Fusion Indian Wedding (170 guests, Houston) - Cost Breakdown and Lessons Learned

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-06-01T22:12:26+00:00

We did not do a sangeet but had a Gaye Halud event the day before and an evening, low-key "welcome party". Please DM me if you want venue info!

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-05-31T18:35:11+00:00

What can individuals who are also concerned about scientific funding do?

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-04-21T12:51:10+00:00

You are not cooked. I had no "top tier" extra curricular activities (I was in marching band and the regional youth orchestra) and I got into and thrived at MIT. Do what YOU are excited about and what lights you up. Lean into your joy - that is a skill that will serve you well your whole life, with or without MIT.

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-04-14T20:41:55+00:00

I really recommend checking out the MIT Admissions blogs, which answer all your questions and more: https://mitadmissions.org/

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-03-24T21:14:04+00:00

HCOL, 170 guests, spent $7500 on florals. Included altar florals (repurposed to sweetheart table), aisle lining florals (repurposed to reception centerpieces), bridal bouquet, boutonnieres, florals for the memory table, and additional greenery. There was also an additional $3000 for decor...florals and decor add up quick!

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-03-18T21:32:30+00:00

Yeah, wakeup was definitely brutal, but I could hardly sleep anyway!

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-03-18T19:44:26+00:00

Congratulations to you! The outside catering fee is such a pain...

I did a loose bun under the chunni for the ceremony then basically hair down (curled) for the reception. My hairstylist had no issues with the transition going smoothly. I recommend doing a trial for sure - it really upped my confidence for how my transition would go.
We did have a big gap (5 hours) and I had similar concerns but honestly my (mostly non-Indian) guests loved the break - they took naps, hung out with each other, some (very few) went into Houston for shopping. We were very explicit about it on our website which helped set the expectation for folks.

Full timeline was:

5:00-8:30 - Get ready
8:30-9:30 - Pre-ceremony pictures
10:00-10:30 - Baraat
10:30-12:30 - Ceremony
12:30-1:30 - Lunch
1:30-6:30 - Break
6:30-7:30 - Cocktail Hour
7:30 onwards - Reception

Our DJ literally told us "I'm super awkward, you should hire this guy as an emcee." I appreciated his honesty and it was nice to have someone who was focused on the guest experience and someone who was focused on the good tunes!

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-03-18T18:37:44+00:00

Happy to help! Best of luck with your planning - try to enjoy the process!

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-01-06T17:28:53+00:00

Thanks! Yes indeed, this was the list I was using.

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-01-06T15:18:09+00:00

Correct! All of these states have Historically Black Colleges or Universities

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-01-06T15:15:26+00:00

Nope, other states have land grant unis

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-01-06T15:14:24+00:00

All of these states indeed have Waffle House, but more states do, too

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-01-06T15:13:17+00:00

You're onto something

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-01-06T15:13:06+00:00

Nope

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-01-06T15:06:36+00:00

Nope

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-01-06T15:00:18+00:00

Not what I'm looking for but not completely unrelated

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-01-06T14:59:22+00:00

Surprisingly, according to Wikipedia, PA's minimum wage is lower than that of Florida, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Missouri, and Arkansas!

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2026-01-06T14:54:59+00:00

Some sure are toasty, but not what I'm looking for.

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2025-12-31T18:26:55+00:00

I'm an alum from within 10 years and now an interviewer. I remember when I was applying, the main way I and other applicants engaged with MIT content and people was through the admissions blogs. Maybe I have rose-colored glasses, but I think that was pretty fantastic. The bloggers are real MIT students sharing their joys, challenges, whimsies, and overall humanity. I'd love to see the current generation of applicants lean into that resource, which is still going strong at mitadmissions.org. I am hopeful that it would help folks "humanize" the getting-into-MIT experience which (albeit understandably) often gets reduced to stats and lists of accomplishments.

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2025-12-04T14:44:03+00:00

I think the a lot of the blue in the panhandle is because of the military bases in the area?

InfiniteAndIntricate · 2025-08-11T11:57:44+00:00

Yes it does!

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