The ultimate Pakistani wedding checklist: Your 3-month countdown

Planning a wedding is an experience that only the one going through it, or who has gone through it, can understand. Asking a bride to calm down is only going to make things worse. The best you can do is just be there for her. Whether you are a sister, a friend, or the bride herself, I will be making your planning much easier by providing you with the ultimate checklist necessary for any Pakistani wedding.

Let’s consider you have three months to plan your wedding. There is so much to do, but you need to calm down because stressing out won’t help with anything. At this time, the main engagement or Nikah ceremony has taken place, and you have a little idea of what to expect at a function. First things first, here’s the list of things to cover that are absolutely necessary for the main events.

3 Months Before the Wedding

Only three months left! The time goes by faster than normal, and you have no idea where to start. Start with making a list.

1. Budgeting:
   The most important thing to do before any planning is to budget your expenses. Plan out how much money should be set aside for the events, and never go out of the planned budget. Budget for food, venue, gold, clothes, décor, gifts, and a lot more, which we will cover one by one.
2. Decide the Venue:
   It could be a destination wedding to Thailand or Turkey, or to the northern areas of Pakistan, or it could be a cute ceremony at your nearest location that has a garden view under the night sky. The stars are gleaming, and it’s just perfect—just what you imagined. This depends entirely on what you have planned.
3. Décor:
   Once the venue is decided, look for the décor you want. Go through Pinterest or Instagram for inspiration. There are so many event decorators available in the market. Do a little research on Instagram and select one who is within your budget and who can give you the wedding décor you want. Always listen to the decorator because they have a lot of experience, but make sure they see what you want as well. Collaborate together because they want what’s best for their clients (hopefully).
4. Bridal Dresses:
   As a Pakistani bride, you have to think about not just one dress, but almost four or five dresses for different events, plus party wear and heavy formal wear for after the wedding, and casual wear for when you don’t feel like playing dress-up. So, three months to the wedding, go order your bridal dress, as this is the minimum time you will need. Most designers require at least six months for advance bookings, but sometimes you don’t have time.First, go and place your order for your bridal dress. Then eventually search around and order other party wear and heavy formal wear three to two months before the wedding. Make sure your dresses are home a week before the wedding festivities to avoid stress during the big day. Once the dresses are home, wear them to check the fittings are according to your liking.

5. Book Your Makeup Artist:
   Again, book this as soon as possible because in Pakistan, makeup charges are increasing every month. There are many options available on Instagram, from light fresh glowing looks to traditional regal bridal makeup to heavy bridal makeup looks. This depends again on your preferences. There are excellent options available starting from 30,000 PKR to 350,000 PKR. Decide what you’re looking for and what fits your budget.
6. Order the Jewellery:
   Now, there is a lot to do: this could be polki, diamonds, or gold jewelry. It should match the dress you plan to wear. Personally, I like gold with red because it’s traditional, but you do you. Rings should be bought now.
7. Photographer:
   Again, prices are increasing, so book as soon as your dates are fixed. This is similar to bridal makeup. Most importantly, this is the only proof you will have after the wedding is over. The pictures are the most important part of a wedding and often overlooked in the planning process. They capture the memories of the big day. Discuss plans for the bridal photoshoot on the wedding day, especially the location for the shoot and the makeup bookings early on the day so that the photoshoot can be adjusted too.
8. Henna Artist:
   I know people think this isn’t an important aspect to consider, but many brides are very into pretty, delicate henna designs, and makeup artists often don’t provide this service. I suggest booking a professional henna artist within your budget and getting your henna done with organic henna two days before your wedding festivities begin. Organic henna gradually gets darker.
   

2 Months to the Wedding

Go on shopping sprees with your friends, spend time with your family, and keep checking on your dresses while staying in constant contact with your decorators and designers.

1. Furniture/Gifts:
   If you are planning on getting furniture and other household items, now is the time to order them. You can buy readymade, but I suggest going around this time so that it is taken care of before the wedding festivities begin. You can ask the furniture designers to keep the furniture in the store until it’s ready to be shipped to your address. Buy all other gifts necessary, especially for the groom-to-be, and get them gift-wrapped beautifully a week before the wedding.
2. Wedding Guest Lists and Invitations:
   At this time, consider making the final list for guests to be invited. The cards should be sent out a minimum of four weeks in advance. However, in our digital age, virtual cards are a big hit. Instead of sending physical cards that may go to waste, consider sending virtual invitations, especially to those coming from other cities. Print minimal cards and frame one for decoration at home; spending a hefty amount on printed cards can be a waste of energy and money.
3. Skin Treatments and Personal Care:
   Now is the time for the bride to relax. Go for a spa day by yourself or ask a friend or family member to join in on the fun. Book full-body massages every week leading up to the wedding. Schedule facials and mani-pedi sessions at least twice before the wedding, but remember: never try something new on your face or body at least two weeks before the wedding. Do what suits your skin.Consider hair treatments like keratin and gloss treatments to make your hair look gorgeous and glossy. This is crucial, and many brides neglect this step. Makeup looks best when the skin underneath is healthy. Also consider your food intake: increase fruits and veggies and avoid fatty stuff; keep that for the weekends.

4. Bridal Fittings:
   Go for bridal fittings. You may be losing or gaining weight, so you need to stay in touch with your dress designer. Check the fit from the arms to the waist and the length; make sure it’s what you wanted. Listen to the designer but also provide your input.
5. Gym:
   Two months before the wedding, most things have been covered. Now think about joining a gym. It’s not necessary for losing or gaining weight; it’s for staying healthy and toned so you feel your best on your wedding day. Light cardio and strength training are perfect for brides. Don’t go overboard; you might hurt your back or knees.
6. Dance or Dholki Practices:
   With two months to the wedding, everyone is busy with their lives, so plan for the weekends in advance and inform your friends that they need to be there for you. Schedule dance practices if you’re into that, or have dholki practices with photocopied song lyrics for everyone to memorize so you can have a blast at the mehndi function with everyone synchronized. Create an album of songs to be played at the wedding. Decide your main entrance songs too.
7. Venue, Food, and Décor:
   Finalize the food and décor. Make sure everything you want is prioritized. The mehndi thals are there, the flowers are there, the floral décor, the colors are according to your liking, and the stage setting. At this time, you should have an idea of how it’s going to look. Decide the menu with your family for all the functions. Finalize every booking and order two months into the wedding.

1 Month to the Wedding

1. Shopping Miscellaneous:
   Now is the time to go on random shopping sprees with your close friends and family. This is when you buy shoes, loungewear, comfy clothes, toiletries, and every little thing that you need. The most important pairs of shoes you should have are a gold heel for the main wedding day, brown flats or loafers, and black and silver heels that go with everything. This is the time to order your floral jewelry if you are deciding to wear one. Order sweets/chocolates to be used on the main days and check the décor for the days and floral jewelry if you are going that route.
2. Appointments:
   Two weeks before the wedding, book your dental appointment to get your teeth cleaned and whitened for the photos to look nice. Go for nail appointments if you are planning on getting your nails done before the wedding, and if you want hair treatments, now is the time to do that too.
3. Plan Your Honeymoon:
   Talk to your husband and plan your honeymoon for two to three weeks after the wedding. As a Pakistani, there are a lot of gatherings in honor of the bride and groom celebrated by family, so it’s important to attend those. Considering that, book your flights after the gatherings.

Everything important for the wedding has been taken care of. Now it’s time to spend with your family. Your family is be visiting from all over the world, so have girls’ nights, dance and dholki practices, and enjoy food, sleepovers, and movie nights. Schedule weekly spa days. Trust me, you will cherish these moments more than the actual wedding day. When the big day arrives, embrace the overwhelming feelings. If things go sideways, don’t panic—just go with the flow and enjoy your wedding!!