u/FullmetalBro95

Hi everyone — my partner and I are planning a small Indian wedding in Chicago this fall and would love advice/recommendations from anyone who has planned a Indian wedding here recently!

Details:

• Guest count: ~30–50 people
• Budget goal: ideally under $30k
• Events: Mehendi, Shaadi/Wedding Ceremony, Reception
• Looking for something elegant/intimate, not super extravagant

We’re currently looking for recommendations + realistic pricing for:

• Affordable venues for small Indian weddings
  • restaurants, boutique hotels, banquet halls, lofts, temples, rooftops, community spaces, suburbs, etc.
• Venues that already look beautiful and need minimal decor
• Any all-inclusive venues worth considering
• Decorators/florists familiar with Indian weddings
  • mandap, stage decor, sweetheart table, centerpieces, mehendi setup
• Indian bridal makeup/hair artists
• Indian wedding photographers/videographers
• DJs/music recommendations
• Indian caterers or restaurants that cater small weddings well

Would especially love insights on:

• Approx pricing ranges + hidden fees
• Biggest unexpected wedding expenses
• Things you wish you knew earlier
• Whether Friday/Sunday weddings are significantly cheaper
• Whether hosting some events at home actually saves money
• Final guest count + total budget if you recently planned a wedding here

Any vendor recommendations, sample budgets, spreadsheets, or lessons learned would be hugely appreciated.

Thank you so much!

Hi everyone — my partner and I are planning a small Indian wedding in Chicago this fall and would love advice/recommendations from anyone who has planned a Indian wedding here recently!

Details:

• Guest count: ~30–50 people
• Budget goal: ideally under $30k
• Events: Mehendi, Shaadi/Wedding Ceremony, Reception
• Looking for something elegant/intimate, not super extravagant

We’re currently looking for recommendations + realistic pricing for:

• Affordable venues for small Indian weddings
  • restaurants, boutique hotels, banquet halls, lofts, temples, rooftops, community spaces, suburbs, etc.
• Venues that already look beautiful and need minimal decor
• Any all-inclusive venues worth considering
• Decorators/florists familiar with Indian weddings
  • mandap, stage decor, sweetheart table, centerpieces, mehendi setup
• Indian bridal makeup/hair artists
• Indian wedding photographers/videographers
• DJs/music recommendations
• Indian caterers or restaurants that cater small weddings well

Would especially love insights on:

• Approx pricing ranges + hidden fees
• Biggest unexpected wedding expenses
• Things you wish you knew earlier
• Whether Friday/Sunday weddings are significantly cheaper
• Whether hosting some events at home actually saves money
• Final guest count + total budget if you recently planned a wedding here

Any vendor recommendations, sample budgets, spreadsheets, or lessons learned would be hugely appreciated.

Thank you so much!

Hello Everyone,

I am planning to get married in 2026, sometime in fall. The main functions I am considering are haldi, sangeet and the actual shaadi.

I also would like to keep the budget in $30k. Can anyone provide recommendations for venues along with a cost estimate?