Planning a Delhi wedding comes down to five decisions made in the right order: the date, the guest count, the budget, the venue, and then everyone else. Get the first four settled 8–12 months ahead and the rest of the planning becomes much easier. This guide walks through each step, with links to our detailed price guides for every vendor.
Updated October 2026. Prices and seasonal advice reflect the November 2026 to February 2027 wedding season.
Step 1: Pick your date (and know what the season means)
Delhi’s main wedding season runs from November to February, with a smaller window in April and May. The most auspicious muhurat dates fill venues a year in advance and cost 15–25% more. If your family is flexible, a date one or two days either side of a peak muhurat can save a meaningful amount.
Two things about Delhi winters catch out-of-town families off guard. Air quality is often poor from November to January, so outdoor farmhouse functions need an indoor or covered backup. And dense fog in December and January can delay flights into IGI Airport by hours, so ask overseas guests to land a day early. Our auspicious wedding dates for 2026 list every muhurat by month.
Step 2: Fix the guest count before anything else
Every quote you collect depends on it. Catering is charged per plate, venues are sized by capacity, and decor scales with the space. Families who start with “around 300” and end at 450 usually blow their budget on food alone. Write two lists, the must-invite list and the would-like list, and get both families to agree on the first one before calling any vendor.
Step 3: Set a realistic budget
For 300 guests across a sangeet and the wedding, expect roughly ₹12–19 lakh at a budget banquet, ₹25–43 lakh for a mid-range wedding, and ₹60 lakh to ₹1.1 crore at a 5-star hotel or premium farmhouse, before jewellery. Catering is usually the biggest single line, followed by the venue and decor. The full line-by-line breakdown is in our Delhi wedding budget 2026 guide.
Step 4: Book the venue
The venue decides your date, your capacity and often your caterer, so it comes first among vendors. Banquet halls in West and Outer Delhi are the most affordable; South Delhi, Gurugram and Aerocity cost more; 5-star ballrooms and Chhatarpur farmhouses sit at the top. Visit in the evening if your function is at night: parking, lighting and how sound carries all look different after dark. See our shortlist of the best wedding venues in Delhi for NRI weddings.
Step 5: Lock in catering
Ask for a tasting before you sign, and taste the dishes you will actually serve rather than the caterer’s showcase menu. Confirm the minimum guaranteed plate count in writing, because you pay for it even if fewer guests arrive. Per-plate prices by tier are in our wedding catering price guide.
Step 6: Decor, photography and the rest of the team
| Vendor | Book this far ahead | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|
| Decorator | 6–9 months | Wedding decorators in Delhi |
| Photographer and videographer | 6–9 months | Photography packages and prices |
| Bridal makeup artist | 4–6 months | Bridal makeup artists |
| Mehndi artist | 3–4 months | Bridal mehndi artists |
| Pre-wedding shoot | 2–3 months | 35+ pre-wedding shoot locations |
| DJ, band and ghodi | 2–3 months | Covered in the budget guide |
Top photographers and makeup artists in Delhi take only a set number of bookings per day, so if you have a favourite, confirm them as soon as the venue is fixed.
A 12-month planning timeline
- 12 months out: agree the date window, guest list and total budget between both families.
- 10–12 months: visit venues, book one, and taste and confirm the caterer.
- 6–9 months: book the decorator, photographer and videographer; start outfit shopping.
- 4–6 months: book bridal makeup and mehndi; plan the pre-wedding shoot; block hotel rooms for outstation guests.
- 2–3 months: send invitations; book DJ, band and baraat; finalise menus and decor designs.
- 1 month: final guest count to the caterer and venue; confirm every vendor’s arrival time in writing.
- Wedding week: hand one trusted person the vendor contact list and the payment envelope so the couple and parents are not answering phones all day.
Planning from abroad
NRI families who plan smoothly tend to do three things. They appoint one local person, a relative or a paid coordinator, to visit vendors in person. They ask for video walk-throughs of venues and video tastings. And they tie payments to milestones in a written contract rather than paying most of it upfront. Keep a currency buffer of about 15% if you are paying from dollar, pound or dirham savings, since all quotes are fixed in rupees.
Frequently asked questions
When is the wedding season in Delhi?
November to February is the main season, with a second, smaller season in April and May. Venues and vendors charge the most on peak muhurat dates within those months.
How early should I start planning a Delhi wedding?
Ten to twelve months ahead for a November to February wedding, mainly to secure the venue and caterer. Off-season weddings can be planned in four to six months.
What should I book first for a Delhi wedding?
The venue, because it fixes your date and capacity and often decides your caterer. Book the caterer straight after, then decor and photography.
How much does a Delhi wedding cost for 300 guests?
Roughly ₹12–19 lakh at a budget banquet, ₹25–43 lakh for a mid-range wedding and ₹60 lakh to ₹1.1 crore at a premium venue, for two functions and excluding jewellery.
Is winter pollution a problem for Delhi weddings?
It can be for outdoor events between November and January. Many families now choose covered or indoor venues, or keep an indoor backup and air purifiers for elderly guests.
Written by Pankaj, Founder & Editor, Just Delhi
Pankaj writes about Delhi neighbourhoods, food, travel, weddings, the Delhi Metro and everyday city life, and keeps these guides updated with current prices, timings and local tips. About Just Delhi