An Indian wedding is not one event. It is a festival of five or six, each with its own guest list, look and logistics. The secret to staying calm is starting early and doing things in the right order. Here is the timeline we follow with our couples.
12 months out
- Agree on the overall budget and who is contributing.
- Fix the muhurat or preferred dates with both families.
- Draft a first guest list. It decides almost everything else.
- Bring in your planner, so venue decisions are made with the full picture.
10 – 11 months out
- Book the venue(s) and block hotel rooms.
- Book the most in-demand vendors first: photographers, décor team and caterers.
- Decide the list of functions and the mood of each.
8 – 9 months out
- Lock the décor concept and colour story.
- Start outfit consultations. Couture can take months.
- Send save-the-dates, especially for out-of-town guests.
6 – 7 months out
- Book entertainment, choreographers, artists and the sound & light team.
- Finalise invitation design and print.
- Plan guest travel, transfers and room allocation.
3 – 5 months out
- Menu tastings and bar planning.
- Décor walkthroughs and 3D previews of every function.
- Send invitations and track RSVPs.
- Plan gifts, hampers and room drops.
1 – 2 months out
- Final fittings and jewellery.
- Confirm the run-of-show for every function, minute by minute.
- Seating plans, transport schedules and hospitality desk rosters.
The final week
- Reconfirm every vendor and brief all teams together.
- Pack an emergency kit and hand it to your planner.
- Delegate. From here, your only job is to enjoy it.
Short on time? A wedding can be beautifully planned in four to six months. It just means quicker decisions and some flexibility on dates.
Want this as a checklist built around your own functions and dates? Message us and we will share one.
