Free tool · Couples
South Asian wedding checklist
Choose your date and your ceremonies. We'll show you the stages, and the first things to sort in each, so the family knows where to start.
Think of it as a starting point for the whole family: what to talk about first, what to book first and what can wait. Set your month and ceremonies below, and it lays out every stage from 12 months out to the final week.
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12 months or more
9 to 12 months
6 to 9 months
3 to 6 months
1 to 3 months
The final month
The week itself
These are the first tasks in each stage. Ticks last for this visit only. The full list, to tick off and share with family, is coming to the app.
Save it in the appJoin the waitlistThree steps
How the checklist works
Pick your month
Add your wedding month, or leave it as "Not set yet". With a month, each stage shows real dates, and the stage you are in now is highlighted.
Pick your ceremonies
Mehndi, nikkah, anand karaj, Hindu wedding ceremonies, baraat, walima, sangeet, reception, or your own. Tasks for ceremonies you don't pick are left out.
See what to do first
Each stage lists its first tasks. Start at the top, and share the page with whoever is helping.
At a glance
The stages
12 months or more
Agree which ceremonies you are having and roughly how many guests at each. Set a budget together. Book the venue for your largest event. Check how your marriage will be legally registered.
9 to 12 months
Book your caterer, with a tasting. Book photography and video. Talk to decorators about the stage and hall.
6 to 9 months
Order outfits for each ceremony. Book the mehndi artist, hair and makeup, and dhol or DJ.
3 to 6 months
Send invitations. Plan baraat and guest transport. Give notice of marriage if you need to.
1 to 3 months
Give each vendor final numbers per ceremony. Share a timeline for each day. Note every balance due date.
The final month
Confirm every vendor in writing. Pay balances before the event. Give each family member one job.
The week itself
Print a run-sheet for each day. Hand all vendor numbers to one named person. Rest.
England and Wales
The legal part, early
In England and Wales you must give notice at least 29 days before your ceremony, and hold it within 12 months of giving notice1. A religious wedding can take place at any registered religious building, but an authorised person must attend and sign the marriage schedule. If there isn't one, you need to book a registrar2. Ask your mosque, gurdwara or mandir how they handle this when you first speak to them, so it doesn't catch you out later.
Who does what
Planning with family
South Asian weddings are planned by families, not just couples. The checklist works best when one person holds it and others own a stage: one aunt for the mehndi, a cousin for transport, your parents for the guest list. In the app, you will be able to share your plan with family so they can see it without editing it.
Checked 30 September 2026
Sources
- Gov.uk, "Marriages and civil partnerships in England and Wales: Give notice", gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships/give-notice, checked 30 September 2026.
- Gov.uk, "Marriages and civil partnerships in England and Wales: Plan your ceremony", gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships/plan-your-ceremony, checked 30 September 2026.
Read the full Asian wedding checklist, the timelines for Muslim, Sikh and Hindu weddings, and the deposit and booking checklist.
Questions
Start 12 months or more ahead if you can. That gives the family time to agree the ceremonies, rough guest numbers and budget, then book the venue for your largest event while you still have a choice of dates.
Usually the venue for the largest ceremony, then the caterer, because both depend on your guest numbers and date. Photographers, decorators and mehndi artists often come next.
In England and Wales you must give notice at least 29 days before your ceremony, and hold the ceremony within 12 months of giving notice, according to gov.uk.
It can. Gov.uk says a religious wedding can take place at any registered religious building, and an authorised person must attend and sign the marriage schedule. If there isn't one, you need to book a registrar. Check this early with your mosque, gurdwara or mandir.
Not on this page. The full task list, which you can tick off, organise by ceremony and share with family, is coming to the Nodus app. Sign up now and you'll have it as soon as it is ready.
Keep going
Where next
- JournalThe Asian wedding checklistA month-by-month checklist for South Asian weddings with several events: venues, caterers, legal notice, mehndi, outfits, vendors and the week itself.
- Free toolSouth Asian wedding budget plannerSplit your wedding budget across the mehndi, nikkah, anand karaj, baraat, walima and reception, and across catering, venues and decor. Free, no sign-up.
- Free toolGuest count planner for every ceremonyAdd up guests for each ceremony, from mehndi to walima, split by each family's side. Free, no sign-up. Invites and RSVPs are coming to the app.
Also useful: Wedding deposit and booking checklist · A Muslim wedding timeline for the UK · Free tools for South Asian weddings