What I Tell Every Family Planning a Wedding - Sahil Kathuria, Founder & CEO

After planning more than 100 weddings, I’ve seen how quickly venue selection can get complicated. The photos might catch a family’s eye, but there’s a lot more to consider before making a decision.

Are your preferred dates available? Can the venue fit everyone comfortably? And what will the final bill actually look like? Clarifying these details early in the planning process can save families time, money and the disappointment of getting attached to a venue that doesn’t work for their wedding.

An estimated 25 lakh destination weddings took place in India last year, with the numbers projected to rise by 35% this year. With so many decisions involved, I know how easy it is to feel overwhelmed by the planning process. Here are my destination wedding planning tips to help you get started.

How to Plan a Destination Wedding: Where Do You Start?

When families ask me where to begin with a destination wedding, I always suggest getting a few basics in place first. Start with your guest count, preferred dates and total budget. Everything else follows after them.

Ideally, start planning 8 to 12 months ahead, particularly if you’re considering a popular destination or peak-season dates. Popular venues can get booked out months in advance, especially for peak wedding dates, so you may be competing with other families for the same dates.

I’d suggest shortlisting three hotels that suit your wedding rather than trying to keep track of dozens. It makes the whole process a lot easier, and it’s often one of the first destination wedding planning tips I share with families.

Destination Wedding Checklist: What Should You Lock in First?

Once you have a rough idea of your budget and the rest of the details mapped out, the next step is to work out what needs your attention first. Here’s the destination wedding checklist I’d recommend following to keep your planning on track:

• Confirmed hotel availability for your dates, not a ‘likely’
• A written, line-item quote
• Room count for family and guests
• An indoor backup in case of rain
• Vendor rules for your decorator, caterer and DJ
• Plan how your guests will get there, including flights, local transfers and arrival timings

Destination Wedding Budget Tips: Where Does the Money Go?

Recent industry estimates put the average budget for a destination wedding in India at INR 58 lakhs in 2025. For destination weddings, accounting for guest accommodation, travel and venue expenses early on can help families plan their budgets more effectively. Décor, catering, accommodation and venue charges can add up quickly, so I recommend checking each cost carefully before committing to a venue.

Here are a few destination wedding budget tips I share with families to help them plan their spending:

• Ask for a detailed cost breakdown instead of relying on one package price.
• Check what the quote covers, including rooms, meals and venue hire.
• Confirm whether drinks are included or charged separately based on consumption.
• Allocate around 45% of your budget to the hotel, keeping the remaining 55% reserved for photography, décor, entertainment, travel and other expenses.
• Compare venues based on their existing features and décor requirements, so you can account for additional setup costs before booking.
• Keep a contingency fund for unexpected expenses and last-minute changes.

Destination Wedding Planning Mistakes: What Should You Avoid?

A venue can tick off all the boxes at first, but small oversights can cause headaches later. Here are the destination wedding planning mistakes I’d encourage every family to look out for:

Hiring a Destination Wedding Planner: Do You Need One?

Hiring a destination wedding planner could turn out to be a great call for large, multi-day weddings. The catch is that some planners recommend hotels based on commissions or relationships rather than fit.

Of all my destination wedding planning tips, this one gets repeated most. Take help from a destination wedding planner for execution, but check hotel options and rates yourself first. At Vivahnam, we work directly with families to manage venue selection, pricing, and everything else so everyone works from the same accurate information.

How Do I Find the Best Destination Wedding Planner in India?

Since there is no official ranking, look at their work and how they deal with clients. The best destination wedding planner in India for your wedding will:

• Exhibit recent weddings at your preferred destination.
• Explain their fees and commissions upfront.
• Respect your venue choice.
• Share references you can contact.

When choosing a destination wedding planner in India, look for someone who’s transparent about costs and has experience with weddings similar to yours.

Destination Wedding Ideas: Where Are Families Getting Married?

India offers plenty of settings to consider when choosing a wedding destination. Here are a few destination wedding ideas to help you narrow down your shortlist:

• A palace wedding in Udaipur or Jaipur for a royal setting.
• A beachside celebration in Goa.
• A desert wedding in Jaisalmer, with the dunes as a backdrop.
• An international celebration in the UAE, Thailand or Sri Lanka, depending on your budget and guests’ travel needs.

Destination Wedding Planning Guide: How Does Vivahnam Help?

Wedding planning gets easier when you know what your options are and what they will cost. This guide shows how Vivahnam can help you put the destination wedding planning tips into practice:

Booking a venue should be one of the most exciting parts of planning your wedding. The trick is finding a place you love without stretching your budget or running into surprises later. My destination wedding planning advice is to ask the right questions and make sure the venue works for your plans before you commit.

Need a hand finding the right fit? Call Vivahnam on +91 99533 90000 or book a wedding consultation. We’ll help you explore your options and figure out what works for your wedding and budget.