Aspirations
Shaadi budgeting 101—Before the lehenga comes the ledger
Big dreams, tight budgets, zero drama - your shaadi can have it all.
Key insights
Break down your budget into logical spends.
Don’t ignore hidden post-wedding costs.
Track everything—small expenses add up.
DIY smartly to save without stress.
“I want to get married in a celebrity-style lehenga.”
That was me 2 years ago, confidently declaring my wedding plans with a non-celebrity budget.
Cut to recent times - armed with a blank file, 10 tabs open, hunting online for budget friendly wedding planners.
Wedding budget planning is not easy. I had an existential crisis over multiple outfit changes or keeping my FD (because what are those prices?!)
Turns out, if you’re about to enter your big fat Indian wedding era, you’ve got to save yourself from turning into a broke bridezilla.
I managed to save my FD and sanity and still had the realistic wedding of my dreams. So, here's your crash course on Shaadi Budgeting Tips 101.
Shaadi survival tips
Step 1: Vision board meets bank balance
Saved your dream designer lehenga on your phone? Cute.
Sorry, but they don't accept EMI. The first of many shaadi budgeting tips: get real with numbers.
Start here:
- What’s your budget?
- Are parents contributing? Or are you and your partner funding it?
- What’s non-negotiable (the venue, the food, or the photographer)?
- What can be adjusted?
Tip: Fix a maximum limit. If your budget is ₹15 lakhs, then ₹15 lakhs it is. Not ₹15 lakhs + “just one more outfit.”
Step 3: Track every rupee
Yes, you will have enough on your plate already while planning the wedding. But there’s a solution - download a finance or budgeting app.
Write it all down. In a diary, a mirror on the wall - whatever works.
One of the most underrated wedding budget planning tips? Track your expenses mindfully.
If you’re not careful, you’ll spend ₹10k on an aesthetic corner that the guests won’t even notice!
Step 4: DIY what you can
If I’m being honest, DIY was never my thing. Who even has the patience? Turns out my cousins did!
Wedding budget planning gets easy real quick when you realise you have a cousin who’s a lowkey decor expert
DIY-friendly ideas:
- Welcome boards and signs
- Mehendi favours
- Playlist curation
But here’s the deal- don’t DIY everything. Some things - like your wedding video deserve professionals.
Step 5: Say yes to the lehenga… but
Check the price tag twice! No, I mean it, you might miss out on a few zeros that will cost you a good night’s sleep.
Wedding budget planning for outfits:
- If sustainability is your game, try rental platforms for lehengas.
- Buy from multi-designer stores where you can compare prices.
- Local finds, style up hidden gems from the trusted shops in your area.
- Plan so you can buy off-season and save more.
Tip: Your social media caption won’t say “₹1.5 lakh outfit”, it’ll just say “slayed.”
Step 6: Food is king
Good food = good vibe.
Weddings get over, but food memories last. And trust me, your guests will 100% judge your wedding by that not-so-great paneer kofta!
So, during your wedding budget planning, allocate funds accordingly. Instead of 50 dishes, go for 10 amazing ones.
Bonus shaadi budgeting tip: Out-of-the-box fancy food can be surprisingly affordable if done right.
Step 7: Post-wedding costs
Your wedding budget planning doesn’t end with the wedding.
Enter honeymoon tickets (unless you have friends and family generously gifting you a Europe trip, it’s all you).
New house or room setup costs! Save for housing and necessary appliance expenses.
Wedding favours for everyone who made it to your celebrations. Even if it’s a small thank-you plant, you’ve got to plan it.
Lastly, that one vendor who will keep calling because they want only cash.
If you don’t plan for it, these small costs are painful credit card stress stories waiting to happen.
Plan the perfect wedding with the right budget
Weddings are emotional. But wedding budget planning? It’s logical. This Indian wedding budget guide helped me plan my most special moments without breaking my FD! So wear that lehenga. Dance and make memories. But spend only where it matters.
Because real #couplegoals? It’s being married and financially chill after the big day.
Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational purposes. The views expressed in this article are personal. Axis Bank and/or the author shall not be liable for any direct or indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader arising from reliance on the content herein. Readers are advised to consult a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions. Axis Bank does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of any third-party content or links included in this article.
By Axis Bank Learning Hub Team
