The 12-Month Indian Wedding Checklist: What to Do, Month by Month

An Indian wedding has hundreds of moving parts. The secret is not doing everything at once, it is doing the right things at the right time. Use this month-by-month checklist as your roadmap. If your wedding is less than 12 months away, simply start from the month that matches and catch up on anything you missed.

12 to 10 months before

• Agree on your priorities, budget and rough guest count as a couple
• Discuss budget and contributions with both families
• Shortlist auspicious dates
• Visit and book the venue (popular venues go first)
• Start your guest list

9 to 7 months before

• Book the photographer and videographer
• Book the caterer (if not included with the venue)
• Finalise the decorator and discuss themes
• Book the makeup artist and mehendi artist for key dates
• Block hotel rooms for outstation guests

6 to 5 months before

• Start outfit shopping for the main functions and plan alteration time
• Plan the sangeet: performances, choreographer, music
• Finalise the pandit and ritual requirements
• Design invitations and send save-the-dates

4 to 3 months before

• Send invitations and start collecting RSVPs
• Buy jewellery and accessories
• Plan guest transport and pick-ups
• Book honeymoon travel
• Start your pre-wedding skincare and fitness routine

2 months before

• Confirm every vendor in writing: dates, times, payments due
• Final outfit fittings
• Order return gifts and welcome kits
• Apply for leave at work (both of you)

1 month before

• Chase pending RSVPs and send final numbers to the caterer
• Make a room allocation list for the hotel
• Create a day-by-day schedule for every function
• Pack a wedding emergency kit

The final week

• Share the schedule and contact list with one trusted family point person
• Pay balance amounts and keep cash envelopes ready
• Confirm pick-ups and room check-ins
• Rest. Hydrate. Delegate. Enjoy it.

Turn this checklist into a real plan

A checklist tells you what to do. A planner helps you actually do it. The Indian Wedding Planner Box follows this same month-by-month flow, with worksheets, checklists and timelines for every stage, from your first budget conversation to the final-week checklist. The undated 12-month wedding calendar lets you start from whichever month you are in, and 600+ stickers make it easy to mark deadlines, payments and fittings.

Managing RSVPs and rooms? Add the Ultimate Wedding Guestlist spreadsheet to keep guest numbers, meals and accommodation in one place.

Get the Indian Wedding Planner Box for Rs. 4,499 with free delivery across India.