Planning guide
The desi wedding checklist: a 12-month planning timeline
Start about twelve months out by fixing your dates, budget, guest estimate and venues. Book photographers, caterers and decorators next, then outfits, makeup and mehndi around six to nine months out. Send invitations three to four months ahead, confirm every vendor in the final month, and hand the schedule to one coordinator for the wedding week.
How far ahead should we start planning a desi wedding?
About twelve months is a comfortable lead time for a multi-day wedding, and longer if you want a popular venue on a peak weekend. Weddings are planned in less time, but the shorter the timeline the fewer choices of venue and vendor you will have. If you are planning in less than a year, follow the same order below and move faster through it.
12 or more months out: what do we decide first?
- Agree on your overall budget and who is contributing. Our budget guide explains how to build one.
- Pick your dates. If your family follows an auspicious date or time (muhurat), consult your priest or family elders first.
- Decide which events you will hold; see Indian wedding events explained.
- Draft a rough guest count for each event, using our guest list tips.
- Visit and book venues, and a planner if you want one.
9 to 12 months out: which vendors do we book next?
- Photographer and videographer.
- Caterer, if your venue does not provide one.
- Decorator for the mandap, stage and florals.
- DJ, sound and lighting, plus any dhol player or live acts.
- Priest, granthi, imam or officiant for your ceremony.
- Hotel room blocks if many guests are travelling.
6 to 9 months out: outfits, beauty and the website
- Shop for or order outfits for each event. Custom bridal wear can take several months to make and alter, so order early.
- Book your makeup and hair artist and your mehndi artist.
- Make your wedding website and send save-the-dates, especially to guests travelling from abroad who may need visas.
- Book transport, the baraat horse or car, and any rentals.
3 to 6 months out: invitations and details
- Finalise the guest list for each event and send invitations, with an RSVP date.
- Do your menu tasting and decide the menu for each event.
- Agree the decor design, stage and mandap with your decorator.
- Plan sangeet performances and start rehearsals.
- Buy or order jewellery, accessories and gifts for family.
1 to 2 months out: confirm everything
- Chase missing RSVPs and give final numbers to the caterer and venue.
- Make the seating plan for the reception.
- Write a day-by-day schedule with every vendor’s arrival time, and share it with them.
- Have final outfit fittings and a makeup trial.
- Check the marriage licence rules for your state or county and apply in time.
- Confirm each vendor’s contract, final payment dates and contact person.
The wedding week: what is left?
- Pack an emergency kit (safety pins, a sewing kit, medicines, chargers, snacks).
- Give final payments and tips in labelled envelopes to someone you trust.
- Hand the schedule and vendor contacts to one coordinator or family member, so you are not answering calls.
- Confirm ceremony items with your priest or officiant (for example puja items, garlands, rings, the mangalsutra).
How do we keep track of all of it?
Keep one shared list rather than separate notes on two phones. The free planning checklist on Desi Shaadi & Co. lets you and your partner share tasks, due dates and who is responsible, alongside the guest list, budget and seating plan.
Frequently asked questions
What should we book first for an Indian wedding?
Can we plan a desi wedding in six months?
When should we send Indian wedding invitations?
Who should keep the checklist?
Keep planning
See every vendor to book and what to confirm with each in the desi wedding vendor checklist, or browse all our planning guides.