Wedding functions
The celebrations around the wedding
An Indian wedding is usually a weekend, not a day. Here is what each function is, and how we plan it.
Updated Kalyan Co Planning Team
Most Indian weddings have three to five functions over two or three days: an engagement, a mehndi or haldi afternoon, a sangeet night of music and dance, the wedding ceremony and a reception. Couples from abroad often keep two or three and add a welcome dinner for guests who have flown in.
Illustrative photo: AmanAgrahari01 · CC BY-SA 4.0 Nischayam · Sagai · Manasammatham
Engagement
The families meet, rings are exchanged and the date is set.
30–300 guests · ₹3–25 lakh
Illustrative photo: Iratze by izz · CC BY-SA 4.0 Mehndi, haldi · Mylanchi
Mehndi and haldi
Henna on the bride’s hands and turmeric blessings: the most photographed afternoon of the week.
30–200 guests · ₹2–15 lakh
Illustrative photo: Mamichaelraj · CC BY-SA 4.0 Sangeet
Sangeet
The night before the wedding: music, choreographed dances and both families on the floor.
50–400 guests · ₹5–40 lakh
Illustrative photo: കാക്കര · CC BY-SA 3.0 Reception
Reception
The big party after the ceremony, often for a larger guest list.
50–1,500 guests · ₹5–60 lakh
Illustrative photo: Aditya Shree · CC BY-SA 4.0 Vow renewal
Say it all again, somewhere beautiful.
2–100 guests · ₹1–15 lakh
Tell us about your wedding
Where you live, roughly when, and how many guests. A planner replies within a few hours, in your time zone.