Because Uncle’s Cousin’s Friend Is Not a Wedding Planner
So you’re engaged! Cue the group chats, Pinterest spirals, and unsolicited advice. But amid the chaos, one thing matters most: your vendors. They are the dream team that will either make your wedding shine brighter than a Bollywood finale… or make you wish you’d eloped in secret.
Here’s how to make sure you’re hiring the right vendors for your big, fat South Asian wedding — especially when your celebration involves turmeric, tikkas, and tearful aunties.
The Big Vendor Categories
You’ll likely need:
- Venue
- Photographer/Videographer
- Caterer
- Makeup Artist
- Decorator
- DJ/Entertainment
- Mehndi Artist
- Clothing/Jewelry designers or tailors
- Pandit/Maulvi/Granthi/Officiant
- Coordinator or Planner (if you’re sane)
Now for the real deal: questions to ask.
Questions You Must Ask
1. “Have you worked South Asian weddings before?”
If they say no, run. If they say yes, ask which cultures — Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Tamil, Bengali? Every wedding is different. A vendor who knows how to handle a baraat and understands why your mom needs 47 chai options is gold.
2. “Can you handle multi-day events?”
South Asian weddings aren’t one-and-done. They’re marathons. Your vendor should know how to pace themselves — and keep the energy high from mehndi to vidai.
3. “Are you familiar with the rituals involved?”
There are a lot of rituals. A good photographer will know when the sindoor moment is coming. A good decorator will understand why the mandap has to face east. A great vendor will be five steps ahead of your mother-in-law.
4. “Do you have references?”
Always check them. Bonus points if they’ve worked with your community before (e.g., Tamil Muslim, Punjabi Sikh, Bengali Hindu, etc.).
5. “How do you handle family input?”
South Asian families = lots of “input.” You want vendors who can gracefully juggle aunties without losing their cool.
Pro Tip: Use Arju
Arju is built specifically for South Asian weddings. It’s like Shaadi.com… but for vendors. Whether you’re looking for a mehndi artist who can draw your dog’s face or a caterer who knows what “mild spicy” really means, Arju connects you to pros who get it.
TL;DR
- Ask the right cultural questions
- Prioritize experience with South Asian traditions
- Use Arju to save time, stress, and family drama
💍 Your dream team awaits.