Sangeet Budget Guide & Cost Calculator for South Asian Weddings
The Sangeet (literally “music”) is the high‑energy kickoff to a South Asian wedding—an evening of choreographed dances, live music, and non‑stop celebration that usually takes place the night before the main ceremony. Because it includes nearly every invited guest, it can become one of the priciest events in a multi‑day wedding. This guide breaks down real U.S. cost ranges, major line items, and practical ways to keep the party spectacular and on‑budget.
How Much Does a Sangeet Cost in the U.S.?
For a 300‑guest Sangeet at a four‑ or five‑star hotel, couples typically spend $59,000 – $65,000—about $200 – $220 per guest.1 Variables such as city, season, head‑count, and level of entertainment (DJ vs. live band vs. celebrity appearance) can push numbers higher, while DIY or off‑peak choices can trim thousands.
Typical Cost Breakdown
- Venue, Food & Beverage (≈ 40%) — Banquet hall rental, catering, bar packages, service fees.
- Entertainment & Lighting (≈ 38%) — DJ or live band, dhol players, professional sound, dance‑floor lighting, LED wall.
- Décor (≈ 10%) — Stage backdrop, floral accents, lounge seating, uplights, custom props.
- Fashion & Styling (≈ 8%) — Couple’s outfits plus immediate family ensembles.
- Photo / Video (≈ 6%) — Candid coverage, highlight reel, post‑production edits.
6‑Month Planning Timeline
- 6 mo+ — Lock in venue and DJ/band; set preliminary budget.
- 5 mo — Draft guest list, confirm catering style, hire décor designer.
- 4 mo — Book photographer, start choreography rehearsals.
- 3 mo — Finalize menu, lighting plot, and outfit designs.
- 2 mo — Send digital invites; schedule dress fittings.
- 1 mo — Run technical walk‑through; reconfirm vendor payments.
- 1 wk — Full rehearsal with emcee, performers, and AV team.
Expert Money-Saving Tips
Choose a banquet hall with built‑in AV to avoid extra sound and light rentals.
Crowdsource dhols and dance props from friends instead of buying new.
Serve themed food stations in place of plated dinners to control portions.
Book emerging local performers or college bhangra teams for entertainment.
Use a digital LED backdrop that can be reused across events.
Reuse haldi floral arrangements as sangeet stage accents.
Key Factors That Impact Your Event Cost
Event Type
From intimate mehndi ceremonies to grand wedding receptions, each event type has unique requirements that significantly impact your budget.
Guest Count
Guest count is the biggest budget driver. South Asian events typically host 200-800 guests, with costs scaling exponentially.
Location
Major metropolitan areas command premium pricing. Venue costs can range from $50-$300+ per person depending on location and luxury level.
Budget Style
From elegant simplicity to luxury extravagance, your style preferences determine vendor selection and overall investment level.
How to Use the Budget Calculator
Planning your budget with our tool is easy and customizable. Here's how you can get the most out of the South Asian Wedding Budget Calculator:
1Select the Event Type
Choose which event you're budgeting for – Wedding, Reception, Mehndi, Sangeet, Engagement, or any Other event. If you are doing multiple events, you can run the calculator separately for each to get individual budgets.
2Enter Your Guest Count
Pick the approximate number of guests for that event (e.g. 50, 200, 500+). Remember, the guest count is the biggest factor in your budget – more guests mean higher venue and catering costs, so try to estimate this as accurately as possible.
3Select Location Type
Indicate whether you're planning the event in a major city, a suburban area, or a rural/small town setting. This matters because prices vary by region – for instance, big-city venues and vendors tend to charge more than those in smaller towns. Our calculator adjusts cost estimates based on location (for example, a venue in a major metro could be ~50% more expensive than the same in a small town).
4Choose Your Budget Level
Decide if you're aiming for a Budget-Friendly, Mid-Range, or Luxury wedding event. This setting will scale the estimates up or down. For example, a luxury Indian wedding can easily cost double what a modest budget wedding would, so this toggle helps tailor the planner to your financial comfort.
Luxury: Assumes top-tier vendors and extravagant options (premium catering, elaborate décor)
Budget-Friendly: Leans toward cost-saving choices and practical alternatives
5Review the Breakdown
Once you've entered the above details, the calculator will display an estimated cost breakdown by category (venues, catering, decor, entertainment, etc.) for that event. You'll see how much each aspect typically consumes from the total budget, based on real-world data and our internal formulas.
6Adjust and Personalize
Every wedding is unique, so you can adjust the categories as needed. Maybe you don't need a particular item – e.g., Invitations might not be necessary for a Sangeet-only gathering, or you already have a family member covering photography.
You can usually add or remove certain categories in the planner to match your plans. The estimate will update accordingly.
7Plan with Confidence
Use these numbers as a starting point for your planning. While actual prices will vary by specific vendor and city, the budget estimator gives you a realistic ballpark. It's designed to prevent sticker shock by showing what is typical for South Asian wedding events of your size.
Armed with this information, you can negotiate with vendors and allocate funds wisely (for instance, knowing that catering often takes up a large chunk, you might decide to limit your menu or drink options to stay on budget).
Ready to Get Started?
Use the calculator belowon the right to get your personalized budget estimate now!
Why South Asian Event Budgeting is Different
South Asian celebrations are rich in tradition, spanning multiple days with various ceremonies, elaborate decorations, and extensive guest lists. Unlike Western events, these celebrations require careful planning across multiple functions, each with unique requirements and costs.
💡 Pro Tip: The average South Asian wedding involves 3-7 separate events, with costs varying dramatically based on location, guest count, and cultural traditions.
Explore Other Event Budget Guides
Get detailed budgeting insights for different types of South Asian celebrations
Prices cited in this guide are illustrative averages based on 2024-2025 U.S. market data. Actual costs will vary widely by location, guest count, season, vendor availability, and your personal preferences. Always request itemized quotes and adjust your budget to match your priorities.
