Planning either a simple yet classy or a big fat Indian wedding can get very overwhelming in terms of responsibilities and occasions. While a few families and couples do go in for a wedding planner, a lot of them like to take things into their own hands.
It could be them doing it out of sheer love and curiosity, a budget constraint, or because they love all of the DIY possibilities—in any case, it's a lot of extra work, but it is not impossible to plan the wedding of your dreams on your own.
Wedding Priorities
Sit down with your family, partner, or your bride gang and determine what the three most important aspects of your wedding will be. Is it the food and drinks, the venue, or any specific wedding date?
Do you want to lock in a certain wedding photographer or live band? Got a theme in mind? Need to have these fun activities? Prioritize those details and be willing to compromise on the rest.
Wedding Cost
Your wedding budget will be the driving factor for many of your wedding-related decisions, so this should be one of the first things you tackle. If any family members will be contributing, chat with them about what they’re comfortable spending. If you’re footing the bill yourself, it’s time to take a hard look at your finances. Once you’ve got that magic number, stick to it! Make magic happen at a gorgeous venue.
The Theme
Locking a theme will help you streamline things in terms of decor, bridal wear, the menu, invitation cards & more. With so many sources of bridal inspiration out there it can be a bit overwhelming. Find a reliable source or ask your bride tribe to help you through. You can start with Pinterest, and Instagram, and start researching. Having a good sense of the type of wedding style you want helps immensely once you start meeting with potential vendors.
Take Meaningful Decisions
It may be exciting yet overwhelming to book the first photographer or florist you meet. But be extremely patient. Involve your significant other if need be. When it comes to booking wedding vendors, it's important to not rush into any decisions. Consider at least a few different options to make sure these important wedding day partners understand your vision and can also work within your budget.
Pick a Venue with an Available Kitchen Space
If you’re planning your own wedding, have an “on-site” wedding—(Off-site stands for a far-off destination without a kitchen nearby, eg: Beach, Open ground). Choosing a well-furnished venue will make the planning process that much simpler. They'll likely have a range of catering offerings available, as well as access to the basics, including designated space, chairs, and tables for your ceremony and/or reception.
The Guest List
Making decisions about the wedding guest list can be a really tedious process, especially if it largely depends on your venue and budget. Sit down with your significant other, family, friends, and other important members to make a key wishlist of wedding guests. Chances are, you’ll need to make some cuts.
These things will be the backbone of a traditional big fat Indian wedding amongst other things such as picking the right jewelry, the kind of music, the number of ceremonies you wish to have, etc. Having said all this, taking the help of a wedding planner will take a lot of stress off of your shoulders.
But planning your own wedding will be an extremely special process and one that you will cherish for a lifetime! Happy planning in advance!