The Ultimate Indian Wedding Budget Checklist
Why a Static List Isn’t Enough
Indian weddings are famous for “hidden costs.” A simple Sangeet can quickly balloon into a major production, and last-minute vendor payments often get missed until it is too late.
The “I Forgot That” Checklist
Most couples budget for the Venue and the Gold. But it’s the “small” things—like 500 return gift bags or the generator diesel cost—that break the budget.
We have compiled the most comprehensive line-item checklist for an Indian Wedding. Use this to ensure you haven’t missed a single rupee.
🏛️ Category 1: Venue & Accommodation
The canvas for your big day.
- Venue Rental: Main Mandapam/Hall cost.
- Rooms (Guest Stay): Check-in/Check-out timings often require booking an extra day.
- Electricity & Generator: Most venues charge diesel costs separately.
- Cleaning Charges: Post-event waste disposal fees.
- Valet Parking: Drivers + Parking lot rental if external.
- Security: Bouncers or watchmen for traffic management.
- Permits: PPL License (for playing music) or liquor license.
🍽️ Category 2: Food & Beverages
The one thing guests will remember forever.
- Welcome Breakfast: For guests arriving early.
- Muhurtham Lunch: The traditional banana leaf feast (Sadhya/Elai Sappadu).
- Reception Dinner: Buffet spread costs.
- High Tea/Snacks: Coffee, Bajji/Bondas during the evening rituals.
- Water Bottles: 500ml bottles for the crowd + 20L cans for rooms.
- Driver/Vendor Meals: Count separate packets for photographers, drivers, and band.
- Thamboolam Bags: Coconut, Betel leaves, and the bag itself.
- Seer Bakshanam: Sweets/Savories exchanged between families.
🌺 Category 3: Decor & Production
Setting the scene.
- Mandap Decor: The main stage backdrop and floral work.
- Reception Stage: Sofa, LED screens, and cold pyros.
- Entrance Arch: The first impression (Welcome board + Name board).
- Pathway/Walkway: Carpets and side lighting.
- Signage: “Dining Hall This Way” boards.
- Sound & Light: DJ Gear, Mics for the priest, and focus lights.
- Photobooth: Props and backdrop for guest selfies.
📸 Category 4: Memories & Entertainment
- Traditional Photography: For the rituals.
- Candid Photography: For the emotions.
- Videography: Cinematic teaser + Traditional full video.
- Drone Shots: Aerial views (check venue permission).
- Live Stream: Zoom/YouTube link setup for overseas guests.
- DJ / Band: Performance fees.
- Nadaswaram / Dhol: Traditional music troupe.
👗 Category 5: Attire & Beauty (Bride & Groom)
- Wedding Silk/Lehenga: The main outfit.
- Reception Outfit: Suit/Sherwani/Gown.
- Pre-wedding Outfits: For Sangeet/Mehendi.
- Jewelry (Gold/Diamond): The heavy investment.
- Imitation Jewelry: For Sangeet or less formal events.
- Makeup Artist (MUA): Trial session + Main event charges.
- Hair & Saree Draping: Often charged separately for family members.
- Mehendi Artist: Bride’s Henna + Guest Mehendi packages.
🚛 Category 6: Logistics & “Hidden” Costs
The budget killers.
- Transport: Buses/Vans for guest pickup from Railway Station/Airport.
- Car Rental: Decorated car for the couple.
- Priest (Iyer/Pandit) Dakshina: Cash payments for the main priest + assistants.
- Puja Items: Flowers, fruits, ghee, wood (Samidha).
- Invitations: Printed cards + E-invites.
- Courier Charges: Sending physical cards to out-of-town guests.
- Tips (Bata): Cash tips for waiters, drivers, cleaning staff.
- Emergency Fund: Keep 10% of your total budget aside for last-minute runs.
🚀 Upgrade Your Checklist: Go Digital
A PDF checklist gets buried in your downloads folder. A VivahSphere Task List actively helps you plan.
Instead of printing this list, create these items directly in your VivahSphere Dashboard.
- Assign Owners: Tag your partner or parents to specific costs.
- Set Due Dates: Know exactly when the next vendor installment is due.
- Track Status: Move items from “To-Do” to “Paid” instantly.
🤖 Meet Your AI Wedding Planner
Don’t want to manually type out 50 tasks? Let our AI Assistant handle the data entry for you.
Simply chat with the VivahSphere AI to create or update your checklist instantly.
- “Create a checklist for a South Indian Sangeet” -> The AI generates a tailored task list with categories.
- “Remind me to pay the photographer ₹50k next Tuesday” -> The AI adds a task and sets a due date automatically.
- “What is my remaining budget for Decor?” -> The AI calculates and tells you instantly.
It’s like having a personal wedding planner in your pocket, available 24/7 to organize your chaos.
⚡ The Pro Advantage: Automated Email Reports
For busy couples, logging into a dashboard every day isn’t always possible. That is why VivahSphere Pro brings the updates to you.
With the Pro tier, you can schedule Automated Progress Reports to be delivered straight to your inbox (and your parents’ inboxes too!).
With Pro Reports, you can:
- Customize Frequency: Choose Daily, Weekly, or Monthly summaries based on how close you are to the big day.
- Track “Pending” Instantly: See a snapshot of how many tasks are overdue and how much budget is left without opening the app.
- Stay Accountable: Keep the whole family aligned on what needs to be done next.
Ready to automate your planning? Upgrade to Pro today and turn this static checklist into a dynamic, intelligent wedding planner.