I'm an Indian wedding planner. My top advice is to make sure the budget is aligned with both families and to invest in a day-of coordination team.

Yoonji HanJan 14, 2024, 11:51 IST

Sushma Patel, founder of Simply Posh Events, plans around two dozen South Asian weddings a year.Courtesy of Sushma Patel

Sushma Patel is a South Asian wedding planner and the owner of Simply Posh Events.
Her biggest tip is setting a realistic budget and communicating that budget to families.

I'm a South Asian wedding planner who plans dozens of weddings a year. I also got married in my own big fat Indian wedding last year.

When I got engaged in 2019 is when I dove into wedding planning. I wanted to plan every little detail of my five-event, three-day big fat Indian wedding.

Patel at her own wedding last year.Tay Tesvich Photo

South Asian weddings are often multi-event affairs that bring together two families and their cultures. I recommend planning 12 to 16 months ahead.

South Asian weddings are often large affairs with hundreds of guests.Estely Mijares Photography

South Asian weddings are complex but a lot of fun. Having a planner you vibe with is so important.

A couple whose wedding Patel planned.Estely Mijares Photography

Setting a realistic budget is super important, especially now more than ever with inflation.

A table setting at a reception planned by Patel.Estely Mijares Photography

Communicating that budget with parents is also key to ensure both families are aligned.

A bride and groom whose wedding Patel planned.Tay Tesvich Photo

The first vendor we start with is the venue, and then the decorator and the caterer. These usually take up the biggest chunk of your budget.

A reception venue.Tay Tesvich Photo

Take the wedding planning process step-by-step. Break things down. For example, take one week to focus on finding a photographer; get quotes from multiple people, and sit down with your fiancé to figure out where to negotiate, and so on.

Take things like food and other vendors one step at a time, Patel says.Tay Tesvich Photo

Take the wedding planning process step-by-step. Break things down. For example, take one week to focus on finding a photographer; get quotes from multiple people, and sit down with your fiancé to figure out where to negotiate, and so on.

Family conflicts can be challenging. Wedding planners step in as family therapists sometimes.

A bride and groom at an Indian wedding, which Patel planned.Tay Tesvich Photo

Having a strong day-of coordination team is something everyone needs, whether you have 500 people at your wedding or 100.

Having a strong team on the day of the wedding is crucial, according to Patel.Tay Tesvich Photo

A common mistake is not communicating certain cultural components that need to happen at the events to the coordination team. The more you can tell your coordination team, the better everything is going to go.

A wedding stage for an Indian wedding Patel planned.Tay Tesvich Photo

A common mistake is not communicating certain cultural components that need to happen at the events to the coordination team. The more you can tell your coordination team, the better everything is going to go.

At the end of the day, just be yourself and have the most fun, because that sets the tone of the entire wedding.

Having fun is the most important step at the end of the day, Patel said.Estely Mijares Photography

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I'm an Indian wedding planner. My top advice is to make sure the budget is aligned with both families and to invest in a day-of coordination team.

When I got engaged in 2019 is when I dove into wedding planning. I wanted to plan every little detail of my five-event, three-day big fat Indian wedding.

South Asian weddings are often multi-event affairs that bring together two families and their cultures. I recommend planning 12 to 16 months ahead.

South Asian weddings are complex but a lot of fun. Having a planner you vibe with is so important.

Setting a realistic budget is super important, especially now more than ever with inflation.

Communicating that budget with parents is also key to ensure both families are aligned.

The first vendor we start with is the venue, and then the decorator and the caterer. These usually take up the biggest chunk of your budget.

Take the wedding planning process step-by-step. Break things down. For example, take one week to focus on finding a photographer; get quotes from multiple people, and sit down with your fiancé to figure out where to negotiate, and so on.

Family conflicts can be challenging. Wedding planners step in as family therapists sometimes.

Having a strong day-of coordination team is something everyone needs, whether you have 500 people at your wedding or 100.

A common mistake is not communicating certain cultural components that need to happen at the events to the coordination team. The more you can tell your coordination team, the better everything is going to go.

At the end of the day, just be yourself and have the most fun, because that sets the tone of the entire wedding.