1 Decide + budget 12+ months out

Lock the wedding date after checking auspicious-date almanacs (panchang) + key family availability + work calendars on both sides

Realistic guest count — Indian + NRI side, with a 30-40% NRI no-show buffer (visa, work, health). Lower numbers save lakhs

Set total budget in INR with 15-20% buffer. Average mid-tier metro wedding 2026: Rs 30-80 lakh; destination / palace: Rs 1-5 crore

Open a dedicated NRO or jointly-named NRE account for wedding expenses — easier paper trail for both families and FX deposits

NRE / NRO accounts →

Plan FX transfers in 3-5 tranches — locks multiple rates, avoids single-day rate risk on a Rs 30L+ transfer

Compare FX rates →

2 Venue + key vendors 8-12 months out

Lock venue — banquet, palace, beach resort, farmhouse. Premium venues book 9-12 months out. Visit at least 3 in person before signing

Sign photographer / cinematographer — Rs 1.5-8 lakh range. They book up faster than venues. Always reference past full albums, not curated portfolio

Decide between full-service planner (15-20% of budget, removes 80% of stress) and self-managed with on-day coordinator

Sign decorator — Rs 5-25 lakh depending on theme. Match decorator to venue's restrictions (some palaces don't allow drilling, some banquets have own preferred lists)

Sign caterer separately if venue allows — usually Rs 1,200-3,000 per plate. Tasting at least 2 menus before final commit

Sign make-up artist (MUA) + choreographer — Rs 25K-1.5L for MUA, Rs 50K-2L for sangeet choreographer. All vendor contracts in writing with detailed deliverables

3 NRI guest logistics 4-6 months out

Send save-the-dates 6 months out — NRI guests need lead time for visa, flights, work calendar

Block hotel rooms within 5 km of venue — many properties offer 20-30% group discounts on 30+ rooms

Pre-arrange airport transfers for international flights — most NRI guests fly into BLR/DEL/BOM and need a 4+ hour drive support

Mail physical invitations to NRI guests — needed for some country's visa applications + emotional weight is real

Set up a shared WhatsApp group for NRI guests — venue address, dress code per event, hotel link, emergency contact

4 Final 90 days heavy execution

Pay vendor advances per contract — typical staging: 50% on signing, 30% on day, 20% on delivery

Final menu tasting + decor walk-through with the planner / venue — confirm flow + transitions for each event

Apply for Marriage Notice 30 days before if registering under the Special Marriage Act — public 30-day objection window required

Plan FX transfers for the largest payments — split a Rs 30L into 3 transfers across providers, save Rs 60K-1.5L

5 Post-wedding paperwork first 60 days

Register the marriage formally — Special Marriage Act (inter-faith / inter-state / NRI), Hindu Marriage Act, Christian or Muslim acts as applicable

Get the marriage certificate in 3-6 weeks — mandatory for spouse visa, joint property, name changes, immigration paperwork

Update bank accounts, insurance beneficiaries, will on both sides to reflect spouse

For US persons — file Form 709 (US gift tax) if any single gift exceeded the annual exclusion ($18,000 in 2026)

Planning an Indian wedding from abroad? The 12-month playbook.

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