Wedding Planning Guide Delhi NCR 2026 – Complete Checklist, Timeline & Budget Framework

Step 1: Set Your Budget

Budget is the single most important decision in wedding planning because it determines every subsequent choice. Delhi NCR weddings range enormously, from Rs 15-20 lakhs for an elegant, focused celebration to Rs 2 crore and above for a lavish multi-day affair. The key is not the total number but how you allocate it.

A proven allocation framework for Delhi NCR weddings looks like this: venue and catering should receive 35-40% of your total budget, as this is the largest line item and the one guests notice most. Decor and floral design typically account for 15-20%, though destination or palace-style setups can push higher. Photography and videography deserve 8-12%; this is the investment that outlasts the event itself. Bridal and groom attire together run 12-18%, depending on designer choices. Entertainment, including DJ, choreographer, and live performers, takes 5-8%. Invitations, favours, and miscellaneous items fill the remaining 10-15%.

Critical rule: always reserve a 10-15% contingency buffer. Delhi weddings have a documented tendency to exceed planned guest counts by 10-20%, and last-minute additions, such as an extra flower arrangement or an upgraded bar package, add up fast. Couples who build this buffer into their planning from day one report significantly less financial stress.

For detailed budget templates, city-specific cost benchmarks, and negotiation strategies, read our Wedding Budget Guide for Delhi.

Step 2: Choose Your Venue

Venue selection is where most couples either get it right early or spend months going in circles. The trick is to establish your non-negotiables before you start visiting. Begin with capacity: your preliminary guest list determines whether you need a 300-person banquet hall or a 1,500-person convention centre. Next, consider location accessibility. If 60% of your guests live in South Delhi, a venue in Gurugram adds 45-60 minutes of travel; factor this into your decision.

Evaluate catering policy early. Some venues offer in-house catering with fixed menus, others allow external caterers with a corkage fee, and some provide full flexibility. Your food vision should align with the venue's policy. Decor flexibility matters equally: check whether the venue allows open flames for the havan, permits structural installations for mandap and stages, and has adequate power supply for the lighting your decorator envisions.

Parking capacity is frequently overlooked until it becomes a problem. A 500-guest wedding can mean 150-200 cars; ensure the venue has adequate parking or reliable valet arrangements. For outdoor venues, always confirm the indoor backup plan in case of unseasonal rain. Finally, if you are hosting a multi-day wedding, check whether the venue offers on-site accommodation or has partnered hotels nearby for guest convenience.

Our detailed decision framework walks you through a weighted scoring system for comparing venues. Read the Venue Decision Framework guide to structure your shortlist.

Step 3: Book Your Wedding Planner

Not every wedding needs a planner, but most Delhi NCR weddings with 400+ guests benefit enormously from professional coordination. A good wedding planner serves as your single point of contact for all vendors, manages day-of logistics, troubleshoots problems before they reach you, and ensures the timeline stays on track across multiple events.

When selecting a planner, prioritise relevant experience over portfolio glamour. Ask how many weddings they have managed at your chosen venue or in your guest-count range. Request references from recent clients and follow up on them. Understand their fee structure: some charge a flat fee, others take a percentage of total wedding spend (typically 10-15%), and some work on a per-event basis. Clarify exactly what is included and what incurs additional charges.

The ideal time to engage a planner is 10-12 months before the wedding, right after setting your budget and before committing to vendors. This allows the planner to leverage their vendor relationships for better rates and availability. Some planners also assist with venue selection, which can save weeks of independent research.

Discover the top-rated planners who regularly coordinate events at Tivoli venues in our Wedding Planners Who Work With Tivoli guide.

Delhi Wedding Season Guide

Timing your wedding correctly in Delhi NCR can save lakhs and improve guest comfort. The peak wedding season runs from mid-October through mid-February, when temperatures are pleasant (15-28 degrees Celsius) and auspicious dates are plentiful. During this window, venue prices peak, vendor availability drops, and you need to book 12+ months in advance. Expect to pay 30-50% more for peak-season dates compared to off-season.

The shoulder season, covering March to mid-April and September to mid-October, offers a compelling middle ground. Temperatures are manageable (25-35 degrees), prices drop 15-25% from peak, and you gain significantly more vendor flexibility. Many couples find that March weddings, with spring blooms and cool evenings, offer the best combination of weather, pricing, and availability.

Summer weddings (May through August) are less common due to extreme heat (40-47 degrees Celsius) and monsoon unpredictability, but they come with substantial savings: 30-50% lower venue costs, wide-open vendor calendars, and the ability to book premium properties on short notice. If you choose a fully air-conditioned venue and schedule outdoor events for after sunset, a summer wedding can be both comfortable and financially advantageous.

For month-by-month pricing data, weather patterns, and auspicious date calendars, read our Delhi Wedding Season Guide.

Guest Management & Food

Guest management is one of the most underestimated aspects of Delhi NCR wedding planning. The average Delhi wedding sees a 10-20% variance between RSVP count and actual attendance, which directly impacts catering, seating, parking, and favours. Start with a structured guest list divided into tiers: immediate family, extended family, close friends, professional network, and plus-ones. Use a shared spreadsheet or wedding management app to track invitations sent, RSVPs received, dietary requirements, and accommodation needs for outstation guests.

Catering deserves its own dedicated planning track. Delhi wedding guests have high expectations for food quality and variety. A typical multi-cuisine spread includes 8-12 starters, 4-6 main course options across vegetarian and non-vegetarian, 3-4 bread varieties, live counters (chaat, dosa, pasta, tandoor), and a dedicated dessert station. Schedule at least two menu tastings with your caterer: one to explore options and one to finalise the final menu. Discuss service style, whether you prefer sit-down, buffet, or a combination, and plan the flow to avoid bottlenecks during peak serving hours.

For complete strategies on managing large guest lists with minimal stress, read our Wedding Guest Management Guide. For menu planning, cuisine trends, and catering vendor advice, see the Delhi Wedding Food & Catering Guide.