The Velvet Knot Journal
Wedding planning,
demystified.
Honest guides on cost, timelines, traditions, and what really happens behind a well-planned Indian wedding.
Indian Wedding Planning Timeline: Complete Month-by-Month Checklist (12-18 Months)
By Team Velvet Knot · Reviewed by senior planners · Updated for 2026 Start planning an Indian wedding 15 to 18 months out for any celebration with more than 150 guests or two-plus events. Premium venues book 12 to 18 months ahead during the October to February peak, and a 3-event wedding involves 15 to […]
Read article
Wedding Planner Cost in India 2026: Complete City-Wise Pricing Guide
By Team Velvet Knot · Reviewed by senior planners · Updated for 2026 A wedding planner in India costs Rs 50,000 to Rs 8 lakh as a flat fee, or 8 to 15 percent of total vendor spend for percentage-based planners. On a Rs 30 lakh wedding that percentage works out to roughly Rs 2.4 […]
Read article
Top 10 Wedding Venues in Udaipur: Prices, Capacity & Photos [2026]
By Team Velvet Knot · Reviewed by senior planners · Updated for 2026 The top wedding venues in Udaipur for 2026 include the Oberoi Udaivilas, Taj Lake Palace, City Palace, Jagmandir Island Palace, Fateh Prakash Palace, and The Leela Palace. Prices range from roughly Rs 15 lakh to Rs 2 crore per day depending on […]
Read article
Sikh Wedding Traditions: Complete Anand Karaj Planning Guide
By Team Velvet Knot · Reviewed by senior planners · Updated for 2026 The Anand Karaj is the Sikh wedding ceremony, performed before the Guru Granth Sahib, in which the couple circles the scripture four times while the four Laavan hymns are recited, each marking a stage of love and spiritual growth. Sikh weddings in […]
Read article
South Indian Wedding Traditions: Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam & Kannada Guide
By Team Velvet Knot · Reviewed by senior planners · Updated for 2026 A South Indian wedding centres on the tying of the thali (mangalsutra), the exchange of garlands, and the saptapadi or seven steps, with distinct customs across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka. Attire, cuisine, and ritual order differ beautifully […]
Read article
Muslim Wedding Traditions in India: Nikah, Mehr & Walima Guide
By Team Velvet Knot · Reviewed by senior planners · Updated for 2026 A Muslim wedding in India centres on the Nikah, a sacred Islamic contract that includes the Ijab-e-Qubool (proposal and acceptance), the Mehr gift from groom to bride, and the signing of the Nikahnama, followed by the Walima feast. Indian Muslim weddings blend […]
Read article
Hindu Wedding Rituals: Complete Guide to Every Ceremony [2026]
By Team Velvet Knot · Reviewed by senior planners · Updated for 2026 A Hindu wedding is a Vedic union that typically spans two to five days, moving through pre-wedding ceremonies like roka, mehendi, sangeet, and haldi, then the wedding-day rituals of baraat, jaimala, the mandap pheras, sindoor, and vidaai. Hindu weddings account for roughly […]
Read article
What Is a Wedding Planner? Roles, Services & Why You Need One [2026]
By Team Velvet Knot · Reviewed by senior planners · Updated for 2026 A wedding planner is a professional who manages the full planning, coordination, and execution of a wedding, from budgeting and vendor selection to day-of logistics. In India, wedding planner fees range from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 50 lakh depending on scale […]
Read article
Intimate Wedding Planning in India: A Complete Guide for Small Celebrations [2026]
By Team Velvet Knot · Reviewed by senior planners · Updated for 2026 An intimate wedding in India, generally defined as under 100 guests, costs between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 25 lakh for a premium experience. The format has surged since 2020: 38 percent of Indian couples now consider a wedding under 150 guests, […]
Read article
Palace Weddings in Jaipur: Best Venues, Costs & Planning Tips [2026]
By Team Velvet Knot · Reviewed by senior planners · Updated for 2026 A palace wedding in Jaipur costs between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 80 lakh for 200 to 500 guests, with venue rental alone running Rs 8 lakh to Rs 40 lakh per day at heritage properties. The Pink City hosts about 20 […]
Read article