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Indian wedding planning checklist, month by month

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By the Ivory Gate team, Surrey BC2 min read

In short

Plan an Indian wedding by locking in the essentials first: budget, guest count, dates and the religious officiant, then the venues and caterer. Next come clothes, vendors and invitations, followed by the legal paperwork and final headcounts. Popular dates fill up early, so start as soon as you can.

12 months or more before

  • Agree the total budget and who is paying for which function.
  • Decide which functions you'll host, and roughly how many guests each will have.
  • Check dates with both families, and with your priest, granthi or imam if an auspicious date or a particular venue matters.
  • Book the ceremony venue, the reception hall and the caterer. Popular halls can book up early for peak wedding season.
  • Start the guest list, one family at a time.

6 to 9 months before

  • Book your photographer and videographer, DJ, dhol and decorator.
  • Choose outfits for each function, and leave time for custom pieces and alterations, especially if ordering from India or Pakistan.
  • Send a save-the-date to anyone who needs to travel, especially relatives abroad.
  • If overseas family need visas, ask early what paperwork they need, such as an invitation letter.
  • Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.

2 to 3 months before

  • Send the invitation. See our guide on when to send wedding invitations for timing by guest type.
  • Book the makeup artist and mehndi artist, and arrange trials.
  • Confirm the menu, including vegetarian, halal and allergy needs.
  • Plan transport for the baraat, elders and out-of-town guests.
  • Choose songs, speakers and family performances for the sangeet or reception.

The last month

  • Apply for your marriage licence. A BC licence is generally valid for three months, so check the current rules with BC Vital Statistics before you apply.
  • Chase any RSVPs you're missing, and give final headcounts to the hall and caterer.
  • Do final dress fittings and collect jewellery.
  • Share a run sheet with whoever is managing each function.
  • Prepare envelopes for shagun, vendors and tips.

The final week

  1. 01Confirm arrival times with every vendor.
  2. 02Pack a bag for each function, with outfits, jewellery, safety pins and medicines.
  3. 03Hand the marriage licence and ring details to someone reliable.
  4. 04Update any changed time or venue, and tell guests right away.
  5. 05Assign one relative to take vendor calls on the day, so the couple doesn't have to.

Why the invitation matters more than it seems

Guests need the right time and address for several functions, and those details often change. An invitation website keeps one link up to date and collects replies for each function, which gives you headcounts for the caterer. You can send one Ivory Gate invitation website with every function, map and RSVP on it, from CA$39, one-time.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should you plan an Indian wedding?

Many families start about a year ahead, or longer if they want a popular date or hall. Shorter timelines work too, with fewer options.

What should you book first?

Usually the date, ceremony venue, reception hall and caterer, since these limit everything else.

When should invitations go out?

Commonly around two to three months before the wedding, with a save-the-date earlier for guests who must travel.

Do you need a marriage licence for a religious ceremony in BC?

Yes, for the marriage to be legal. You also need a registered official and witnesses. Confirm current rules with BC Vital Statistics.

Ivory Gate

Make your invitation in 10 minutes

Every function on one link, RSVPs per event, maps and music. One-time from CA$39.

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