How to Plan a Destination Wedding in India Without Losing the Plot

Most couples begin with a venue. We would suggest beginning with a guest list and a season, because those two numbers quietly decide everything else — including which venues are honestly available to you.

Once the count and the month are settled, build a budget architecture before falling in love with anything. Divide the total into hospitality, design, food and beverage, entertainment, production and contingency. A ten per cent contingency is not pessimism; it is what lets you say yes to a good idea in month eight.

Only then should you shortlist properties. Visit at the same time of day your ceremony will happen. Light behaves differently at eleven in the morning than it does in a photograph taken at five.

Finally, appoint your planner before your vendors. A planner appointed after three contracts are signed inherits someone else's decisions, and the compromises show.