If you’re curious about who pays for Indian wedding, it is traditionally shared by the couples and their parents. We will discuss the expectations of a Hindu wedding in more detail below.
You’ll also find out how the financial wedding needs of an Indian wedding are handled if the Indian couple is in the US. And as for wedding guests, read what to wear to an Indian wedding to ensure you’re being respectful.
Who Pays For Indian Wedding And How Much?
The cost of an Indian wedding is traditionally paid for by the bride and groom and their parents. The amount is shared equally compared to the common notion that only the bride’s parents pay for the wedding in other cultures.
The amount usually needed for marriage in India is ⅕ of the total wealth saved by the person getting married. And for a grand Indian wedding, the average costs range between 20 lakh to 2 crores.
Weddings are also seen as a symbol of the couple’s socioeconomic status in India, where a middle-class Indian wedding costs between 20 to 30 lakhs INR. On the other hand, a small Indian wedding typically ranges between 7 to 10 lakhs INR.
Do Indian Parents Pay For Wedding?
Indian parents help with paying for their children’s weddings. However, the cost is usually split between the couple and their parents equally.
This is also why Indian weddings are viewed as the status symbol of the families getting married. So an upper-class family is expected to be paying more than a family of a lower class.
If one side of the couple has more wedding guests and events, the costs might also be adjusted. They would have a higher share of the total wedding expenses than the other.
Who Pays The Bride Price In Indian Marriage?
Some Indian tribes and non-tribal communities practice a tradition before marriage called the bride price. North-eastern tribes value the payment of the bride price by the groom’s family before marriage can continue.
Note that the bride price is different from the dowry, but both are marriage payments. So who pays for the dowry?
The dowry comes from the bride’s family, and they’ll give it to the groom’s family. On the other hand, the bride price is given by the groom’s family to the bride’s family.
It is a token in the form of money, but it can also be gifts or valuables to symbolize the relations between the two families once the bride and groom underwent the marriage union. The bride price also serves as a symbol of status; some view it as a way to attract a better-quality bride.
How Much Does A Wedding Cost Indian?
The price for a typical Indian wedding depends on the elements. For example, an Indian wedding venue starts at INR 10 lakhs, while the budget for catering starts at Rs 1 lakh.
You may also spend Rs 50,000 for your wedding photographer at an Indian wedding and the wedding outfits at the same rate. And for the other Indian wedding roles like the musicians or even the ceremony priests, consider a budget of INR 2 to 4 lakhs.
Besides knowing who pays for a Hindu wedding, you can also read about what is a Desi wedding. It’s another interesting wedding with various traditions and expectations.
How Much Do Indian Weddings Cost In The USA?
If the Indian wedding is in the US, the couple and their family usually split the cost of $65,000. However, this average cost depends on many factors, and some grand weddings even reach up to $1,000,000.
The expenses for a Hindu wedding are affected by the wedding venue, outfits of the bride and groom, catering, decor, photography, entertainment, transportation, and of course, the number of guests and the type of the ceremony. Remember that an Indian wedding can last up to three days.
Who Pays For Indian Weddings In The USA?
For Indian families in the US, the wedding is paid by the couple and their families at 50/50. But of course, every family is different, so one side can pay a higher share, or the couple might pay for their entire wedding.
How Do I Plan An Indian Wedding In The US?
- Decide on the number of guests to have according to your budget
- Choose a venue that fits your budget or consider a destination wedding in India
- Keep in mind that an Indian wedding usually lasts for three days, so understand the events you’ll need to have if you’re having a traditional Hindu wedding
- Understand the expectations with the bridal and groom attire to ensure that you are respecting the culture
- Be aware of the usual menu in an Indian wedding
- In US weddings, the groom and his side usually pay for the accommodation and transportation of guests, groom’s clothes and procession needs, and honeymoon; the bride and her side, on the other hand, usually pay for the majority of the wedding expenses
Conclusion
And that’s it! You just learned who pays for Indian wedding, where the costs are split between the couple and their families.
If the couple is in the US, they may also expect that the bride’s family pays for most of the wedding expenses. But, overall, every family is different, so discussing this with your family and partner is best.