How to Plan a Pakistani Wedding
Map Mehndi, Nikah, Baraat, and Walima first.
Then run one guest list, one RSVP flow, and every guest message across all four functions.
By Mia · · Updated
A Pakistani wedding is rarely one day.
It is rarely one guest list.
Write the functions down first.
Everything else hangs off that map.
Map the functions, then work backward
List the events you are actually hosting.
A typical weekend is Mehndi or Mayun, the Baraat with Nikah, and a Walima on the groom's side.
Some families add a Dholki or Qawwali night.
Decide who hosts which night, because that decides who pays and who invites whom.
Lock Baraat and Walima first.
Slot Mehndi around them.
Desi venues book six to twelve months out.
Budget each function, not one lump sum
The shock is never one dinner.
It is three or four stacked together.
For each night, list venue, catering, decor, photo, outfits, dhol, transport, and gifts.
Catering scales with headcount, so the guest list is the budget.
Agree with both families in a shared note.
Keep a ten percent cushion.
Build one guest list, tagged by event
Close family comes to everything.
Cousins may skip the Mehndi and still come to Walima.
Keep one master list.
Tag each person with the functions they are invited to.
Collect names, phones, household size, and family side.
Headcount per event sets venue size and catering.
Send invites. Track RSVPs per function.
Paper cards are still worth sending.
They will not tell you who is actually coming.
Relatives reply on text and WhatsApp.
Track a yes or no per function, not one answer for the weekend.
Someone can skip Mehndi and still come to Walima.
Your caterer needs those numbers separately.
When you are ready to send those invites by text, use wedding guest texting.
Chase stragglers two weeks out.
Aunties will RSVP late.
Build that in.
Collect dietary needs. Seat people per night.
Halal is usually a given.
You will also see Jain, Pure Veg, vegan, and nut allergies.
Record it on the guest, then filter by event for the kitchen.
Mehndi can be loose.
Baraat and Walima want assigned tables.
Sort family politics a week ahead, not on the morning of.
Put the details where guests already look
In the last two weeks your phone becomes a help desk.
What time is Baraat.
Where is Walima.
What is the dress code.
Share one website link.
Better: give each guest their own schedule, table, and venue on their phone.
A guest who can check it themselves is not texting you at midnight.
Let one workspace carry the guest work
Cordially Wed is built for multi-day desi weddings.
Import the list once.
Tag by function.
Track Mehndi versus Baraat versus Walima.
Send RSVP links by SMS or WhatsApp.
See how wedding guest texting works before you pay.
Guest list, RSVPs, website, seating, and wallet passes stay free.
Texting is one payment from $69.
Send yourself a free test at cordiallywed.com/invite.