Wedding checklist

9 to 12 months before

• Agree the overall budget with both families and decide who pays for what
• Fix the wedding dates with the family priest or muhurat, with one backup date
• Draft the guest list for each ceremony (Haldi, Mehndi, Sangeet, wedding, reception)
• Shortlist and visit venues; check capacity, parking, rooms and the end time for music
• Book the photographer and videographer early; good teams are taken first in the wedding season
• Book the decorator, caterer and the pandit or officiant

3 to 6 months before

• Choose the bridal and groom outfits and plan the fittings
• Book makeup, Mehndi artist, DJ or band, and the Sangeet choreographer
• Reserve guest rooms and plan airport, station and local transport
• Order invitations; send save-the-dates to out-of-town guests
• Plan the menu for each function, with vegetarian, Jain and children's options
• Plan beverages: mocktails and soft drinks, with alcohol only where the law allows (never in Bihar)

1 month before

• Confirm every vendor in writing: date, timing, address, contact person and payment schedule
• Share the shot list with the photographer: rituals, family groups and the people who must be in pictures
• Prepare the ritual items (puja samagri, varmala, kalash, mandap items) with the pandit's list
• Plan return gifts and room welcome hampers
• Make a seating plan for elders and a rest area near the mandap

Week of the wedding

• Share one timeline (day by day, hour by hour) with family and every vendor
• Name one family coordinator for each function who vendors can call
• Keep cash envelopes for shagun, staff tips and last-minute payments
• Pack an emergency kit: safety pins, medicines, phone chargers, sewing kit, snacks

On the day and after

• Check the photographer and videographer have arrived before the first ritual
• Keep someone in charge of gifts and envelopes
• Collect all photos and videos from the photographer and back them up in two places
• Settle final vendor payments and thank everyone who helped