Planning a big, fat Indian wedding in 2025? Don’t get overwhelmed! Bookmark this Indian wedding planning checklist to leave that prep-stress behind!
An Indian wedding is not just an event; it’s a grand celebration of emotions, rituals, colours and culture. With the way we celebrate each wedding ceremony and ritual like a festival, structure and strategy become a must. But how do you achieve it, though? At Wedding Affair, we’ve got you the ultimate 2025 Indian wedding planning checklist that is sure to make your preparations easy and stress-free!
1. Fix the date after checking the Panchang and guests’ availability
We know how excited we get about lehengas and decor when we think of wedding planning. But, hold that thought. Before anything else, decide and freeze your wedding date. Consult a priest for an auspicious mahurat and align it with the family and guest availability. If you’re hosting a destination wedding, consider long weekends or the festive season to fix the date, to offer travel ease to everyone.
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2. Set your budget and stick to it
Budgeting is like a financial GPS for the wedding. It drives the major decisions and helps you filter out options that are most suitable for you. Decide on an overall budget and split it into categories like venue, food, decor, attire, photography, makeup, accessories, etc. Additional Tip: Allocate an amount to last-minute additions or changes because, let’s be real, with Indian wedding planning, those always happen!
3. Book your dream venue early
Whatever your dream venue may be, book it in advance. Be it a regal palace, a beachside resort or a lush lawn in your hometown, reserve your venue at least 9-12 months prior to the wedding date to avoid last-minute panic. Make sure it can accommodate all your wedding guests, is available on your preferred dates, and can offer the wedding aesthetic you are looking for. For a destination wedding, think and plan about the accommodation logistics, travel coordination and weather conditions as well.
Read Also: How to Pick the Perfect Location for Destination Wedding
4. Finalise your events and guests list
Some ceremonies are important, and some can be skipped over. It’s just a matter of personal choice, but requires proper planning. Decide on the events that you want to host for your wedding and create a guest list alongside it for each event. This will give you a realistic idea about the event and help you plan seating, invites, catering and accommodations smoothly.
5. Hire a wedding planner or divide the duties among your squad
An expert wedding planner can help in more ways than you can think, especially if you’re having a grand celebration. From vendor coordination to handling crises, they have the knowledge and means to aid your wedding planning seamlessly. If you’re not hiring a wedding planner, the best way to go about your Indian wedding planning would be to divide the responsibilities among your squad and family members and coordinate with them timely to ensure everything is running smoothly as required.
6. Finalise key vendors
When it comes to booking vendors, the best in the industry always get booked months ahead. To avoid this, prioritise booking your photographer, bridal makeup artist and caterer early. Choosing these vendors requires attention and careful consideration. Ask them for portfolios, trials or food tasting, to test their ability and match it to your satisfaction level. Once you’ve decided on these primary vendors, sign the contracts.
7. Curate your wedding wardrobe as per the timeline
Don’t leave your bridal outfit to the last minute, as it requires a lot of trials and fittings. The same is applicable to your other outfits. Plan your wardrobe for each ceremony: haldi, mehendi, sangeet, wedding and reception. Select their designs, get them fitted and customised as you require, and keep track of their delivery time. Always go through a second fitting check to ensure everything is stitched up as it should be. Grooms, this is important for you too! Plan all your ensembles and accessories in advance, and do at least two fitting checks at different times of your planning.
8. Send out the wedding invites
With the way digital invitations are gaining traction, use them wisely to invite guests at least 3 – 4 months in advance. Follow this with printed invites shortly after as a formal invitation. Make sure your invites catch the attention of your guests, reflect the theme of your wedding, and include all the essential information. Double-check all the details and dates mentioned in the cards and correct if there are any mistakes.
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9. Plan pre-wedding shoots and content days
With Instagram reels, teaser trailers and pre-wedding films becoming a part of the shaadi storytelling, you need to plan your content calendar. Include this in your modern Indian wedding planning by fixing locations, coordinating outfits, booking your photography team and even hiring a social media content creator if needed.
10. Schedule your skincare, fitness and wellness journey
Start your glow-up journey early and make it a part of your Indian wedding planning. Book dermatology consultations, facials or skin treatments six months in advance. Include yoga, fitness sessions and don’t forget to keep hydrated amidst all this. Brides and grooms, take notes! Schedule a few self-care days to manage the stress of planning and keeping up with it effectively.
11. Finalise mehendi and decor themes
From Moroccan mehendis to floral pheras and celestial sangeets, theme-based events are in vogue. Finalise your decor partner and clearly communicate your vision for each event. You can also ask them for mood boards, mock setups and discuss even the nitty-gritty like lighting, installations and budget inclusions.
12. Sort accommodations and transport for guests
Whether it’s a local or a destination wedding, planning guest stays is very crucial and should be done meticulously. Sort out their accommodations and welcome them with itineraries, snacks and emergency essentials that they might require. Coordinate airport pickups and inter-venue transportations for their ease. With this hospitality of your Indian wedding planning is sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests.
13. Get your jewellery, accessories and footwear in order
Finalise the jewellery pieces with each of your looks and outfits, and pair them with other matching accessories. Also, don’t forget footwear. Get options that are comfortable yet complement your outfit. Additional Tip: Break into them before the big day to avoid sore feet and blisters.
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14. Organise legal paperwork and marriage registration
Don’t leave legalities for post-wedding headaches. Gather all the necessary documents well in advance for registering your marriage. Book a date with the local registrar and ensure both families are informed. Though this is often overlooked in Indian wedding planning, it’s a crucial step.
15. Emergency kit for the big day
Make an emergency kit including safety pins, mini perfume, stain remover, lipstick, sewing kit, painkillers, tissues, compact mirror and a power bank. For grooms, don’t forget to pack pocket tissues, mini perfumes, safety pins and band aids for a stress-free day. It never hurts to prepare in advance!
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With a solid checklist in hand, Indian wedding planning can easily become less about stress and more about celebrating and focusing on your big day. So, plan wisely, delegate where you can and cherish every moment of your planning as it unfolds.
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