a practical, city-wise 2025 guide to arranging a Pakistani wedding—covering clothes, jewellery, halls, food, decorators, photo/video, makeup, music, and a realistic cost snapshot.

Your 2025 Pakistan Wedding Playbook

At-a-glance budget ranges (typical, per event unless noted)

• Hall + catering (per head): PKR 1,700–3,500+ depending on city/venue, menu and season. Example: Lahore hotel banquets advertise menus from PKR 2,599/head; Karachi caterers list ~PKR 1,500–2,300+/head. Nishat Hotelsshadiyana.pkInstagram

• Bridal makeup: PKR 30,000–130,000+ depending on artist/brand and city. (Signature bridal at top salons can cross 100k; mid-tier deals are lower.) nabila.netInstagramHiba Creations

• Photo + video: PKR 50,000–200,000+ per day based on team/album/teaser deliverables. (Published packages commonly span PKR 30k–190k+.) dclassyclicks.comshadiyana.pk

• Stage + décor: PKR 100,000–600,000+ (scale, florals, LEDs, walkway, entry arches).

• Music (dhol/Qawwali/DJ): PKR 20,000–250,000+ (crew size and name recognition). Instagram

• Gold jewellery (market-linked): budget by weight; check day-of rates (e.g., Aug 23, 2025 updates) and then add making charges and stones. Profit by Pakistan TodayThe Express Tribune

Tip: Lock venue/menu first (biggest line item), then anchor other vendors around your date and location.

Clothes & Jewellery

Bridal & family outfits

• Designer couture (made-to-measure): couture ateliers (e.g., HSY, Faiza Saqlain) offer bespoke bridals; lead times 6–16 weeks. Expect premium pricing; book trials early. The World of HSYFaiza Saqlain

• Off-the-rack & semi-formal: multi-brand stores and reputable online portals carry lehengas, mehndi wear, and men’s sherwanis at wider price bands. PakStyle

Jewellery

• Gold sets: price fluctuates daily; follow Sarafa market rates and negotiate making charges. Check rates close to purchase (e.g., 22–24k). Profit by Pakistan TodayThe Express Tribune

• Polki/Kundan/zircon: define gemstone authenticity (natural vs. lab), hallmarking, and return/repair policies in writing.

Wedding Halls, Food & Decor — by city

Karachi

• Catering price points: Curated lists show quality caterers starting ~PKR 1,500/head; promotional posts from leading caterers advertise ~PKR 2,300/head for standard menus. shadiyana.pkInstagram

• Popular types of venues: marquees in DHA, hotel ballrooms, club lawns (e.g., sea-adjacent properties for valimas). Shortlist 3 options and compare capacity, parking, backup gensets, and in-house sound restrictions.

• Decorators: Ask for all-in quotes (stage, centrepieces, entrance, dance floor, walkthrough, lighting) and a rehearsal for LED content transitions.

Lahore

• Banquets & hotel packages: Hotels/banquets (e.g., Nishat) publicly list menus from PKR 2,599/head, sometimes bundling hall discounts and extras (cake, room night). Venue directories show wide per-head starting points ~PKR 1,300–3,000 across the city depending on hall tier. Nishat Hotelsvenuehub.pk

• Iconic halls: Qasr-e-Noor, Royal Palm, historic locations (permits/logistics vary). Use venue marketplaces for current rates and availability. shadiyana.pk+1

• Food notes: Clarify live stations (BBQ/karahi), crockery grade, service ratio, and chiller trucks for summer events.

Islamabad/Rawalpindi

• Venues: premium hotel ballrooms (Serena), hillside restaurants (The Monal) and marquee complexes; expect pricing to skew higher for premium hotels, moderate for marquees. (Cross-quote both for comparable menus.)

• Weather planning: open-air events need tenting, heaters/fans, and wind-rated staging.

Photo/Video, Makeup & Entertainment

• Photography/videography: Packages typically include 1–2 photographers, 1 videographer, edited highlights/teaser, albums; published bands range from ~PKR 30k basic to ~PKR 190k+ for branded teams per day. Inspect full galleries and contract delivery timelines. dclassyclicks.comshadiyana.pk

• Makeup & hair: Top salons publish rate cards (e.g., city branches of leading names), while popular parlours announce seasonal promos—ranges ~PKR 30k to 130k+ depending on artist/slot. Book trial and lock products (HD vs airbrush). nabila.netInstagramHiba Creations

• Entertainment: Dhol teams, Qawwali troupes or DJs—confirm sound limits at venue and power needs; use written set lists and call times. Instagram

Sample budget (single mid-scale event, ~300 guests)

• Venue + food: 300 × PKR 2,300/head ≈ PKR 690,000 (Karachi promo example; Lahore hotels from PKR 2,599/head). InstagramNishat Hotels

• Décor package: PKR 250,000–450,000 (stage + LEDs + florals).

• Photo/video (1 day): PKR 75,000–150,000. dclassyclicks.com

• Bridal makeup: PKR 40,000–120,000 (artist dependent). nabila.netHiba Creations

• Groom styling: PKR 20,000–120,000 (sherwani, shoes, accessories).

• Music (dhol + DJ): PKR 50,000–180,000. Instagram

• Invites + boxes: PKR 30,000–120,000 (print + mithai/boxes).

• Contingency (10%): add buffer for fuel surcharges, last-minute headcount.

Multi-event weddings (Mehndi/Barat/Valima) 2–3× these totals; jewellery is separate and market-linked (check day-of gold rates). Profit by Pakistan TodayThe Express Tribune

Booking sequence (what to do, in order)

1. Fix dates & guest counts (family agreement + city choice).

2. Hold venue(s) (ask for menu tasting + generator & AC/heat specs). Nishat Hotels

3. Lock caterer/menu (per-head, service ratio, live stations, desserts). shadiyana.pk

4. Sign décor + production (stage plan, florals, LED map, entrance).

5. Hire photo/video (shot list, delivery schedule). dclassyclicks.comshadiyana.pk

6. Book makeup & styling trials (contract exact artist, timings). nabila.net

7. Music/hosting (sound limits, playlists, cue sheets). Instagram

8. Jewellery & outfits (track gold rate; confirm delivery dates). Profit by Pakistan Today

City vendor-hunt shortcuts (2025)

• Venues (Lahore): directories show filters by capacity/budget; check Qasr-e-Noor/Royal Palm calendars early. shadiyana.pk

• Karachi caterers: browse ranked lists and request tasting; several start ~PKR 1,500/head. shadiyana.pk

• Deals & promos: hotels/banquets sometimes bundle cake, soft drinks, even a free room night for large bookings. Nishat Hotels

Cost-control tips

• Per-head is king: two dishes done well beat long menus—optimise on mains + BBQ + one signature dessert.

• Weekday or off-season: negotiate hall rent waivers or décor upgrades. (Some venues publicly advertise hall discounts alongside menu packages.) Nishat Hotels

• Bundle vendors: photo+video or décor+florist combos often shave 10–15%.

• Lock gold early if rates dip, then complete making later. The Express Tribune

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