You must have heard that ‘shaadi karana’ and ‘ghar banana’ are considered two of the most arduous tasks in our culture. Do you know why? Because you have to take care of so many aspects at once.
At Celebration Spaces, we help you with perfect Indian wedding planning by bringing you the best venues and the best wedding vendors in India on one platform. You can check the vendor checklist for your location, take a look at their work, read the reviews, and book wedding vendors that best fit your criteria.
Book Wedding Vendors In India As Early As Possible
When you book wedding vendors, it has to be done in the right order. It is so because their work is interdependent (the work of one depends on the other). But before we get into that, let’s discuss why it is wise to book wedding vendors in India as early as possible:
- Top bridal services and famous photographers, makeup artists, and caterers are often booked months in advance. The wedding season (from April to May, and again, from November to February) is the busiest. Booking vendors early increases your chances of getting hold of your favourites considerably.
- Seasoned wedding planners share that there’s a specific order in which we should book wedding vendors. In the vendor checklist, the wedding venue comes first, as your venue decides the scale of your event, and what kind of decor, catering, and logistics you can arrange. So, the first step is to book the wedding venue and then plan accordingly.
- Booking in time allows you to optimise your budget better. When you have plenty of time in hand, it’s easier to decide how much you want to spend on which aspect of your wedding - and to find more affordable alternatives if required. Last-minute bookings often cost more. When you book early, you might also get early bird deals, discounts and freebies.
How To Choose The Essential Wedding Vendors?
Let’s see how to pick some of the most essential wedding vendors:
1. Wedding Venue
You need to decide on the wedding venue to be able to finalise your date, number of guests, decor style, and menu choices. Some of the popular wedding venues in India include:
- Banquet Halls (popular for urban weddings)
- Marriage Gardens (popular for large guest lists)
- 5-Star Hotels (popular for luxury and destination weddings)
- Lawns & Farmhouses (popular for open-air themes)
- Destination Venues (popular destinations include Udaipur, Goa, Jaipur, Mussoorie, etc.)
Some of the questions you should ask the wedding venue provider before booking it are:
- What’s included in the package (lighting, decor, catering)?
- Are outside vendors allowed?
- What is the guest capacity?
- What’s the cancellation/rescheduling policy?
2. Photo & Video Pros
Weddings require more than smartphones to be captured in all their glory. Skilled wedding photographers and videographers know when and where to be present to capture the best memories and highlights of your events.
You should check out different types of wedding photographs to know what you prefer. Some of the popular wedding photography styles in India are:
- Candid Photography
- Traditional Photography
- Cinematic Wedding Films
- Drone Shoots
- Pre-Wedding Shoots
Before you finalise your wedding photographer and videographer, browse through their portfolio and social media to get an idea of what you can expect from them. Also, if you are having a destination wedding, be sure to ask them if they are willing to travel with you to the destination.
Don’t hesitate to ask exactly what their deliverable would be (such as albums, raw files, teaser video, etc.).
3. Bridal Makeup Artists
Bridal look is one of the most anticipated aspects of the wedding. A professional bridal makeup artist offers all the services you might need to make you look and feel your best, such as:
- Skin prep packages (pre-bridal)
- Makeup for bridesmaids & family
- HD or Airbrush Makeup
- Hairstyling
- Draping
Before booking a makeup artist (MUA), do request a trial. Lookbooks may also work for the big names in the industry. Also, do enquire about the quality of products they use, hygiene practices they follow, and if they are willing to travel to your venue or destination.
4. Mehendi Artists
Mehendi Artists often specialise in a wide range of henna designs. Check which designs you would like (such as traditional Rajasthani designs or modern minimalist styles). You can also choose from Arabic, Moroccan, Portrait, or Indo-Western henna designs!
Make it clear if you want Bridal Mehendi services (mehendi from arms to elbows and legs to knees for the bride) or Family Mehendi services too for everyone.
You may ask for samples and check the stain quality of mehendi they will be using. If you are opting for family mehendi services, make sure the artists brings team members to cover all the guests in time. You might want to choose organic or herbal Mehendi options.
5. Catering Services
Good caterers not only offer you delicious food but also efficient service and beautiful presentation. Some of the catering models popular in Indian weddings are:
- Buffet or Plated Service
- Live Counters (chaat, pasta, grills, etc.)
- Regional Specialities (Rajasthani, Punjabi, South Indian, Bengali)
- Desserts & Beverage Bars
Before booking a caterer, request a tasting session of all the items in your menu. Also, check the ratio of wait staff and servers they have, if they can accommodate specific dietary preferences, and if they have relevant hygiene and license certifications or not.
6. Venue Decorators & Floral Artists
Who turns a plain venue into a magical setting for a wedding? The decorators and florists! Seasoned artists can come up with some of the most magical decor for your big events. The services they offer include:
- Mandap & Stage Setup
- Floral Arrangements (fresh or artificial)
- Aisle & Entry Decor
- Centrepieces & Mood Lighting
- Decor according to Customised Themes (Rustic, Royal, Boho, Minimalist, etc.)
You might want to discuss whether you want them to use real flowers or artificial flowers, what their timelines will be for setup and tearing down the decorations, and if you want them to use eco-friendly options only.
7. Wedding Planners (Optional but Useful)
Wedding planners are not essential, but they can make everything simple. Some of the common services wedding planners offer include:
- End-to-end planning
- Vendor sourcing & negotiation
- Timeline & logistics management
- Budget tracking
- On-site coordination
8. Outfits & Bridal Wear Designers
Bride and groom’s attire and wardrobe for the family play a big role in weddings, especially themed weddings. If you are looking to buy or order:
- Bridal Lehenga
- Wedding Sarees
- Reception Gown
- Groom’s Sherwani/Suits
- Haldi/Mehendi Outfits
you may want to know where the designer is sourcing their fabric from, when they will offer custom fittings, and how much time you will get to select the matching accessories. While you can buy outfits off the rack immediately, you must have 1-2 months for custom-tailored pieces and 3-6 months if you are ordering designer wear.
9. Invitations: Digital & Printed Cards
Wedding invitations can be of many types, including:
- Digital E-vites & Videos
- Eco-friendly Seed Paper Cards
- Royal Scrolls & Boxed Invites
- QR-code-enabled RSVP cards
Before you order a printed or digital wedding invitation card, you must have the final guest list in hand. Explore digital-first and bulk discounts thoroughly and ask about by when you will receive the deliverables.
Use Our Vendor Checklist Efficiently
At Celebration Spaces, we are offering you 250,000+ verified wedding vendors in India. You can check their price, portfolio, reviews, and availability, and get instant quotes from them. You can add the shortlisted wedding vendors in a shared Google Sheet with your partner or planner.
With the right wedding venue and the best vendors to support, Celebration Spaces is all read to make your big day beautiful, stress-free, and uniquely you. Contact us today!
