Event playbook
Weddings planning
From save-the-date to the final vidaai
An Indian wedding is rarely one event — it is a season of ceremonies (mehndi, sangeet, haldi, reception) that each need their own vendor bookings, décor plan and run-sheet. The couples who stay sane are the ones who treat it like a project: one budget, one master timeline and one source of truth for every booking.
Start with the three numbers that shape everything else — guest count, city and number of functions. Once those are fixed, venue, catering and photography (usually 60–70% of spend) fall into place quickly, and the rest of the planning gets much easier.
Use the checklist, budget split and month-by-month milestones below, then shortlist verified vendors on Eventibe.com when you are ready to book.
The checklist
What to do, in order
Lock the foundations
- Agree the total budget and who is contributing what
- Finalise guest count and the list of functions you will host
- Pick 2–3 date options (check auspicious dates and venue availability)
- Choose the city and shortlist 3–5 venues in your budget band
Book the big four
- Venue and in-house or external catering (tastings included)
- Photography and videography team for all functions
- Décor and styling partner with a mood board you approve
- Outfits and jewellery with two rounds of fitting built in
Run the week
- Confirm final headcounts and seating chart with the venue
- Share a minute-by-minute run-sheet with every vendor and family lead
- Keep an emergency kit: safety pins, stain remover, charger, medicines
- Assign one point person per function so the couple never manages logistics
Budget split
Where the money goes
| Line item | Typical range | Share | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue | ₹1.5L – ₹12L | 20–25% | Banquet, lawn or palace; check in-house norms |
| Catering | ₹800 – ₹3,000 / plate | 25–30% | Live counters and desserts cost extra |
| Décor & styling | ₹1L – ₹10L | 12–18% | Floral installations move this number most |
| Photo & video | ₹60k – ₹4L | 8–12% | Album, teaser and full film are separate line items |
| Outfits & jewellery | ₹1L – ₹15L | 10–15% | Allow for tailoring and trousseau travel |
| Music & entertainment | ₹30k – ₹8L | 5–10% | DJ, dhol, sangeet performers, live band |
| Contingency | 10% of total | 10% | Non-negotiable — last-minute costs always appear |
Indicative ranges for a 100–250 guest wedding in a metro city. Tier-2 and tier-3 venues typically land 30–40% lower.
The timeline
Milestones that keep you on track
- 112 months out
Set budget, guest count and dates; begin venue visits
- 29 months out
Book venue, caterer, photographer and key performers
- 36 months out
Confirm décor theme, outfits and send save-the-dates
- 43 months out
Send invitations, book transport, plan mehndi and sangeet
- 51 month out
Final RSVPs, menu tasting, trial looks and run-sheet draft
- 61 week out
Vendor confirmations, rehearsal, seating chart and emergency kit
Go deeper
Guides for weddings
Wedding Budget Checklist: Track Every Cost
A line-by-line wedding budget checklist with percentage benchmarks, a payment tracker and hidden costs most Indian couples forget.
12-Month Wedding Timeline: Month-by-Month
A practical month-by-month wedding planning timeline for Indian weddings — what to book, confirm and pay at each stage from 12 months out to the final week.
How to Choose an Event Venue: 12-Point Checklist
A practical venue evaluation checklist covering capacity, costs, power, parking, weather backup, load-in and contract red flags for Indian events.
How to Hire Event Vendors Without Regret
A step-by-step guide to finding, comparing and contracting event vendors in India — questions to ask, red flags to spot and payment structures that protect you.
Weddings planning — FAQs
- How much does an Indian wedding cost in 2026?
- A 150-guest wedding in a metro city typically lands between ₹10 lakh and ₹35 lakh depending on venue, menu and décor. Destination weddings and multi-function celebrations can go much higher. Fix your guest count and city first — they drive roughly 70% of the final bill.
- How early should we book a wedding venue?
- Nine to twelve months ahead for weekend dates between November and February, which book out first. If your date is flexible, a Friday or Sunday function can unlock better venue rates and easier availability.
- How many vendors do we actually need?
- For a three-function wedding, plan for 10–14 core vendors: venue, catering, décor, photography, video, music, makeup, mehndi artist, transport, invitations, priest, accommodation and a wedding manager. One wedding manager (or a disciplined family lead) keeps all of them coordinated.
- Can we plan a good wedding outdoors during monsoon?
- Yes — choose a venue with a built-in covered backup, keep a tenting budget of 5–8%, and avoid open-air pheras in peak July–August unless the venue has a proven monsoon plan. Late September onward, outdoor setups become far safer.
Ready when you are
Ready to plan your weddings?
Take your brief to Eventibe.com and compare verified venues and vendors side by side.