Indian Wedding Planning Checklist

Choose a special date to tie the knotAppoint a specialist wedding plannerDecide the number of guests, location and time of day for the weddingDetermine wedding budget and how the expenses will be divided between groom and brideDetermine how your wedding itinerary would look likeOrganize a system to track payments made and the party who made the paymentCreate and consolidate a guest list from both bride and groom sideDetermine unavoidable factors which may impact your chosen wedding date (e.g. weather, elections etc.)Reserve wedding ceremony siteReserve wedding reception siteReserve wedding photographerReserve wedding videographerDecide on the matrimonial theme and colour Order or renew passport & visa for honeymoon

Reserve your marriage officiant (priest, qadi,minister etc.) Reserve wedding ceremony musiciansReserve wedding decorator/floristReserve wedding catererReserve wedding reception entertainers / musicians / DJDecide who will be your bridesmaids and best men Decide who will be the master of ceremony

Reserve rental items needed for wedding ceremonyReserve make-up artist, hair stylist and costume stylistReserve bridal night suiteFinalize guest list and obtain invitation mail addressesDecide and purchase wedding card invitations; include map of the site for wedding ceremony and receptionCreate online invitationsPrepare a list of wedding helpers (usherers, gift attendant, reception stage coordinator, food & beverage coordinator etc.) and their responsibilitiesBegin planning for your honeymoon

Reserve wedding cakeReserve wedding transport including decoration for wedding car and wedding party entourageRent or purchase wedding attire for bride and groomRent or purchase wedding attire for bridesmaids, best men & parents

More than 12 months before wedding

Between 6 and 12 months before wedding

Between 4 and 6 months before wedding

Between 2 and 4 months before wedding

Decide and purchase party favors, wedding door gifts and gifts for wedding helpersPlan activities for out-of-town guests both before and after the weddingConsider bleeching or cleaning your teeth

Mail wedding invitations and/or e-mail e-invitesKeep track of all invitations and RSVP. Same list can be used to track gifts received and send thank you notesRent or purchase bridal accessoriesPurchase bridal shoesPurchase jewellery (thali, wedding rings, etc.) and arrange for engravingsConsider and arrange for security escort for bride party who will wear heavy jewelleryFinalize your food and drinks menu with catererArrange for a bridal portrait or pre-wedding photoshoot to be taken

Confirm wedding ceremony details and what to bring with marriage officiantContact guests who have not responded and finalize seating arrangementsCreate a detailed timeline of the wedding ceremony & receptionProvide your service providers a copy of the detailed timelineForm your receiving line and decide how they will usher the bride and groom into the wedding siteProvide your photographer a list of special photos you would like takenProvide your videographer a list of special people or events you want included in the videoProvide your DJ the songlist you would like played at your eventPrepare wedding site road guide boards, guestbook and gift containersPrepare and decorate your home

Arrange final dress fittings to ensure your attire is ready and perfectSelect your wedding transport driversReview your wedding itineraryProvide the layout of your wedding reception to your caterer and reception managerProvide the final count of guests to your caterer and reception managerCommunicate last minute changes to your service providersConfirm honeymoon accomodation and reservations and pack for your honeymoonFamiliarize yourself with each other's guest lists

Review this checklist and list down all items to be brought for the wedding Arrange for a trustworthy person to help you pay the service providers on the wedding dayArrange for someone to return rental items after the weddingArrange for someone to place wedding site road guide boards at strategic junctionsArrange for someone to coordinate reception food and beverage layout and receipt with caterer on wedding dayArrange for someone to coordinate reception site and stage - to manage emcee, DJ, entertainers, site lighting etc.

Between 6 and 8 weeks before wedding

Between 2 and 6 weeks before wedding

One week before wedding

The day before your Wedding Day

Provide all members of the wedding party details of wedding day timelinesProvide all service providers details of wedding day timelinesReview ceremony seating with ushersThe Wedding DayReview this checklist and list down all items to be brought for the wedding Bring the official wedding rings and/or thaliRelax and enjoy your wedding day

Send thank you notes to your guests and wedding helpers.Set a budget and buy each other wedding giftsBegin your life together as Husband & Wife!

Post Wedding Day