How To Plan An Indian Wedding

Are you planning an Indian wedding and not sure where to begin? How to plan an Indian wedding? Or perhaps the stress of planning a wedding is getting to you, and you just need a little break? If so, then this blog post is for you.

Why Indian Weddings Are So Stressful To Plan

Indian weddings are so stressful to plan because they are huge, family-centric events that going over budget is often inevitable. 

How to plan an Indian wedding? There are two main reasons why Indian weddings are so stressful to plan. 

Family-Centric Events

First, Indian weddings are very family-centric. This means that you will be heavily relying on your parents and family members to help you out during the planning process. If you are not close with your family members or with your partner’s family members, it can make wedding planning stressful. 

Detailed And Ceremonial

Second, Indian weddings are very ceremonial and detailed. Indian weddings often involve a lot of traditions that must be followed. Likewise, your guests will expect you to follow these traditions as well. This can make wedding planning even more stressful by adding a lot of rules to follow.

But First, A Little About Indian Weddings

An Indian wedding is a huge celebration that usually lasts for several days. It’s where the bride and groom (and their family members) are celebrated like kings and queens. 

Indian weddings are very ceremonial and are often planned around certain dates based on astrological timing, family traditions, and the bride and groom’s horoscopes. 

Practice Sankalpa

The Hindu wedding ceremony is called the Sankalpa and is the actual joining of the bride and groom. 

The Groom’s family hosts the wedding, and during this ceremony, a priest will bless the couple by asking them a series of questions, such as 

“Will you be kind to each other?” or “Will you be respectful to each other?” 

They will also be asked to take a vow of devotion. Guests will be invited to witness and celebrate the newlyweds’ union.

Who’s Involved In The Planning Process?

The Bride: 

The bride is the main person involved in all aspects of the wedding planning process. From finding the venue to selecting the food, and even selecting the décor and choosing the entertainment. The bride is the one who is in charge of making it happen. 

The Groom: 

Even though the groom is not as involved in the wedding planning process as the bride is, the groom is still part of the process. But how to plan an Indian wedding? The groom is part of the decision-making process when it comes to picking the venue, the food, and any entertainment. The groom will also be expected to pay for a portion of the wedding costs.

Parents: 

Indian parents are involved in every aspect of the wedding planning process. From hosting events to finding the venue, parents are heavily involved in planning the wedding from start to finish.

Deciding On A Date And Time

The date and time of the wedding are important factors to consider when planning an Indian wedding. 

Many Indian weddings are traditionally scheduled during the weekend. In most communities, the wedding is usually scheduled for Saturday or Sunday. Guests may get tired and miss their flights if the wedding takes place during the week. 

Timing Based On The Bride and Groom’s Horoscopes

If the bride and groom’s horoscopes are compatible and they want their wedding to be based on astrological timing. They will select the timing of their wedding based on the position of the moon and the planets. This type of timing is only important if the bride and groom are traditional and care about this aspect of their wedding. 

Timing Based On Family Traditions

The bride and groom will also consider their families’ traditions when choosing a date and time for the wedding. For example, in some cases, the groom has to wait until he is of a certain age before he can get married.

Food Tastings And Menu Confirmations

Once you’ve selected the food for your wedding, you’ll have to do a food tasting. 

Food Tasting 

A food tasting is when the chef prepares an exact menu based on what you have chosen for the wedding, and you and your family members or fiancé are invited to taste the menu and give them feedback. 

You will have to taste the menu for both the wedding and the reception. This is a critical part of the wedding planning process because it’s the only time you’ll get to taste the food that you’ll be serving to your guests at the wedding. 

Menu Confirmation

You’ll also have to confirm the menu selections that were chosen for the wedding. If you’re having a buffet-style wedding, you’ll be asked to confirm the number of guests attending the wedding so the chef can prepare enough food.

Decorations For The Day-Of The Wedding

The decorations for the day of the wedding will depend on the type of wedding ceremony you are having. 

Traditional Hindu Wedding

If you are having a traditional Hindu wedding, then there will be a mandap (decorated canopy) in which the bride and groom sit. 

Traditional Christian Wedding

If you are having a traditional Christian wedding, then you will have a decorated altar and chairs for your guests. 

• There is usually a decorated altar set up for the bride and groom to exchange their wedding rings. 
• There will also be a decorated aisle for the bride to walk down and for the guests to enter the venue. 
• There are usually flowers on the chairs for the guests and the groom’s and bride’s seats will have flowers and pillow mints.

Décor For The Reception (Dances, Dinner, Etc.)

The décor for the reception will depend on the type of reception you are having. 

For Traditional Indian Wedding Reception

If you are having a traditional Indian wedding reception, then there will be a decorated stage for the dances and rituals. 

There will be seating for the guests, and the bride and groom will be seated at the front at a decorated table. 

For Non-Traditional Indian Wedding Reception

If you are having a non-traditional Indian wedding, then you can have a more modern and casual reception. 

• The stage can be decorated, and there can be seating for the guests.
• There will also be a table for the bride and groom, and they can have decorations on their table as well. 
• If you are having a buffet-style reception, then the tables for the guests can be decorated as well.

Conclusion

If you are planning an Indian wedding, you’ll have to put in a lot of hard work and put a lot of effort into planning every little detail. You’ll also have to be patient because Indian weddings are very ceremonial and take a long time to plan, prepare for, and execute. 

How to plan an Indian wedding? You will have to plan and manage your time well to make sure you stay on track with your wedding planning timeline. But remember that the result is worth it. An Indian wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you’ll have lifelong memories to look back on.