We call it the best wedding planning guide because we are here as friends today. We won’t tell you the steps. You won’t be asked to do this and then that. Rather, we have jotted down where wedding planners struggle.
Through this article, we will guide you through the hardest steps of wedding planning. With this, we want to equip you with all that you need. For those who prefer a more focused approach, we have added details in each section for clarity.
Now, let’s start.
A. What is the difference between Indian and Western weddings?
Indian weddings are a lot more elaborate than Western weddings. A typical Indian wedding involves more than 2-3 days of events. For example, they have Mehndi, Sangeet, and Haldi. All wedding events are deeply ritualistic and hence, time-consuming.
On the other hand, Western weddings are usually a one-day event. They focus on the main wedding ceremony and very few pre-wedding events.
At Indian weddings, you can expect hundreds if not thousands of guests. It requires a lot of money and coordination. However, Western weddings are typically on a smaller scale. They offer a more intimate and personalized experience.
Another major difference lies in the wedding decor. As you can expect, Indian weddings call for vibrant maximalist decor. Whereas, Western weddings have white as the dominating color. They take up a comparatively minimalist style.
Understanding these distinctions is important if you’re a wedding planner.
B. What is an intimate wedding?
Intimate weddings are small-scale and private events. They typically include a simple wedding ceremony and a reception. The guests are typically fewer than 50. However, the headcount varies from culture to culture.
Couples are increasingly going for this type of wedding to cherish memories with their closest ones. It’s good for cost-cutting and creating meaningful experiences.
The best part about intimate weddings is the degree of personalization. With a smaller guest count, you get a lot of liberty. You can customize their gifts or their experiences.
For example, each guest can get a one-day vacation to a nearby resort as a gift. Or to keep it simple and inexpensive, each guest could receive a handwritten note.
Take consistent inspiration from each event milestone, and keep everything simple for an intimate, joyful atmosphere. However, the most important step in how to plan a wedding of this style is venue selection. You need a charming venue that’s perfect for your guest size.
C. What is a metaverse marriage?
Here’s an unexpected one on the list, isn’t it?
That’s why it’s the best wedding planning guide. Metaverse weddings are so underrated.
And this is the best time to plan one as not many are doing it. You’ll get fame overnight if you pull it off.
But first, you need to know what metaverse weddings are. They’re virtual wedding ceremonies that take place in a digital environment.
Even though it’s virtual, guests attend the wedding as avatars. They interact and enjoy perks like they would at a real wedding. Of course, it comes with creative twists. For example, instead of an actual buffet, they can get food coupons to be used online.
It’s not impersonal. Rather, it’s a very futuristic immersive experience.
If the idea sounds exciting, you’d definitely want to pitch it to your tech-savvy clients who might be looking for a guide to wedding planning that breaks the mold.
D. How do I find a theme for my wedding?
Some clients will come knowing exactly what they want. That’s an event planner’s dream.
But sometimes you’ve to do the hard work. And your client also has to like that hard work.
This step is a bit tricky as the wedding planner would be required to understand the client deeply. Start by asking them about their personalities, aesthetic sense, interests, and core memories together.
Then, you might also research all the trending wedding themes. In this age and date, everyone is influenced by social media. So, chances are that your couple will be accepting of trendy ideas.
Even within trending or traditional ideas, you should have a degree of personalization. To illustrate, if your theme is “college,” then recreate the college setup of the couple. This is how you personalize wedding themes.
And thus, it becomes essential to put in time and effort to understand your clients. Your wedding theme must evoke emotions. It should tell stories.
Select a venue that supports the theme the best. Your clients will thank you for the rest of their lives.
E. How to choose a wedding venue in India?
There are a ton of things you need to consider while selecting a wedding venue. For example:
- Capacity
- Services
- Charges
- Proximity
- Reviews
If you’re a wedding planner in Delhi, India, you can do a broader search of various neighborhoods. But even if you’re not, the fundamentals remain the same. You need to check venue availability, read about past experiences, and compare your budget with the venue’s fee.
Stay organized. Make a list of the possible venues that suit your wedding plan in terms of style and pricing. If needed, visit them in person to see if the reality matches the description. Focus on factors like parking, on-site facilities, and whether they offer in-house catering. Every detail counts.
If the venue falls out of your client’s budget, keep looking for alternatives. There are usually hidden gems that are both affordable and well-equipped for weddings.
If you’d like more suggestions, gather recommendations from fellow planners, but remember to do your own checks.
F. How do I keep track of my wedding vendors?
Wedding vendors can make things very fussy. Coordinating with so many people along with difficult event clients isn’t easy.
Here are some pro tips:
- Detailed contracts: Your contract will be the backbone of your professional relationship. Get a formal written contract that’s very comprehensive. It should outline responsibilities, deliverables, payment schedule, cancellation policies, and any additional terms specific to the event requirements.
- Budget allocation: Decide how much of your budget goes to each vendor at the very start. This will help avoid overspending later.
- Shop around: It’s also a good idea to reach out to as many vendors as possible. Get all the options in place and then make an informed decision.
- Responsiveness: Hire vendors that reply promptly. You need good chemistry and professional courtesy.
- Gratitude: At the end of the event, communicate your thanks. This builds a lasting professional relationship, which can translate into better discounts in the future.
However, this is just about vendor management. Another question is:
Which vendors do I need?
You may need caterers, florists, decorators, photographers, videographers, DJs or bands, wedding planners (if you’re not one yourself), and more. Think carefully about each aspect of the wedding that needs professional attention.
G. How expensive is it to get married?
Now let’s address the elephant in the room. How much is it going to cost you to have a wedding?
Well, it really depends on the country. Here are some projections:
1. Indian wedding costs
- Small-scale wedding: INR 5,00,000 to INR 10,00,000
- Mid-size wedding: INR 15,00,000 to INR 30,00,000
- Lavish wedding: INR 50,00,000 and above
2. American wedding costs
- Small-scale wedding: USD 5,000 to USD 15,000
- Mid-size wedding: USD 20,000 to USD 40,000
- Lavish wedding: USD 50,000 and above
3. British wedding costs
- Small-scale wedding: GBP 5,000 to GBP 15,000
- Mid-size wedding: GBP 20,000 to GBP 40,000
- Lavish wedding: GBP 50,000 and above
However, do keep in mind that these costs are subject to change with inflation and your preferences. If you’re just starting out, these projections should give you a direction.
But if you do not like where it is taking you, you may need a deeper look at a guide to wedding planning that focuses on budgeting. Allocating funds properly is a huge part of how to plan a wedding effectively.
H. How much will a destination wedding cost?
Couples that want to go the extra mile can enjoy their wedding with a honeymoon-like vibe. However, it comes at a cost.
To give you a fair idea, here are some approximations:
A destination wedding in India will cost you:
- Small-scale wedding: INR 20,00,000 to INR 50,00,000
- Mid-size wedding: INR 50,00,000 to INR 1,00,00,000
- Lavish wedding: INR 1,00,00,000 and above
If you want to have a destination wedding abroad, you can expect these expenses:
- Small-scale wedding: USD 15,000 to USD 30,000
- Mid-size wedding: USD 30,000 to USD 100,000
- Lavish wedding: USD 100,000 and above
However, you’ll know the real costs only after knowing all the requirements. The costs will also significantly change based on how many guests you have.
I. How do you prepare for a bachelor's party?
Well, this isn’t what every wedding planning guide tells you. But, it’s definitely what modern clients ask of a wedding planner.
So, we’re including it here to make this the best guide to wedding planning possible.
For the first step, get comfortable with the groom. We’re not talking about the “favorite color” level of comfort. We mean understanding his personal preferences—even the ones he may be shy to share openly.
Then, after these conversations (if you know, you know!), it’s time to set the budget. The groom’s friends often share the financial load.
Finalize the date based on the friend circle’s availability, and arrange for transport and accommodation. Create an itinerary with a mix of activities to maintain a sense of spontaneity.
Typical activities in a bachelor's party include:
- Outdoor sports like camping
- Partying in exclusive clubs
- Themed parties
- Gaming
- Groom-specific interests
Give them prior notice about possible overhead costs. You wouldn’t want to be responsible for their choices made under the influence.
You might hire a photographer for key moments, so the groom and friends can recall the highlights later.
Lastly, a great event planner will also keep some elements of the bachelor party a surprise. Everyone loves an unexpected twist that makes the night memorable.
J. How do you plan pre-wedding events?
Let’s cover all the pre-wedding events briefly:
- Engagement party will be organized to announce the couple’s upcoming wedding to their friends and families.
- A bridal shower takes place where the bride receives gifts and wishes before the wedding.
- A couple's shower is the same but for both the bride and the groom.
- Both bride and groom enjoy a night/weekend of fun in their bachelor/ette parties. It is typically organized by their friends.
- In the Indian context, Mehndi/Sangeet ceremonies take place. Here, henna is applied to the bride’s hands, and everyone enjoys music and dance.
- A rehearsal dinner takes place in the Western context, where families and the couple enjoy a relaxed dinner before the big day.
As a wedding planner, you must also be dedicated to these pre-wedding events. They create excitement as days lead up to the big day.
K. What should be done for a wedding reception?
A wedding reception is sometimes even bigger than the wedding itself. It’s mainly a food event. So, it’s easier to accommodate more guests as compared to the wedding.
Even though it’s not the main wedding event, you still have to strive for a welcoming ambiance. In wedding receptions, everyone is invited. From acquaintances to the closest ones. Everyone must feel welcome.
You can do this by placing staff specifically tasked with welcoming guests. This goes without saying, but your staff must be extremely courteous. The seating arrangement must be comfortable and sufficient.
Then, we move on to creating a memorable experience. Food is something you can’t compromise on. Besides the menu, focus on having a smooth dining experience. Make sure everything is on time. Everyone should go home with happy and full tummies.
Moving on to non-food elements: plan good photo opportunities. People love taking pictures at weddings. Also, ensure the couple gets a grand entry and a special space to meet and greet guests.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can have a grand couple farewell moment too.
L. How do you entertain kids at an event?
Here’s another lingering question that only the best wedding planning guide addresses.
Weddings are events that adults best enjoy. However, those adults may also come with a tiny plus one.
To ensure that the adults have an enjoyable gala event, you need to keep the little ones busy.
You can engage kids at a wedding event with the following ideas:
- Set up an arts and crafts station with coloring books and crayons. Make sure there’s someone to monitor their activities.
- Have a dedicated room just for children with toys, puzzles, and bean bags (kids love bean bags!).
- Offer a kid’s menu and a separate dining area. Classic favorites like mac and cheese keep them happy.
- Hire babysitters or childcare professionals to ensure their safety.
- Book entertainers like puppeteers, magicians, and jokers to keep them occupied.
- Rent outdoor play equipment such as a trampoline and bouncy house if space allows.
- Provide a quiet room for naps or rests, especially for infants.
This way, parents can fully enjoy the wedding without worrying about bored kids.
M. How can I get a marriage license in India?
To be eligible for a marriage certificate, the groom needs to be above 21 years of age, and the bride, 18. In addition, they must also be mentally and physically in a state to give consent for marriage.
Keep the following documents handy when you go to the marriage registration office:
- Identity Proof (Aadhar Card, Passport, Voter ID, etc.) of both partners
- Address Proof (Aadhar Card, Passport, Utility Bill, etc.) of both partners
- Passport-sized photographs of both partners
- Marriage invitation card (if available)
- Date of Birth proof of both partners (birth certificate or school leaving certificate)
And remember, you can’t go to any random marriage registrar’s office. You will need to find one where either the groom or spouse has resided for at least six months.
When you reach there, you will need to fill out the application and provide the above-mentioned documents.
The bride and groom each need a witness when they’re registering the marriage.
The couple may also undergo an interview process to confirm their identity and consent.
You’ll then be asked to pay a fee. This can vary from state to state.
The process may take a few days or weeks. You may also need to visit the office more than once.
For international readers, find your local marriage license guidelines in your respective countries. Always stay aware of the legal requirements for marriage in your area.
N. Conclusion
Now, you know how to plan a wedding, and you also have plenty of tips on the same. But, we’d still like to say that no two events are the same, even if you host the same wedding every year.
New costs and challenges will come up each time, and you will have to make room for them in your wedding plan. You will also need to keep up with the trends so you’re not caught by surprise each season.
Visit Ticket Generator to handle all your wedding ticketing needs. It’s a one-stop solution designed to simplify online wedding ticketing and help you manage your tickets with ease.
If there's still something you'd like to explore further, consider reaching out directly to fellow planners or mentors. Stay connected through professional networks to keep learning and improving your skills.
Happy wedding planning to you!
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