelmed. I've read so many articles that either are one big boring blog of text (yawn) or simply say "get excited!"as your first tip.
What?
No.
I want to know exactly what I need to do, in checklist for, and WHEN I NEED TO DO IT!
So for the sake of simplicity, here are the 10 steps you need to do and the ORDER they should be done in.
Hope this makes sense!
How to Plan an Indian Wedding Step by Step
1. Figure out Guest List
Time: 1 Month
These questions will make you realize why this has to be first even before your city or hotel:
Can your aunties from India travel to America? (People get rejected for Visas ALL THE TIME)
Is Thailand too hot for old people?
Will your Pakistani friends be able to travel to India easily?
Would grandma have a hard time in a massive Hawaiian hotel waiting for a golf cart to take her to her room in the heat?
Is Las Vegas a good idea if everybody is going to get busy gambling?
Who expects to stay at home with us during the wedding week?
2. Figure out WHERE AND When (month or week)
Time: 1 Month
Once you determine who is coming from where for your wedding, you can finalize the location.
If it's not a destination wedding, it should definitely happen in the home town of either you or your partner. (e.g. If you're from Jersey and she's from San Francisco, don't have it Austin, Texas but sure, have it in Mexico or Hawaii).
As you now know all the people who will be coming you can make sure your location is convenient for everyone.
3. Hire a Wedding Planner (you should if above 150 people)
Time: 1 Month
Unless it's a small wedding, you should definitely spend the $15K or $25K or whatever they charge.
Most wedding planners will save you hotel costs and get you a million freebies, so I would say yes do it. I rarely see a wedding planner who doesn't save their couple large costs or get better deals.
100 Indian Wedding Tips from 20 Years in the Business
4. Find a Venue (and visit location if out of town)
Time: 2 Months
With or without a wedding planner, you should now be on the lookout for Indian wedding friendly hotels in your chosen city that are also available around the time you want.
Also See: How to Negotiate Your Indian Wedding Hotel
Also See: Ultimate Indian Wedding Hacks to Reduce Cost or Get More Value
Best Indian Wedding Venues in California
5. Finalize Order of Events & Sign Hotel Contract
Time: 1 month
Read Next: Is a Sabyasachi Worth It for USA Brides?
You now know:
Who is coming
When your wedding will be
What hotel you want it at or community hall
You should know figure out the date and times for the Mehendi, Sangeet, After parties, receptions, and um..of course, the Wedding.
Also See: Sample Indian Buffet Menus
6. Finalize the Dates & Send Save the Date
Time: Two Weeks
Now you know that your Mehendi/Sangeet are on Friday the 15th and your wedding and reception are on Saturday the 16th.
You also need to figure out how many days you want each family member to come in earlier or stay later (if a destination wedding or international guests are traveling).
7. Start planning all your outfits
Time: 2 to 4 Months
Also See: Is a Sabyasachi Worth the price of a car?
You can go to India or any Indian area in Houston or Los Angeles or New Jersey, and people will happily take your money and sell you stuff that will of course look gorgeous.
Our Favorite Place in Mumbai for Indian Dudes (No affiliation but this is where outfits in our photos came from): TELON FOR MEN
Otherwise, please plan ahead.
Enjoy the process with your mom and friends and don't wait until the last minute. I know you're busy but you're getting married.
How Long Do Indian Wedding Outfits take to Make?
If you want something custom made, custom fit and personalized for you, it will take at least three to four months to get it done properly.
8. Meet vendors such as DJ, Decorator, Lighting, Catering,
etc...
Time: 2 to 6 Months
ALSO See: TOTAL Indian Wedding Costs in America for 2019 and Beyond (Big Fat Wedding)
Now you have to figure out who you're going to spend all that money on. This happens from month 2 to 9 basically. In this phase you'll finalize: