Start planning an Indian wedding 9 to 12 months ahead. Fix the budget, the date and muhurat, and the venue first, because popular venues and dates in the wedding season book out early. Book the caterer, decorator and makeup artist 6 to 8 months out, invitations and the mehendi artist 3 to 5 months out, send invitations 1 to 2 months before, and pay balances in the final week.
Indian wedding planning timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 9–12 months before | Set the total budget · Fix the date and muhurat with your pandit · Book the venue(s) · Draft the guest list with both families · Book the photographer and videographer |
| 6–8 months before | Book the caterer and schedule tastings · Book the decorator · Start the bridal outfit (custom lehengas and sarees can take months) · Book the makeup artist · Plan the honeymoon |
| 3–5 months before | Order invitations (printed and digital) · Book the mehendi artist · Book the DJ, band or dhol · Finalise the groom's outfits · Jewellery shopping · Book guest hotels |
| 1–2 months before | Send invitations and track RSVPs · Final fittings · Plan guest stay and transport · Sangeet rehearsals · Confirm every vendor's date, time and balance |
| Final week | Pay balances · Pack separately for each function · Prepare an emergency kit (safety pins, medicines, chargers, cash for shagun envelopes) · Hand the day's schedule to one person in charge · Rest and drink water |
Budget categories to plan
List every category before you commit to a total, then track the budget, actual, advance paid and balance for each. Vendors in India usually take an advance at booking, so the balance column prevents last-week surprises.
- Venue(s) and catering
- Decor and flowers
- Bride's outfits · Groom's outfits · Jewellery
- Photography and video
- Makeup and mehendi
- Music, DJ or band
- Invitations
- Pandit and ceremony items
- Guest stay · Transport and baraat
- Gifts and return gifts
- Miscellaneous: keep 5–10% of the total as a buffer
Function-by-function checklist
For each function, plan six things: date and time, venue, guest count, dress code, food and decor, and the vendors involved.
- Roka / engagement: family guest list, ring, gifts exchanged between families, a small meal.
- Haldi: haldi paste, yellow outfits and old clothes you don't mind staining, floral decor, a covered floor.
- Mehendi: mehendi artist and the number of guests getting mehendi, seating, music, light food.
- Sangeet: performance list and running order, choreographer, sound and stage, rehearsal dates.
- Wedding ceremony: muhurat, pandit and samagri list, mandap, baraat arrangements, pheras timing, vidaai.
- Reception: stage and photo backdrop, menu, receiving-line order, gift table and who keeps the envelopes.
Guest list tips
- Split the list by side (bride's or groom's) and by function; not everyone attends everything.
- Track invite sent, RSVP, number of guests and whether they need a stay.
- Give caterers numbers from RSVPs, not from the invite list.
After the wedding: the shagun log
Note who gave what at which function, and tick when you've thanked them. It is also useful when you attend their family's functions later.
Printable planner
The Indian Wedding Planner puts all of this in one 19-page A4 file: wedding overview, a budget sheet with the categories above (budget, actual, advance and balance), a 9–12 month planning timeline checklist, a separate page for roka, haldi, mehendi, sangeet, the wedding ceremony and reception, three guest-list pages, a vendor directory, trousseau and shopping lists, a wedding-day schedule and a gifts & shagun log. ₹699. Planning the rest of family life? See our family & home planners.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I start planning an Indian wedding?
Ideally 9 to 12 months ahead, so you can book the venue, photographer and key vendors for your chosen date and muhurat before they fill up.
What should I book first for an Indian wedding?
Fix the budget, date and muhurat first, then book the venue, then the photographer, caterer and decorator.
What are the main functions in an Indian wedding?
Commonly the roka or engagement, haldi, mehendi, sangeet, the wedding ceremony and the reception. Which ones are held varies by region and family.
How do I track wedding vendor payments?
For each vendor, record the total, the advance paid and the balance due, and confirm the balance and timing in the final month.
When should wedding invitations be sent?
Send them 1 to 2 months before the wedding, and earlier for guests who need to travel or book leave.
Customs and timelines vary by region, community and family; adapt this checklist to yours.