Sangeet checklist

4 to 6 months before

• Choose the format: a performance night, a combined mehndi and sangeet, a garba night or a cocktail sangeet.
• Book a venue with a large dance floor and a stage, and ask for a scaled floor plan.
• Put the end time and sound limits in the contract, plus any fee for resetting a shared room.
• Book the DJ or band, a dhol player and lighting.
• Decide on the MC: a professional or a confident family member.
• Book a choreographer if the families want routines.

2 to 3 months before

• Set the performance list: eight to ten acts at most, two to three minutes each.
• Set the order: children, friends, siblings, parents and elders, solos, and the couple last.
• Schedule rehearsals, and get rehearsal space at the venue in writing.
• Plan dinner, served by about 9 pm if elders or children are coming.
• Start collecting video messages about six weeks before.
• Choose outfits that are bright and easy to dance in.

2 weeks before

• Cut every song to length, and keep one master song list.
• Put every track on one device in running order, with a backup.
• Print the running order for the MC, the DJ and one person who is not performing.
• Name someone to get each group ready before it goes on.

The day before

• Hold a final rehearsal, on the real stage if possible.
• Check the DJ's and photographer's hours against the run of show.

On the day

• Do a full sound check before guests arrive.
• Feed the performers first.
• Keep slack in the schedule, and keep an eye on the music cut-off time.