How to organise a Hindu wedding

Organising a Hindu wedding starts with the date, venue and ceremony, not with the invitations. Secure the priest, mandap, caterer and key suppliers before you finalise guest numbers and timings. Then build the day around the puja, wedding ritual and ceremonial order, while allowing time for family transport, speeches and meal service. Use a final checklist to confirm clothing, jewellery, rings, puja supplies and ceremonial gifts before the wedding week.

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The plan, step by step

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

Preparations

1
Set wedding date
2 people
2
Reserve venue
2 people
3
Plan the puja and wedding ritual
3 people
4
Confirm priest
2 people
5
Book caterer
2 people
6
Reserve photographer
2 people
7
Arrange the music and DJ
2 people
8
Compile guest list
2 people
9
Design invitations
2 people
10
Send invitations
3 people
11
Process registrations
2 people
12
Collect dietary requirements
2 people
13
Arrange transportation for family
2 people
14
Arrange the table layout
2 people
15
Set the ceremonial order
3 people
16
Compile music list
2 people
17
Reserve mandap and decor
2 people
18
Collect ceremonial clothing
2 people
19
Check rings and jewelry
2 people
20
Check the puja supplies
2 people
21
Confirm the menu
3 people
22
Confirm number of guests
2 people
23
Collect speeches
2 people
24
Wrap ceremonial gifts
2 people
25
Do the shopping
4 people
26
Collect the flowers and decorations
3 people
27
Check the venue
3 people
28
Set out puja items
3 people
29
Wash and cut vegetables
5 people
30
Portion desserts
4 people
31
Chill drinks
3 people
32
Set up the mandap
6 people
33
Set up tables
4 people
34
Set up chairs
4 people
35
Set up ceremonial seating
3 people
36
Test lighting and power
2 people
37
Test sound equipment
2 people
38
Apply floral decorations
4 people
39
Set up the welcome desk
2 people
40
Set up buffet
5 people
41
Set out tableware and cutlery
3 people
42
Set up the puja altar
3 people
43
Lay out the bridal bouquet and malas
2 people
44
Prepare changing rooms
2 people
45
Set up the cloakroom
2 people
46
Prepare the registration list
2 people
47
Welcome suppliers
2 people

Event

48
Welcome guests
4 people
49
Serve welcome drinks
4 people
50
Guide the baraat
6 people
51
Guide guests to the ceremony
3 people
52
Guide the wedding ceremony
4 people
53
Guide the mala exchange
3 people
54
Safely manage the Havan fire
2 people
55
Hand over ceremony materials
2 people
56
Take photos during the ceremony
2 people
57
Take family photos
3 people
58
Serve aperitifs
5 people
59
Open the buffet
3 people
60
Serve the meal
6 people
61
Refill drinks
3 people
62
Refill buffet
4 people
63
Cut the cake
3 people
64
Guide speeches
2 people
65
Coordinate music and dancing
3 people
66
Guide guests to the exit
2 people

Aftercare

67
Pack leftovers safely
4 people
68
Collect waste
4 people
69
Collect tableware
4 people
70
Take down tables and chairs
5 people
71
Dismantle the mandap
6 people
72
Remove decorations
4 people
73
Wash dishes
4 people
74
Clean the kitchen
3 people
75
Clean the room
4 people
76
Clean the restrooms
2 people
77
Collect lost items
2 people
78
Return rental items
3 people
79
Return equipment
2 people
80
Distribute leftover food
3 people
81
Store gifts safely
2 people
82
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 only after checking the priest’s availability and the chosen venue. The ritual schedule can determine the ceremony start time, so confirm both before sending invitations.
Reserve the mandap, decor and ceremony furniture early enough to match the venue layout. Check that the space also fits the puja table, ceremonial chairs, stage carpet and any rangoli design.
Send invitations after the guest list, ceremony timing and venue details are stable. Ask for dietary requirements with the RSVP and confirm the final guest count with the caterer before the event.
Create one running order for the puja, wedding ritual, speeches, meal and music. Share it with the priest, photographer, DJ, caterer and family transport coordinator at least one week before the wedding.
Do a physical check of ceremonial clothing, rings, jewellery, garlands and puja supplies several days before the ceremony. Wrap ceremonial gifts and complete shopping before the final two days, when last-minute errands are harder to manage.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should you start planning a Hindu wedding?: Start at least 9 to 12 months before the wedding if possible. Use the first 4 to 6 weeks to set the date, reserve the venue, confirm the priest and book the caterer and photographer.
When should Hindu wedding invitations be sent?: Send invitations around 8 to 12 weeks before the wedding, once the venue, ceremony time and main events are confirmed. Set the RSVP deadline 3 to 4 weeks before the date so catering and seating can be finalised.
How do you plan the order of a Hindu wedding ceremony?: Ask the priest to provide the ritual sequence and expected duration at least 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. Add entrances, music, photography, speeches and the meal around that sequence rather than guessing the ceremony length.
When should you confirm the final guest count and menu?: Confirm the guest count and menu with the caterer 2 to 3 weeks before the wedding. Review dietary requirements at the same time and check that the buffet tables, serving platters and tableware match the final number of guests.

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.