Weddings in India are known for grandeur – but that doesn’t mean they need a sky-high budget. In fact, many Tier-2 city weddings cost only about ₹5–10 lakh for a one-day event. So your ₹10 lakh budget can go a long way. With smart choices and a focus on what truly matters, you can have a memorable wedding without stress. As one guide notes, you can plan an elegant wedding within ₹10 lakhs with careful planning. Think of it as a fun budgeting puzzle: choose your priorities (like great food or photography) and trim the rest.
A real advantage: Tier-2 cities (Kochi, Lucknow, Jaipur, etc.) are affordable wedding hotspots rich in culture. Their venues and services often cost much less than big metros. Industry data confirms this: a typical one-day wedding in a Tier-2 city runs around ₹5–10 lakh, compared to ₹25–50 lakh in big cities. So don’t worry – with the right budget wedding planning strategies, wedding under 10 lakhs is absolutely doable.
Set Your Budget & Priorities
First, outline your top priorities (venue, food, outfits, photography, etc.) and allocate funds accordingly. For example, one sample budget splits ₹10L roughly as: ~₹3.5L for venue & catering, ₹1.2L for photographer, ₹1L for décor, ₹1.5L for outfits, and the rest for music, invites and a buffer. Make a spreadsheet or savings plan to track every rupee. Remember: investing in what you’ll remember (like good photos or delicious food) makes the celebration special. One tip is to ask, “Do I want a premium venue or premium food?” – then allocate more to the answer
Choose the Right Venue
Venues eat up a big chunk of any budget, so be cost-savvy here. In smaller cities, look for community halls, banquet halls or resorts rather than luxury hotels. These often charge just ₹1.5–3.0L per day for a well-maintained hall, even in places like Jaipur or Pune. Many venues offer all-inclusive packages with catering and basic décor – grab those deals! For example, some couples found farmhouses with food and décor included for under ₹3L. Also, off-peak timing helps: weekday weddings and off-season (e.g. July–September) can get big discounts. (Tip: Many venues charge extra for weekend dates, so a weekday “shaadi” can save you thousands.) In short: go local and smart. Negotiate for bundled services and avoid peak-season prices.
Local Halls: Banquet halls or resorts in Tier-2 cities often cost far less than metro hotels
Bundle Deals: Look for venues that include catering/decor in one package. All-in-one pricing saves on separate rentals.
Off-Peak Booking: A Monday–Friday wedding (or rainy-season date) usually comes with discounted rates
Trim Your Guest List
Less is more when budget is tight. Every extra plate costs money! Aim for 100–150 guests. Cutting just 50 people can easily save ₹1–2 lakh on catering alone. A smaller list also means fewer invites and favors. Stick to close family and friends. Sending digital invitations (via WhatsApp or email) can save a bundle compared to printed cards. One planner reminds us that “trimming your guest list, you instantly save on food, venue, gifts and rentals”. Keep the celebration intimate – you’ll have more to enjoy per person without overspending.
Keep it Small: Target ~100 guests. Skipping distant relatives or work acquaintances cuts costs big time.
Digital Invites: Use an e-invite or wedding website. Printed cards can run ₹50,000+, so a WhatsApp invite is much cheaper.
Friends & Family Only: Remember, every extra guest adds ~₹300–600 to your budget (for food, gifts, seating).
Savvy Catering & Food
Food is a highlight, but you don’t need a gold-plated menu. Focus on simple, delicious dishes. Popular strategy: vegetarian, limited menus. For example, serve 2 starters, 3 main dishes and 1 dessert instead of a huge buffet. Pure veg menus cost less per plate – one guide notes veg spreads run only ₹350–550/plate at local halls. Consider a traditional thali (dal, rice, roti, vegetable curry, sweet) which can be as low as ₹300–400/plate.
Also, negotiate! Many local caterers in smaller cities will quote ~₹450–600/plate for good quality food. Ask vendors to tailor packages: fewer courses or local ingredients. Daytime weddings mean lighter meals (no late-night snacks), trimming the bill further. The bottom line: fill tummies, not wallets.
Simple Menus: Stick to 2–3 main dishes, a dessert, and veg fare. For example, a Punjabi dal-chawal or South Indian thali at ₹300–400/plate is hearty and affordable.
Veg Advantage: Veg meals are cheaper per plate (₹350–550) vs. non-veg (up to ₹1,800 in big hotels). Don’t skip the butter chicken or mutton – just serve a smaller quantity.
Negotiate Per-Plate: Good banquet caterers often have sliding scales. Compare a few and pick the best menu under ₹600/plate.
Cupboards and Go: If budget’s really tight, consider home-cooked staples prepared by local caterers – tasty and traditional (families in smaller cities do this often!).
Beautiful, Budget-Friendly Decor
You can have a stunning look without splurging on lavish decor. Embrace a minimalist theme. Use in-season, local flowers (marigold garlands are classic and cheap) and tons of fairy lights or diyas. A simple mandap with marigolds and lights can look as spectacular as an expensive floral arch. Rent chair covers and drapes instead of buying. Reuse centerpieces and backdrops across events.
DIY elements (like homemade table décor or family craftwork) add personal charm for free. If you do hire decorators, focus their work on one feature area (stage or entrance) and keep other spaces simple. As one tip puts it: go for “minimalist decor with marigolds or local flowers” instead of imported blossoms.
In-Season Blooms: Floral decoration is cheaper if you pick flowers in bloom. Marigolds, sunflowers or local blossoms cost far less than exotic roses.
Lights & Fabric: Fairy lights, lanterns and colored drapes create a festive vibe for pennies. A string of LED lights under a simple canopy = instant magic.
Rent/Re-use: Borrow or rent decor items (lanterns, candle stands) rather than buy new. Reuse leftover flowers from one ceremony in the next event’s mandap.
Simple Themes: Stick to 1–2 colors (pastel or rustic themes) so you don’t overspend on too many props.
Dress & Jewelry on a Dime
Look like royalty without the price tag. First, outfits: instead of couture designers, hit local boutiques or markets. Many brides rent designer lehengas (some places rent a full wedding outfit for just ₹20k–40k). Grooms can similarly rent a sherwani or pick a simple one under ₹10k. Buying during festive sales or after Indian wedding fairs can also net big discounts.
For jewelry, mix and match. Borrow family heirlooms for the main showpieces and use artificial or rented jewelry for the rest. A string of pearls or kundan necklace (rented) looks elegant and costs much less than gold. Limit outfit changes (one lehenga and a few accessories for multiple functions) to save tailoring fees. As one planner advises: avoid pricey labels and “reuse family jewelry” – it can save ₹50k–1L easily.
Rent or Buy Smart: Rent bridal and groom outfits from local studios (Delhi’s Chandni Chowk or Kolhapur’s markets have great deals). A rented lehenga looks stunning without the ₹2–3L price tag of buying.
Jewelry Hacks: Opt for one big heirloom piece (a necklace or bangles) and complement with artificial sets. Real gold isn’t mandatory for the perfect look.
One Look, Many Events: Use the same outfit for ceremony and reception (just change the jewelry or dupatta) to halve costs.
Capture Memories Wisely (Photography)
Great photos are priceless – don’t skimp too much here. Still, you can save. Skip elaborate pre-wedding cinematic shoots if they’re too costly. Instead, hire a talented candid photographer (and maybe a short highlight reel) for about ₹40k–60k. In Tier-2 cities, many skilled photographers offer packages in this range with all the essential shots. Book early (vendors often hike prices last-minute) and negotiate a fixed package.
Limit coverage to key events only (wedding ceremony, first dance, cake cutting, etc.). Encourage guests to snap photos on their phones during Mehendi or Sangeet – often those candid moments become keepsakes. As one budget-planning site suggests, packages with just traditional coverage and candid shots can start around ₹45k. Don’t cut photography entirely, but cut the extras: a few fewer hours or no drone shots can save a lot.
Invest in Photos: Allocate a fair share of your budget here. A good wedding album is a lifelong memento. Look for photographers who specialize in smaller-budget weddings.
Minimal Team: Hire one pro photographer (with a second shooter if needed), and skip the extra videographer or live-stream crew unless it’s in your must-have list.
DIY Help: Ask a friend with a nice camera to do event shots, or set up a simple photo booth corner with props for guests to have fun.
Extra Money-Saving Tips
Get creative! Tiny hacks add up:
Morning Magic: Hold the ceremony in daylight. Venues often charge less for morning slots, plus daylight makes natural lighting great in photos.
Combine Functions: Host Mehendi, Sangeet or Reception back-to-back at the same place. You’ll pay one décor bill instead of two.
Local Talent: Hire local musicians, DJs and Mehendi artists. They’re more affordable than big-city pros and often just as good. (Your friends will also love jamming to them!)
DIY Invites: Use WhatsApp, email or a free wedding website for invites. Many couples save ~₹20k by ditching expensive stationery.
Off-Season Booking: Choose a date in the monsoon/off-peak season. Vendors typically offer discounts when booking is slow.
Ask for Help: Let family or friends volunteer – be it a cousin DJ-ing, a brother doing makeup, or mom & aunties making decorations. It’s fun and frugal!