Planning a Big Fat Indian Wedding? Don’t let the costs surprise you. Our free Indian Wedding Budget Planner & Calculator helps you estimate and track expenses for venues, gold jewelry, catering, and Shagun in real-time. Designed for Indian families, this tool ensures you stick to your budget while creating the dream celebration you deserve. Start calculating your Shaadi costs today!
💍 Wedding Budget Planner
Plan your dream Shaadi without breaking the bank.
Wedding Budget Planner: Calculate Your Dream Shaadi Costs
Planning a wedding in India is not just an event; it is a festival. From the vibrant Haldi and Mehndi ceremonies to the grand Reception, the celebration is filled with joy, tradition, and unfortunately, a lot of expenses.
Whether you are planning an intimate gathering of 50 people or a Big Fat Indian Wedding with 500+ guests, keeping track of your finances is the single most important step to a stress-free celebration.
Our free Wedding Budget Planner helps you estimate, track, and manage your expenses in real-time. Use the calculator above to get a clear picture of where your money is going, or read on to understand how to allocate your funds effectively.
Why You Need a Dedicated Wedding Calculator
A standard Excel sheet often isn’t enough for an Indian wedding because of the unique categories involved. Unlike Western weddings, we have specific costs for:
- Gold & Jewelry (Stree Dhan): Often a significant investment.
- Multiple Days of Food: Catering for Sangeet, Wedding, and Reception often involves different vendors.
- Rituals (Shagun): Cash gifts, Milni, and priest fees.
This tool is designed specifically for the Indian market, allowing you to input costs in Rupees (₹) and visualizes your spending against standard industry benchmarks.
Start planning your dream Shaadi today with our free Indian Wedding Budget Planner Pro. Calculate accurate expenses for venues, jewelry, and catering to stay perfectly within your budget.
The Ideal Indian Wedding Budget Breakdown
If you are wondering “How much should I spend on the venue?”, here is the industry standard breakdown for a balanced Indian wedding:
1. Venue & Catering (40-45%)
This is your biggest expense. It includes the rental cost of the Banquet Hall, Farmhouse, or Hotel, plus the “Per Plate” cost for food. Tip: Most Indian venues offer a package deal where the rental fee is waived if you guarantee a minimum number of plates.
2. Jewelry & Gold (15-20%)
In India, jewelry is seen as both an accessory and an asset. This category includes the bridal set, engagement rings, and gifts for the in-laws. Tip: Treat this as an investment rather than just an expense.
3. Apparel, Makeup & Grooming (10-15%)
This includes the Bridal Lehenga, Groom’s Sherwani, and outfits for pre-wedding functions. Don’t forget to budget for a professional Makeup Artist (MUA) and Mehendi artist.
4. Photography & Cinematography (10-12%)
Your photos are the only memories that last forever. This budget covers Pre-wedding shoots, candid photography, traditional videography, and drone shots.
5. Miscellaneous & Logistics (10-15%)
The “hidden” costs:
- Logistics: Transporting guests (buses/cars) and hotel stays.
- Entertainment: DJ, Dhol, Live Band, or Fireworks.
- Invites: Printing physical cards and sweet boxes.
- Shagun: Cash gifts during rituals.
5 Smart Ways to Save on Your Indian Wedding
Using our Wedding Budget Calculator, you might find you are over budget. Here are 5 practical ways to cut costs without looking “cheap”:
- Cut the Guest List: The “Per Plate” cost is the biggest multiplier. Reducing the guest list by 50 people can save you ₹50,000 to ₹1 Lakh instantly.
- Go Digital with Invites: Physical cards often end up in the bin. Switch to animated WhatsApp invites or a wedding website.
- Rent, Don’t Buy: Heavily embroidered Lehengas and Sherwanis are often worn only once. Consider renting designer wear for a fraction of the cost.
- Off-Season Discounts: Venues are 30-40% cheaper during non-Saya dates (dates without auspicious muhurats) or during the monsoon season.
- Combine Functions: Merge the Mehndi and Sangeet into one fun evening to save on venue rental and catering for a separate day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the average cost of a wedding in India?
A: An average middle-class wedding in metro cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore) typically costs between ₹15 Lakhs to ₹30 Lakhs. However, budget weddings can be done under ₹10 Lakhs, and luxury weddings can go upwards of ₹1 Crore.
Q: Is hiring a Wedding Planner worth the cost?
A: A planner typically charges 10-15% of your total wedding budget. For budgets above ₹25 Lakhs, they often save you money by negotiating better rates with vendors and handling logistics, making them worth the investment. For smaller budgets, a “Day-of Coordinator” might be a better option.
Q: Does this calculator save my data?
A: Yes! Our tool uses your browser’s local storage to auto-save your inputs. You can close the page and come back later to continue planning.
Q: How do I handle “Hidden Costs”?
A: Always keep a 10% contingency fund. If your total budget is ₹20 Lakhs, plan your expenses for ₹18 Lakhs and keep ₹2 Lakhs aside for last-minute emergencies.
Q: Is a Destination Wedding cheaper than a Residential Wedding?
A: It can be. While you pay for travel and accommodation, the guest list for destination weddings is usually much smaller (100-150 pax vs. 500+ pax). If you manage the guest list strictly, a destination wedding in places like Jim Corbett or Pushkar can cost the same or less than a grand banquet wedding in Delhi or Mumbai.
Q: Can I get a loan for my wedding in India?
A: Yes, many Indian banks offer specific “Marriage Loans” or Personal Loans for weddings with interest rates ranging from 10% to 15%. However, financial advisors recommend avoiding debt for a one-day celebration; try to plan within your savings whenever possible.
Ready to plan? Scroll up to the Wedding Budget Planner and start entering your estimated costs to see your personalized breakdown.
