Shaadi shopping is where most families lose track. One aunt is buying sarees for the trays, someone else is ordering the sehra, and two days before the wedding nobody has the mauli for the pheras. This marriage items list puts everything in one place: the bride’s list, the groom’s list, puja samagri, function-wise items, gifts and, if you’re travelling for the wedding, what to pack.
Use it as your master checklist. Share it with both families so everyone knows who is buying what.
Table of Contents
Marriage Items List: Quick Overview
A complete Indian marriage items list covers 5 groups:
- Bride: outfits for each function, bridal jewellery and solah shringar, footwear, beauty kit
- Groom: sherwani, safa, sehra, kalgi, mojaris and accessories
- Puja samagri: kalash, coconut, rice, roli, mauli, ghee, havan samagri, varmalas, mangalsutra, sindoor
- Function items: for roka, haldi, mehndi, sangeet, wedding, vidaai and reception
- Gifts: shagun trays, milni gifts, return gifts and guest hampers
Start with the bridal outfit and jewellery 8–10 months before the wedding.
- Buy first: the bridal outfit and jewellery, because they can take months to make.
- Gold rule: gold jewellery must carry a BIS hallmark with a 6-digit HUID, mandatory since 1 April 2023.
- Gold prices: gold rose about 74% in 2025, so many families now buy in stages or exchange old gold.
- Average wedding spend: about ₹39.5 lakh, and about ₹58 lakh for a destination wedding
- Puja samagri: varies by community. Always get the final list from your pandit.
- Who buys what: differs by family and region. Agree on it early.
Fix your date before you shop, because it decides the season, fabrics and colours. Check Vivah Muhurat 2025–2026 and Shaadi Muhurat 2027.
Marriage Items List for the Bride
Bridal Outfits by Function
| Function | What to buy |
| Roka / Sagai | Saree, lehenga or anarkali in a soft colour |
| Haldi | Yellow or floral outfit you don’t mind staining |
| Mehndi | Light lehenga or sharara with short sleeves |
| Sangeet | Dance-friendly lehenga, gown or Indo-western outfit |
| Wedding | Bridal lehenga or saree, dupatta, backup blouse |
| Reception | Lighter lehenga, saree or gown |
| After the wedding | 4–6 new suits or sarees for the first days at the in-laws’ home |
Choosing the main outfit? Read our bridal lehenga guide.
Solah Shringar List: The Bride’s 16 Adornments
Solah shringar is the traditional set of 16 bridal adornments. Lists vary by region, but a common version is:
- Bindi
- Sindoor
- Maang tikka (or matha patti)
- Kajal
- Nath (nose ring)
- Karn phool (earrings)
- Haar or mangalsutra (necklace)
- Mehndi
- Chooda or bangles
- Baajuband (armlet)
- Aarsi or ring
- Kamarbandh (waist belt)
- Payal (anklets)
- Bichhiya (toe rings)
- Gajra (flowers in the hair)
- Itra (perfume)
Also add: kaleere (Punjabi weddings), haath phool, passa or jhoomar, nose-ring chain, and a spare set of bangles.
Find your bridal mehndi in our bridal mehndi designs.
Bride’s Footwear and Accessories
- Bridal juttis or heels, plus a comfortable pair for the pheras and dancing
- Clutch or potli bag for each function
- Dupatta pins, safety pins and blouse hooks
- Shapewear, petticoats and the right innerwear for each outfit
- Sunglasses, and a shawl for winter or hill weddings
Bride’s Beauty and Personal Kit
- Skincare you already use (don’t try new products in the last month)
- Lipstick, compact and kajal for touch-ups
- Hair pins, mini hairspray and a comb
- Nail paint that matches the chooda
- Sanitary products, painkillers, antacid and plasters
- Mini sewing kit, stain pen and double-sided tape
Plan your look with our Indian bridal makeup guide.
Marriage Shopping List for the Indian Groom
Groom’s Wedding Outfits
- Wedding sherwani or bandhgala: order 4–6 months ahead to allow fittings
- Haldi and mehndi: kurta-pyjama or kurta sets
- Sangeet: Indo-western or a bandhgala
- Reception: suit or tuxedo
Groom’s Accessories
- Safa or pagdi: match it to the sherwani, and book a safa-tying expert for the day
- Sehra: floral or pearl, worn for the baraat
- Kalgi: turban brooch
- Groom’s mala: pearl or bead necklace
- Stole or dupatta: used in the gathbandhan
- Mojaris or juttis: plus a spare pair
- Buttons, cufflinks and brooch: check they match the sherwani
- Kamarbandh: optional
- Kataar or talwar: in some Rajput, Punjabi and other traditions
- Watch, wallet and perfume
Groom’s Grooming Kit
- Trimmer, face wash, moisturiser and lip balm
- Deodorant, comb and hair product
- Handkerchiefs and tissues
Vivah Puja Samagri List for a Hindu Wedding
This is a common list for a Hindu wedding. Items and quantities vary by tradition, so get the final list from your pandit.
For the Mandap and Havan
- Kalash (copper or brass) with mango leaves
- Coconuts (with husk and dried)
- Havan kund, havan samagri, wood (samidha) and ghee
- Camphor, incense sticks, diyas and cotton wicks
- Matchbox
For the Rituals
- Rice (akshat), roli or kumkum, haldi and chandan
- Mauli (red sacred thread)
- Supari and paan leaves
- Cloves, cardamom and dry fruits
- Honey, curd, milk and sugar for panchamrit
- Coins for offerings
- Sweets
For the Bride and Groom
- Two varmalas (fresh flowers)
- Mangalsutra
- Sindoor
- Bichhiya (toe rings)
- Gathbandhan cloth or dupatta
- Khil or laja (puffed rice) for the pheras
- Flowers and petals
Function-Wise Marriage Items List
Roka and Sagai
- Engagement rings and a ring platter
- Shagun envelopes
- Sweets and dry fruit boxes
- Gifts for both families
Haldi
- Haldi paste or ingredients, and brass bowls
- Marigold flowers and petals
- Old towels and bedsheets
- Floral jewellery
- Yellow or white outfits
Ideas for the setup: haldi decoration.
Mehndi
- Mehndi artist (book early in wedding season)
- Mehndi cones for guests
- Cushions and low seating
- Floral jewellery
- Music playlist
Design ideas: mehndi design ideas.
Sangeet
- Playlist and choreographer
- Props and matching outfits for group dances
- Sound and lights (usually from the venue)
Song picks: Indian wedding songs for every function.
Wedding Day
- Varmalas and mandap décor
- Puja samagri (see above)
- Baraat items: sehra, ghodi or car, band or dhol
- Chooda ceremony items
Vidaai
- Rice and coins for the ritual
- The bride’s bags packed for the in-laws’ home
Reception
- Reception outfits
- Stage décor
- Guest gifts
Gifts and Shagun List
Trousseau and Shagun Trays
- Sarees and suits for close relatives
- Dry fruit and sweet boxes
- Cosmetics and accessory trays for the bride
- Shagun envelopes in several amounts
Gifts Between Families
- Milni gifts: shawls, envelopes, or gold or silver coins
- Gifts for the groom’s parents and siblings
- Gifts for close family members who play a role in the rituals
Guest Gifts and Return Gifts
- Welcome hampers for destination weddings: water, snacks, a printed itinerary and a local souvenir
- Return gifts: sweets, dry fruits, plants or local handicrafts
Wedding Stationery
- Wedding cards and e-invites. See our wedding card design ideas.
- Welcome boards and signage
- Function-wise itineraries for guests
Destination Wedding Packing List
If you’re getting married away from home, split everything into three lists: carry, buy there and ask the venue.
Carry With You
- Every outfit, already altered and steamed, in garment bags
- All jewellery, mangalsutra, sindoor and chooda, in your cabin bag, never in checked luggage
- Beauty kit and medicines
- Shagun envelopes and family gifts
- ID copies for everyone (hotels ask at check-in)
- A portable garment steamer
Buy at the Destination
- Fresh flowers, varmalas and gajra
- Sweets and dry fruits
- Local décor and props
Ask Your Venue First
- Pandit and puja samagri
- Mandap and havan setup
- Sound system for the sangeet
- Ghodi or vintage car for the baraat
Best Wedding Shopping Markets at Popular Destinations
- Jaipur: Johari Bazaar for jewellery, Bapu Bazaar for juttis and textiles. Explore wedding venues in Jaipur.
- Jodhpur: Sardar Market at the Clock Tower for bandhej and handicrafts. Explore wedding venues in Jodhpur.
- Udaipur: Bada Bazaar and Hathi Pol for jewellery and miniature-art gifts. Explore wedding venues in Udaipur.
- Amritsar: Hall Bazaar for phulkari dupattas and Punjabi juttis. Explore wedding venues in Amritsar.
- Delhi: Chandni Chowk for bridal lehengas, Karol Bagh for jewellery. Explore wedding venues in Delhi.
Moving lots of guests? Our wedding guest travel guide lists airport distances and travel times for each destination.
When to Buy What: Shaadi Shopping Timeline
| When | What to buy |
| 8–10 months before | Bridal outfit, bridal jewellery, mangalsutra |
| 6–8 months before | Outfits for other functions, bride’s footwear |
| 4–6 months before | Groom’s sherwani and safa, family outfits, wedding cards |
| 2–3 months before | Accessories, gifts, trousseau trays, return gifts |
| 1 month before | Beauty and personal kit, shagun envelopes |
| 1–2 weeks before | Puja samagri (from the pandit’s list), sweets, dry fruits |
| Day before | Fresh flowers, varmalas, gajra |
For the full wedding timeline, not just shopping, use our wedding checklist for brides.
Smart Shaadi Shopping Tips
- Check the hallmark. Every gold piece should show the BIS logo, purity grade and a 6-digit HUID. Verify the HUID in the BIS CARE app, which shows the jeweller, purity and item type.
- Buy gold in stages. After gold’s roughly 74% rise in 2025, many families spread purchases over a few months or exchange old jewellery.
- Rent for one-time looks. Rent the sangeet or reception outfit, or the groom’s safa and accessories.
- Agree on who buys what. Keep one shared list for both families, so you don’t end up with two mangalsutras and no mauli.
- Keep 10% of the shopping budget spare for alterations, extra gifts and replacements.
- Do a full trial with outfits, jewellery and footwear two weeks before the wedding.
Conclusion
A complete marriage items list makes shaadi shopping calmer. Buy the big pieces first: the bridal outfit, the jewellery and the sherwani. Leave puja samagri, sweets and flowers for the last two weeks. Share one list between both families so nothing is bought twice or forgotten.
If you’re planning a destination wedding, the right venue can take care of the pandit, mandap, flowers and décor, so you only pack what matters. For the bigger picture, read our guide on how to plan a destination wedding in India.
Or connect with us directly:
Email: info@destinationweddingsindia.com
Phone: +91-9220900868 | +91-8368631058
FAQs: Marriage Items List
What items are needed for a marriage in India?
A typical Indian marriage needs five groups of items: the bride’s outfits and jewellery, the groom’s outfits and accessories, puja samagri for the ceremony, items for each function (roka, haldi, mehndi, sangeet, wedding and vidaai), and gifts such as shagun trays and return gifts. Exact items vary by community, so confirm the puja list with your pandit.
What is included in solah shringar for a bride?
Solah shringar is the bride’s traditional 16 adornments. A common list is bindi, sindoor, maang tikka, kajal, nath, earrings, necklace or mangalsutra, mehndi, bangles or chooda, baajuband, ring, kamarbandh, payal, bichhiya, gajra and itra (perfume). Lists vary by region.
What should the groom buy for the wedding?
The groom usually needs a sherwani or bandhgala for the wedding, outfits for the other functions, a safa or pagdi, a sehra, a kalgi, mojaris or juttis, a stole or dupatta, a groom’s mala, buttons or cufflinks, a watch and a grooming kit. Some communities also include a kataar or talwar.
Which puja items are needed for a Hindu marriage?
Common vivah puja samagri includes a kalash, coconuts, mango leaves, rice, roli or kumkum, haldi, mauli, supari, paan leaves, ghee, camphor, incense, havan samagri and wood, diyas, flowers, two varmalas, the mangalsutra, sindoor and sweets. Your pandit will give the final list, which varies by tradition.
When should you start wedding shopping?
Start 8–10 months before the wedding with the bridal outfit and jewellery, which can take months to make. Buy the groom’s outfits 4–6 months ahead, accessories and gifts 2–3 months ahead, and puja samagri and beauty items in the last month.
How do I check if wedding gold jewellery is genuine?
In India, gold jewellery must carry a BIS hallmark with a 6-digit HUID code, mandatory since 1 April 2023. Check the code in the BIS CARE app, which shows the jeweller, the purity and the type of item. If the purity is lower than marked, you are entitled to compensation of twice the shortfall plus testing charges.
Who buys what at an Indian wedding, the bride’s or the groom’s family?
It depends on the community and the two families. Commonly, the groom’s family gives the mangalsutra and some bridal jewellery or outfits, and the bride’s family covers her trousseau and gifts for the groom’s family. Agree on it early to avoid buying the same things twice.
What should you pack for a destination wedding in India?
Pack every outfit, all jewellery, the mangalsutra and sindoor, and carry jewellery in your cabin bag, not checked luggage. Many destination venues can arrange flowers, a pandit and puja samagri locally, so confirm with your venue before carrying those.
About the Author
Destination Weddings India
Destination Weddings India (DWI) is a destination wedding venue booking platform, founded in 2021. We help couples discover, compare, shortlist and book wedding venues across India, including palaces and heritage hotels in Rajasthan, beach resorts in Goa and forest and hill retreats in Jim Corbett, Rishikesh and the Himalayas. We also cover six international destinations: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Bahrain, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Our team works with couples and families on venue selection, wedding dates, guest travel and budgets. Our guides draw on that day-to-day work. This guide was researched and written by the DWI editorial team and last updated on 22 October 2026.
Offices: Faridabad (Haryana) and Jaipur (Rajasthan)
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