Hindu Wedding Checklist and Planning Timeline

A Hindu wedding needs more than a venue and a guest list. You also need to coordinate the puja, wedding ritual, priest, mandap, ceremonial clothing, catering, music and family transport. Start with the date and venue, then secure suppliers and confirm the ceremony structure before sending invitations. In the final weeks, check the rings, jewelry, puja supplies, menu, guest count and ceremonial gifts so cultural details are not left until the last day.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Set wedding date
2 people
Reserve venue
2 people
Plan the puja and wedding ritual
3 people
Confirm priest
2 people
Book caterer
2 people
Reserve photographer
2 people
Arrange the music and DJ
2 people
Compile guest list
2 people
Design invitations
2 people
Send invitations
3 people
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
2 people
Arrange transportation for family
2 people
Arrange the table layout
2 people
Set the ceremonial order
3 people
Compile music list
2 people
Reserve mandap and decor
2 people
Collect ceremonial clothing
2 people
Check rings and jewelry
2 people
Check the puja supplies
2 people
Confirm the menu
3 people
Confirm number of guests
2 people
Collect speeches
2 people
Wrap ceremonial gifts
2 people
Do the shopping
4 people
Collect the flowers and decorations
3 people
Check the venue
3 people
Set out puja items
3 people
Wash and cut vegetables
5 people
Portion desserts
4 people
Chill drinks
3 people
Set up the mandap
6 people
Set up tables
4 people
Set up chairs
4 people
Set up ceremonial seating
3 people
Test lighting and power
2 people
Test sound equipment
2 people
Apply floral decorations
4 people
Set up the welcome desk
2 people
Set up buffet
5 people
Set out tableware and cutlery
3 people
Set up the puja altar
3 people
Lay out the bridal bouquet and malas
2 people
Prepare changing rooms
2 people
Set up the cloakroom
2 people
Prepare the registration list
2 people
Welcome suppliers
2 people

Event

Welcome guests
4 people
Serve welcome drinks
4 people
Guide the baraat
6 people
Guide guests to the ceremony
3 people
Guide the wedding ceremony
4 people
Guide the mala exchange
3 people
Safely manage the Havan fire
2 people
Hand over ceremony materials
2 people
Take photos during the ceremony
2 people
Take family photos
3 people
Serve aperitifs
5 people
Open the buffet
3 people
Serve the meal
6 people
Refill drinks
3 people
Refill buffet
4 people
Cut the cake
3 people
Guide speeches
2 people
Coordinate music and dancing
3 people
Guide guests to the exit
2 people

Aftercare

Pack leftovers safely
4 people
Collect waste
4 people
Collect tableware
4 people
Take down tables and chairs
5 people
Dismantle the mandap
6 people
Remove decorations
4 people
Wash dishes
4 people
Clean the kitchen
3 people
Clean the room
4 people
Clean the restrooms
2 people
Collect lost items
2 people
Return rental items
3 people
Return equipment
2 people
Distribute leftover food
3 people
Store gifts safely
2 people
Hand over the venue
2 people

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Round tablesqty 15
Rectangular tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 140
Mandap
Ceremonial chairsqty 2
Puja tableqty 2
Buffet tablesqty 8
Welcome table
Coat racksqty 3
Waste binsqty 8

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 150
Dessert platesqty 150
Soup bowlsqty 130
Coffee cupsqty 130
Water glassesqty 160
Wine glassesqty 140
Coffee spoonsqty 140
Dinner knivesqty 160
Dinner forksqty 160
Serving spoonsqty 30
Serving plattersqty 35
Serving trays with lidsqty 20
Cake knife
Serving tongsqty 12

Decorations

Flower garlandsqty 24
Table runnersqty 21
Table decorationsqty 15
Rangoli templatesqty 3
Rangoli powderqty 8
Stage carpetqty 2
Backdrop clothqty 2
Tealight holdersqty 40
Welcome sign
Table numbersqty 15
Chair coversqty 140
Ribbonsqty 12
Gift bagsqty 130
Flower vasesqty 20
Offering traysqty 20
Copper bowlsqty 12
Puja bellsqty 2
Aarti lampsqty 4
Kalash potsqty 6
Ritual clothsqty 8
Decorative parasolsqty 2
Artificial flowersqty 10

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 3
Speakersqty 4
Mixer
Music laptop
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Coolersqty 6
Food warmersqty 16
Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Light Stripsqty 8
Fire extinguisherqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 8
Chef's knivesqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 10
Measuring cupsqty 4
Kitchen tongsqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 6
Cling filmqty 6
Food containersqty 20
Bottle openersqty 4
Ice spoonsqty 4
Teapotsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
Thermos flasksqty 8
Drink dispensersqty 6
Serving jugsqty 12
Cooling racksqty 6
Cake stand
Water jugsqty 20
Bread basketsqty 12

Lighting

LED lampsqty 20
LED candlesqty 40
Batteriesqty 40
Outdoor lightsqty 8

Cleaning

Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Microfiber clothsqty 24
All-purpose cleanerqty 4
Toilet cleanerqty 3
Glass cleanerqty 3
Paper towelsqty 12
Cleaning brushesqty 6

Tips

Set the date, venue, puja and wedding ritual first. Confirm the priest and ceremonial order before booking other parts of the day, because the ceremony schedule affects transport, catering and music.
Send invitations only after the guest list, venue capacity and registration process are settled. Collect dietary requirements with the RSVPs and make one final guest-count check before confirming the menu.
Reserve the mandap, ceremonial chairs, puja table and stage carpet early enough for delivery and setup. Also confirm who will place the flower garlands, rangoli templates and rangoli powder before guests arrive.
Plan family transportation around the ceremony start time, not just the reception. Write down pickup times, passenger groups and a backup contact at least 7 days before the wedding.
Do a final clothing, jewelry and puja-supplies check during the week before the wedding. Wrap ceremonial gifts, finish shopping and verify the music list, speeches, table layout and serving equipment before setup day.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I start planning a Hindu wedding?: Start at least 9 to 12 months before the wedding if possible. Set the date, reserve the venue and confirm the priest first, then book catering, photography, music and decor.
When should Hindu wedding invitations be sent?: Send invitations around 8 to 12 weeks before the wedding, after the venue, ceremony timing and registration details are confirmed. Set the RSVP deadline 3 to 4 weeks before the event so dietary requirements and transport can be arranged.
How do I organize the puja supplies for a Hindu wedding?: Confirm the required items with the priest 4 to 6 weeks beforehand, because requirements vary by ceremony and tradition. Recheck everything 7 days before the wedding and keep the supplies together for the person responsible for the puja table.
When should I confirm the final guest count and menu?: Set a preliminary guest count when invitations go out and confirm the final number 10 to 14 days before the wedding. Use that figure to confirm the menu, table layout, plates, glasses and serving equipment with the caterer.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

Organize for free and invite your contacts!