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Ask before you pay the deposit.
A practical Punjabi-Sikh wedding checklist for comparing what is actually included, finding hidden costs and negotiating the terms that matter.
Photography & videography
Questions to ask
- Is this the final price, and exactly what is included?
- Can we customise coverage across several events?
- Are high-resolution and raw files included?
- What are the travel, accommodation and overtime rates?
- Who will actually shoot each event, and is a backup team guaranteed?
- When will previews, films, albums and full galleries be delivered?
What to negotiate
- Combined multi-event package
- Extra coverage hours
- Second shooter or filmmaker
- Albums and raw files
- Travel and accommodation
- Delivery deadlines
Watch for: Check cancellation, replacement-photographer, copyright and archive-retention clauses before paying the deposit.
Venue & catering
Questions to ask
- What is included in the per-person price?
- Are VAT, service, corkage and staffing included?
- Can we bring our own decorator, DJ, caterer or alcohol?
- When is the final guest guarantee due?
- Are kitchen, cleaning, security and furniture charged separately?
- What is the backup plan for weather, power or delayed access?
What to negotiate
- Price per person
- Minimum guest guarantee
- Service charge and corkage
- External-vendor flexibility
- Complimentary supplier meals
- Payment schedule and cancellation terms
Watch for: Ask for every compulsory fee in one written total; vague ‘from’ prices often exclude staffing, cleaning or VAT.
Décor & florals
Questions to ask
- Can we see an itemised design and cost breakdown?
- Which flowers are fresh, artificial or hired?
- Can structures and florals be repurposed between events?
- Are delivery, setup, room turnaround and dismantling included?
- What substitutions can be made without approval?
- Who handles venue permissions and damage deposits?
What to negotiate
- Overall design cost
- Seasonal flower substitutions
- Repurposing across events
- Props and upgrades
- Setup and dismantling
- Final design sign-off date
Watch for: Put colours, quantities, dimensions and reference photos into the contract—not just ‘as discussed’ or a moodboard link.
Hair & makeup
Questions to ask
- Is a trial included and can it be credited to the booking?
- Who is included, and how long is allowed per person?
- Are lashes, extensions, draping and jewellery placement included?
- Are touch-ups or a second look included?
- What are the early-start, travel and assistant charges?
- What happens if the named artist is unavailable?
What to negotiate
- Multi-event package
- Number of family members
- Trial fee
- Assistant and early-start fees
- Touch-ups and second looks
- Travel
Watch for: Build a written getting-ready schedule. A low package price is poor value if timing forces extra assistants on the day.
DJ, band, dhol & entertainment
Questions to ask
- How many performance and setup hours are included?
- Is sound, lighting, staging and an engineer included?
- What power, space and meal requirements do you have?
- Can we provide must-play and do-not-play lists?
- What is the overtime rate and who can authorise it?
- Is backup equipment and performer cover guaranteed?
What to negotiate
- Performance hours
- Overtime cap
- Sound and lighting bundle
- Special song requests
- Travel and setup
- Multi-event booking
Watch for: Confirm noise curfews and venue equipment limits before booking a package that cannot be used in full.
Invitations, gifts & favours
Questions to ask
- What quantity unlocks each price tier?
- How many design revisions and proofs are included?
- Is a physical sample credited to the order?
- Are assembly, envelopes, packing and delivery included?
- Can delivery be split into batches?
- What is the reprint policy for supplier errors?
What to negotiate
- Price per piece
- Bulk discount
- Customisation and revisions
- Sample cost
- Assembly and delivery
- Spare quantity
Watch for: Approve names, Gurmukhi, dates and venue details from a final proof. Verbal corrections do not protect you from reprint costs.
Gurdwara, Granthi, raagis & langar
Questions to ask
- Which costs are fixed fees and which are suggested donations or seva?
- What time must each family and supplier arrive?
- Which Granthi Singh, raagi jatha and paathis are included?
- What are the rules for photography, flowers, outfits and the ceremony schedule?
- Who provides rumalle, karah parshad and langar?
- Are cleaning, hall hire and extra rooms included?
What to negotiate
- Usually clarify rather than bargain: donation expectations
- Hall and langar package
- Timing and access
- Additional rooms
- Supplier meals
- Payment and seva responsibilities
Watch for: Approach donations and seva respectfully. The value is a clear written understanding of responsibilities, not aggressive bargaining.
Halwai & mithai
Questions to ask
- Is pricing per kilogram, tray, piece or finished box?
- Can we taste the exact recipe before confirming?
- What is the shelf life and storage guidance?
- Are boxes, labels, ribbons and packing included?
- When will production happen and how is freshness protected?
- Are delivery, setup and leftover containers included?
What to negotiate
- Bulk rate
- Tasting credit
- Box and packaging
- Mixed selections
- Delivery
- Replacement for damaged boxes
Watch for: Compare finished-box cost and piece count, not only the per-kilo headline price.
Palki, doli, ghodi & baraat transport
Questions to ask
- How long is the hire window and when does overtime begin?
- Are handlers, decoration, transport and permits included?
- What welfare and weather limits apply to the horse?
- Is there a backup vehicle or replacement if unavailable?
- Who coordinates arrival with the venue and dhol team?
- What deposit covers damage or delay?
What to negotiate
- Hire duration
- Decoration package
- Travel and waiting time
- Handler charges
- Backup option
- Multi-service bundle
Watch for: Never compromise animal welfare or safety for price. Confirm licensed handlers, suitable surfaces and a weather fallback.
Pandal, tent, cooling & generator
Questions to ask
- Is the quote based on area, guest count or item quantities?
- Are flooring, sidewalls, fans, cooling, lighting and furniture included?
- What generator capacity and fuel hours are provided?
- Is an electrician or standby operator present?
- Who handles permits, rainwater, fire exits and site restoration?
- What is the weather cancellation or reinforcement plan?
What to negotiate
- Complete equipment bundle
- Fuel and standby hours
- Setup and removal
- Weather reinforcement
- Extra-day rate
- Operator and emergency callout
Watch for: Request a load plan for catering, lighting, music and cooling. An undersized generator is not a saving.
Keep every answer beside the quote
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