There’s something wildly romantic about a six-month engagement. It’s spontaneous, packed with adrenaline, and yes—utterly doable. Whether you’re planning an opulent Mumbai soirée or an intimate cliffside ceremony in Phuket, the key to a seamless celebration lies in a timeline you’ll actually follow. No fluff, no forgotten RSVP lists—just real tasks, real tips, and a sprinkle of Wedding Vows-worthy flair.
Here’s your glam-meets-grounded wedding planning checklist, perfectly timed and tailored for the next 180 days.
Month 1: Vision Boarding & Booking Essentials
Lock your date.
Auspicious or not, your date dictates everything. Check with the pandit and the venue.
Choose your destination.
For local weddings, shortlist 2-3 venues that offer customization and privacy. Think: the regal charm of Bikaner’s Narendra Bhawan or the urban chic of Delhi’s The Leela Palace.
For destination weddings, research weather, visa requirements, and accessibility—Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Italy remain favorites, but newer gems like Baku and Antalya are rising stars.
Hire your planner (if needed).
Even the most organized bride needs a professional buffer. Destination weddings especially benefit from on-ground vendors who know the language, terrain, and how to rescue a lehenga lost in transit.
Begin your Pinterest-to-reality journey.
Create moodboards for decor, attire, and themes. Rasleela-chic, Sufi night glam, or Sundowner Haldi—the world’s your oyster.
Month 2: Fashion, Faces & Feels
Say yes to your dream outfits.
Visit your favorite designers early. For brides dreaming of Sabyasachi’s vintage florals or Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla’s mirrorwork magic, this is your moment. Don’t forget reception and pre-wedding looks.
Groom glam begins now.
He may pretend to be low-maintenance, but he deserves his couture moment too. Raghavendra Rathore, Kunal Rawal, and Shantnu & Nikhil bring regal drama to the groom’s wardrobe.
Book your glam squad.
Top MUAs and hairstylists get booked months in advance. Whether you’re flying them to Tuscany or to the ghats of Banaras, ensure your skin and hair trial schedules are in place.
Month 3: Guests, Gifts & Getting Real
Send the Save The Dates.
Especially crucial for destination weddings. For local affairs, a chic WhatsApp invite or an e-card can suffice at this point. Don’t forget the hashtag.
Finalize vendors.
Caterers, photographers, videographers, and entertainment. Have tastings, shortlists, and playlists ready. Remember: a wedding is remembered by how it looked, how it tasted, and how it sounded.
Begin trousseau shopping.
Include not just bridalwear, but comfy honeymoon wear, puja outfits, lingerie, beauty kits, and some mom-approved ethnic staples.
Start pre-wedding rituals.
Book pujas, mehendi artists, and custom favors. Personalization is in—think monogrammed dupattas, signature fragrances, or “his & hers” welcome kits.
Month 4: Décor, Details & Dance Practice
Design your decor vision.
Moodboards come alive here. Destination brides, coordinate virtually or plan a recce. Local brides—book your decorator and finalize themes for each event.
Build your playlists.
From bridal entries to baraat bangers, this is your cue to infuse the vibe. A mix of Bollywood nostalgia and Afro House beats? We say yes.
Sangeet choreography begins.
Whether it’s a family flashmob or a father-daughter slow dance, don’t leave it for the final week.
Plan guest hospitality.
Think welcome hampers, mini itineraries, hangover kits, and local experiences (like a temple visit or spice market walk) for destination weddings.
Month 5: Invitations, Intros & Introspection
Send your wedding invitations.
Digital or physical, this is when the real RSVP race begins. Use Google Forms or other online platforms to manage responses.
Have the talk.
With your partner. About finances, family, future, and boundaries. You’re not just planning a wedding—you’re setting the tone for a marriage.
Book pre-wedding shoot.
It’s the Instagram era. Pick a location that means something to you both—beachside in Goa, rooftop in Jaipur, or even at your favorite bookstore.
Month 6: Final Touches & Fierce Confidence
Fittings & Facials.
Final outfit trials, skincare treatments, and hair color touch-ups happen now. No risky experiments in the last 15 days.
Cross-check vendors & timelines.
Create a wedding week spreadsheet. Include call times, rituals, meals, and rain plans (especially for outdoor dos).
Pre-pack your bridal essentials.
Safety pins, double-sided tape, breath mints, sindoor, and comfy juttis. Your emergency kit is your best friend.
Take a moment.
Book a massage. Go for a walk. Write a letter to your future self. This journey is as important as the destination.
Six months may feel like a short runway for a wedding, but with the right planning, it’s more than enough to curate a beautifully detailed celebration. The key is to prioritize—lock in your venue, planner, and core vendors in the first month, and then build around those pillars. At Resh&Co., we always encourage couples to focus on personalization early on, whether that’s curating custom guest experiences or designing statement décor moments. A good checklist isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about creating space for thoughtful decisions that reflect the couple’s journey, says Reshma Ramaiah, Co-Founder & Director of US Operations at Resh&Co
