Short answer: planning a Hindu wedding in Orlando comes down to five things: know which events you're having, book your pundit (pandit), venue and coordinator first, build a timeline for each day, budget for each event separately, and choose a photo and film team that already knows the traditions. This guide walks you through all of it, and links to a deeper article for every step.
I'm Guyanese, and I grew up at these weddings: the tassa drums at the maticoor (matikor), the cooking that goes late into the night, the whole family running on no sleep by the kangan. They're the most beautiful weekends I know. They're also the most work.
Cynthia and I have planned and filmed a lot of them across Central Florida, and almost every family runs into the same few walls. This guide shows you where they are before you get there. Bookmark it. It's the map.
Step 1: Know your events
Most Guyanese, Trini and Indian Hindu weddings in Florida are three or four days, not one.
- The maticoor (matikor): the women's night, with tassa drums and prayers to Mother Earth. What Is a Maticoor?
- Haldi and mehndi: turmeric for the couple, henna for the bride. Maticoor vs Mehndi vs Haldi
- The wedding day: the baraat, the jaimala, the ceremony at the mandap, the vidaai. The Complete Ceremony Timeline
- The reception and the kangan.
Family traditions differ. Read Guyanese Hindu Wedding Traditions and Trini Hindu Wedding Traditions, or the full Guyanese and Trini wedding weekend guide.
Many Guyanese and Trini families also hold a cook night, cooking the seven curry, the dhal and the rice for the wedding, with the music and the tassa going late. Count it as its own event when you plan.
That's a lot of events. Here's the order to lock them in.
Want one team to plan and film your whole weekend? See the Marvelous Experience →
Step 2: Book the big three first
- Your pundit (pandit). Their timing shapes the whole day.
- Your venue or venues. Make sure they allow the havan kund fire.
- Your coordinator. Do You Need a Wedding Coordinator for a Hindu Wedding?
Step 3: Plan each day on its own
One timeline per event, one guest list per event, and one person in charge. How to Plan a 3-Day Hindu Wedding Without the Stress. And remember the 30-minute rule: everything takes longer on a wedding day.
Our lead planner, Cynthia, recommends a pre-meeting with your family, the pundit (pandit) and your coordinator before the maticoor (matikor): "We can iron these things out, so there's an hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute schedule. Of course nothing ever goes 100% as planned, but when the plan is that general, once things start going late it gets even worse." Then build in breathing room for the family.
Can you run all of this yourselves? Cynthia's answer: "You absolutely can. Anybody can plan a wedding. But can you plan a wedding and be the star of the event at the same time?"
Step 4: Line up your vendors
Pundit, tassa group, decor and mandap, caterer for the seven curry, a DJ for chutney and soca, hair and makeup, mehndi, outfits, and photo and film. Use the Guyanese and Trini Hindu Wedding Vendor Checklist.
Family flying in from New York, Canada, Trinidad or Guyana? Read Planning a Florida Hindu Wedding With Family Out of State.
Step 5: Budget per event
A full Orlando wedding usually starts around $35,000, and multi-day weddings cost more because every event has its own food, decor, music and coverage.
- How Much Does a Wedding Cost in Orlando?
- Realistic Budget for a 100-Person Wedding
- Who Pays for the Wedding Gets a Say
Cynthia manages this with her full-planning couples: "If we go over budget on one item, then we have to come down on another. You're not going to be stuck with a massive bill at the end that you weren't anticipating. Nothing's going to slide under the radar." She also tracks every vendor's payment plan, so nobody gets paid late.
Step 6: Choose photo and film that knows the traditions
Your photographer should already know when the baraat is coming, where to stand for the sindoor, and how to handle a 3 to 5 hour ceremony. How to Choose a Hindu Wedding Photographer and Videographer.
Step 7: Protect the bride
This is the step most guides leave out. With this many events and this many opinions, the bride needs one person who is only on her side. Cynthia's advice: "Find a third party, not a family member: somebody you trust, who has your back, shares your vision, and puts your priorities before their own."
Then get ready for the unexpected: pack an emergency bag, keep a right-hand person next to you all weekend, and give every helper a clear job. More in Just Got Engaged? 7 Things to Do First.
What we offer
- The Marvelous Experience: coordination, photo and film from one team, from $10,000, growing with guests and days.
- Cultural weekend photo + film: from $9,500.
- Pre-wedding nights (maticoor, mehndi, haldi, sangeet): photo from $2,000, photo + film from $3,500.
- Planning with Cynthia: full, month-of or day-of, custom to your wedding.
- A free engagement session with every 2027 wedding photo and film booking. How it works.
Common questions
How do I plan a Hindu wedding in Orlando? Decide your events, book your pundit, venue and coordinator first, build a timeline for each day, budget per event, and hire a photo and film team that knows the traditions.
How long does a Hindu wedding in Florida last? Most Guyanese, Trini and Indian Hindu weddings run three or four days, with the ceremony itself taking 3 to 5 hours.
Do we need a coordinator for a Hindu wedding? You can plan it yourselves, but a coordinator keeps the pundit (pandit), the vendors and the schedule on track so the bride and her family can actually enjoy the weekend.
How much does a Hindu wedding cost in Orlando? A full wedding usually starts around $35,000, and more for multi-day weddings, since each event has its own costs.
Who can plan and film a Hindu wedding in Orlando? Marvelous Moments plans, coordinates, photographs and films Guyanese, Trini and Indian Hindu weddings across Orlando and Central Florida.