The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Costs in India: A Detailed Breakdown of Expenses
Planning a wedding in India involves a multitude of expenses that can vary widely based on several factors such as regional traditions, family financial status, the number of guests, and personal preferences. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the typical costs associated with a wedding in India from both the bride’s and groom’s perspectives.
Bride’s Family Expenses
1. Jewellery: 5-15 Lakh INR
Jewellery is a significant part of Indian weddings, especially for the bride. This expense includes gold and diamond jewelry which is traditionally given to the bride and is often considered an essential part of the dowry.
2. Wedding Hall/Venue: 2-5 Lakh INR
The cost for renting a venue for the wedding ceremony can vary based on the location and amenities provided. A lavish venue in a metropolitan area will cost significantly more than a simpler venue in a smaller town.
3. Catering/Food: 8-15 Lakh INR
Food is a major expense, as Indian weddings typically include multiple meals over several days, featuring an array of traditional dishes. The catering cost depends on the number of guests and the menu selected.
4. Sarees and Clothing: 1-3 Lakh INR
This includes the bridal saree and additional sarees and outfits for various pre-wedding and post-wedding functions. The bride typically wears different outfits for different ceremonies.
5. Makeup and Beauty Services: 1-2 Lakh INR
Booking professional makeup artists, hairstylists, and other beauty services are employed to ensure the bride looks her best on her special day. This also includes pre-wedding beauty treatments.
6. Decoration: 2-6 Lakh INR
Decorations include floral arrangements, lighting, and thematic decor for the wedding venue. The cost varies depending on the complexity and scale of the decorations.
7. Photography and Videography: 2-5 Lakh INR
Capturing the wedding through professional photography and videography is crucial for most families. This expense ensures high-quality documentation of the event.
8. Invitation Cards: 50,000 – 1 Lakh INR
Designing, printing, and distributing wedding invitations is an important part of the wedding preparations. The cost varies based on the design complexity and the number of invitations.
9. Priest and Ritual Expenses: 50,000 – 1 Lakh INR
Fees for the priest conducting the wedding and other ritual-related expenses are necessary for performing traditional wedding ceremonies.
10. Transport: 50,000 – 1 Lakh INR
This includes transportation for the bride’s family and guests, such as hiring cars or buses.
11. Miscellaneous Expenses: 1-2 Lakh INR
This category covers additional costs such as mehendi (henna) artists, music and entertainment, and other small but necessary expenses.
Total for Bride’s Family: 23-46 Lakh INR
🎩 1. Groom’s Clothing & Gifts
Estimated Cost: ₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000
This includes the groom’s main wedding attire, often a sherwani, turban, and shoes (mojari or jutti). You might also need additional outfits for pre-wedding events like the engagement, Haldi, and Sangeet.
Additionally, many families provide return gifts or clothing items (like shawls, sarees, or kurtas) to close relatives and friends.
🍽️ 2. Reception Ceremony
Estimated Cost: ₹6,00,000 – ₹10,00,000
Typically hosted by the groom’s family post-wedding, the reception is a lavish affair. This cost includes:
- Venue rental
- Catering (multi-cuisine buffets are common)
- Decorations (flowers, stage design, seating)
- Entertainment (singers, anchors, dancers)
The budget can shoot up if the event is held in a five-star banquet or includes celebrity performers.
🏨 3. Guest Accommodation + Food
Estimated Cost: ₹2,80,000 – ₹9,00,000
If the groom’s family hosts out-of-town guests, they are responsible for both lodging and meals.
- Accommodation: ₹2L–₹5L, depending on whether guests stay at hotels, guesthouses if you make their arrangement in relatives’ homes this may not cost you.
- Food: ₹80K–₹4L depending on number of meals, guests, hiring cook and whether meals are in-hotel or catered separately.
Pro Tip: Negotiate packages with hotels for bulk bookings to reduce costs.
✉️ 4. Invitation Cards
Estimated Cost: ₹25,000 – ₹50,000
Printed invites still hold sentimental value in Indian weddings. Expenses include design, printing (embossing, gold foiling), and couriering invites. Some families also send customized gift boxes or sweets with the invitations.
🚗 5. Transport for Guests & Family
Estimated Cost: ₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000
This includes arranging travel for relatives, airport/train pickups, and transport for the baraat.
Common inclusions:
- Luxury cars for family
- Buses for guests
- Fuel and driver charges
📸 6. Photography & Videography
Estimated Cost: ₹55,000 – ₹2,00,000+
Memories last forever, and so do good pictures.
Costs vary based on:
- Number of events covered
- Style: Candid, cinematic, traditional
- Drone shots, reels, pre-wedding shoot
High-end photographers may charge ₹3L or more for full coverage and cinematic editing.
🥁 7. Band, Baja, Ghori & Baraat Setup
Estimated Cost: ₹55,000 – ₹1,50,000+
No Indian wedding is complete without the energy of the baraat! This cost covers:
- Band and dhol players
- Ghori (white horse) or vintage car for the groom
- Lighting setup
- Dancers and flower boys
- Live DJ van for the procession
Prices go up during peak wedding season and depend on city and duration.
🎧 8. DJ for Sangeet / Celebration
Estimated Cost: ₹20,000 – ₹50,000+
For the Sangeet, cocktail night, or reception dance party, hiring a DJ with a good sound system and lighting setup is essential.
Add-ons like LED dance floors, laser lights, and celebrity DJs can push the cost higher.
🌴 9. Honeymoon Trip
Estimated Cost: ₹1,00,000 – ₹15,00,000
The honeymoon is often seen as the first big expense after the wedding.
Cost varies based on:
- Domestic (e.g., Kashmir, Kerala) or international (e.g., Maldives, Europe)
- Duration of the trip (3–10 days)
- Travel class (economy/business)
- Hotel (budget to luxury resorts)
🏠 10. Bride’s Home Decoration (Post-Wedding/Grih Pravesh)
Estimated Cost: ₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000
This includes decorating the bride’s room or new home for her arrival.
Items may include:
- Floral arrangements
- Lights and drapes
- Furniture upgrades
- Personalized nameplates or signs
💎 11. Bride’s Jewellery (Gifted by Groom’s Family)
Estimated Cost: ₹3,00,000 – ₹10,00,000+
Traditionally, the groom’s side gifts jewellery to the bride, especially in North Indian customs.
Includes:
- Gold bangles, necklaces, earrings
- Diamond sets (optional)
- Silver gifts for rituals
🏡 12. Groom’s Home Decoration & Renovation
Estimated Cost: ₹1,00,000 – ₹2,00,000
Before the wedding, many families give their home a makeover:
- Painting and maintenance
- Plumbing/electrical checks
- New furniture or decor
- Light decoration for rituals and wedding days
It enhances the celebratory vibe and makes the house look picture-ready!
🧘♂️ 13. Priest & Pooja Samagri
Estimated Cost: ₹20,000 – ₹60,000
- Priest’s Dakshina: Depends on popularity, rituals covered, and number of days.
- Pooja Items: Includes havan samagri, fruits, flowers, cloth, utensils, and sweets as directed by the priest.
Some priests offer complete packages including the samagri.
🧾 14. Miscellaneous Expenses
Estimated Cost: ₹1,00,000 – ₹2,00,000
- Token gifts for guests
- Snacks during rituals
- Extra staff/helpers
- Emergency needs
- Mehendi artists, makeup artists, last-minute décor, etc.
🧮 Total Estimated Range for Groom’s Family
👉 ₹17,00,000 – ₹56,00,000+
Of course, this is just a ballpark. Costs can go lower or higher based on location, preferences, traditions, and the scale of the wedding.
✅ Final Thoughts
Planning a wedding from the groom’s side comes with a lot of excitement—and a lot of responsibilities. Whether you’re aiming for a lavish celebration or a balanced budget wedding, this guide should help you understand where your money goes and how to plan effectively.
📝 Pro Tip: Always keep a 10–15% buffer for unexpected costs. Work with vendors who are transparent and come with trusted reviews.
Total for Groom’s Family: 10-20 Lakh INR
Additional Considerations
- Pre-Wedding Functions: Engagement, mehendi, sangeet, and other cultural events can add another 5-10 Lakh INR to the overall cost.
- Post-Wedding Functions: Expenses for additional celebrations hosted by either family.
- Honeymoon: The cost of the honeymoon can range from 2-10 Lakh INR, depending on the destination.
Grand Total
The overall cost for a wedding in India, including all the above expenses, can range from 35-76 Lakh INR or more, depending on the scale and luxury involved.
Why Are Weddings in India So Expensive?
- Cultural Significance: Weddings are considered highly significant cultural events, involving numerous rituals and traditions over several days.
- Guest List Size: Indian weddings typically have large guest lists, often ranging from a few hundred to several thousand people.
- Lavish Celebrations: There is a cultural expectation to host grand and opulent celebrations to showcase family status and hospitality.
- Gold and Jewelry: Jewelry plays a crucial role, symbolizing wealth and often given as dowry or gifts.
- Multiple Events: Indian weddings involve a series of functions including engagement, mehendi, sangeet, the wedding ceremony, and the reception, each with its own set of expenses.
How Do These Costs Add Up?
By breaking down these expenses into categories, we can see how the total cost accumulates. The numerous events, large guest lists, and cultural emphasis on lavish celebrations contribute significantly to the overall expense. This detailed understanding helps in planning and managing the budget effectively for a memorable and culturally rich wedding.
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