Who doesn’t love the colorful traditions, extravagant multi-day parties, culturally-immersed functions, and splendid food? Perhaps it’s the charm of a South Asian wedding that always have inspired people to know the customs and turn it into a more beautiful experience during the wedding.
Those of you who come from non–South Asian backgrounds may be wondering what it takes to build up the celebration with so many dynamics involved. For starters, it is different from a Western wedding in terms of the full family of bride and groom being involved who take the calls about the celebrations.
With many factors at play, planning a wedding today is a daunting process. From the financial implications of what will probably be the most expensive purchase you’ll make in your lifetime, to a tight timeline that leaves only a few months (if not weeks) to plan something that will take most people years to pull off, putting together all the details of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration can be overwhelming.
As an expert who can differentiate these nuances, we have Judy Maligaspe to tell us what goes behind creating stunning South Asian celebrations for couples.
If you’re tying the knot soon, Judy is here to help! In this blog, she covers everything about planning South Asian weddings wedding in detail, so you are aware of the factors beforehand. Read below for tips on making the wedding planning process easier.
Defining The Budget
Picture Courtesy: @misserum
To turn your matrimonial vision into a financial reality, the first step is to create a wedding budget early on and stick to it! This subject always comes up. Deciding what are the priorities is key here. Create a budget for the couple with estimated charges from what it would cost. Most of the time, they really don’t know what exactly it costs. We as planners should be able to educate our clients on what costs would be involved in planning a wedding.
Negotiating The Contracts
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When we are negotiating contracts with venues or hotels, make sure you are adding extra time for mandap set up, whether it’s the day before or overnight set up, and yes this should be in writing. Also having that conversation about outside catering. Most venues are particular in outside catering, so make sure you know the charges for outside catering, which could add up to your wedding budget. Break down the events, costing’s and components. Create a spreadsheet and identify areas where you can save.
Choosing The Vendors
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In the event world, we live in we have so many vendors who do the same job, some are seasoned, and some are not. Educating the clients, about the difference between each vendor and what they are often, and why they charge differently. Schedule appointments with the most sought-after vendors on your consideration list first such as locations and videographers who books up to years in advance Always practice OQP “Only quality people.” and consider the three ‘R’s- Research, Referrals and Reviews!
Patience Is The Key
Picture Courtesy: @misserum
South Asian Weddings come with a traditional sense of community and the support the family provides during the planning process. They are done differently and come with a number of other challenges too. It’s often difficult to convince your family that this day is about you and your fiancé. You will be working with both families not just the couple, being patient is essential, and yes it comes with experience in the industry. Learning to be patient is key.
Being Transparent
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As planners being transparent with your clients, can be a thin line. How do we be transparent with clients without making them uncomfortable? Well, most clients do like transparency, especially when it comes to finances/budget. Know your priorities, your partners’ priorities, and your parents’ priorities for everyone’s dream wedding.
Talk Finances
Picture Courtesy: @enmuse
While planning a South Asian wedding, from the initial consultation call find out who would be the decision-makers in the wedding planning process. Yes, the couple will have a vision. Still, it’s important to understand when planning a south Asian wedding, the majority of the time the finance are done by the family which comes to the point of who is the decision maker in the wedding planning process. Working with both families is a skill that comes from experience. Navigating that experience will give you a better understanding of how everything works.
Trust Your Wedding Planner
Pictures Courtesy: @lizziebakerphoto
Lastly, your wedding planner is the lifeline you need to fully trust at the moment! Even if you hire an Indian wedding planner, it’s helpful to understand the Indian wedding planning process and how to plan an Indian wedding before you dive in.
As Judy believes- “We should celebrate each moment,” Wera Events operates with a vision of transforming events into memories. They are a boutique luxury full planning & design company; that plan & executes multicultural weddings. Wera Events customize your wedding details from initial consultation to planning, to implementation by taking into account your culture, traditions, history, and your unique spin.
They also help couples with the process of vendor and venue selection, decor and wedding style, timeline management, invitations and RSVPs, transportation and travel arrangements, budget, guest list management, and on-site, day-of coordination.
Need help with planning your dream South Asian Wedding in the USA? Contact Wera Events, now! Book them on DWP Insider!
Website: www.weraevents.com
Instagram: Wera Events
Feature Image Credit: @thismodernlovephoto
