Weddings are celebrations, but in a crowded city like Mumbai a baraat with a band, DJ and fireworks on the road affects traffic and neighbours. The law does not exempt weddings from the rules on processions and noise. Planning around them avoids a police complaint on the big day.
What you need
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Baraat on public roads | Police permission for the procession, with route and timing |
| Band, DJ or loudspeaker outdoors | Written loudspeaker permission from the police; use only between 6 am and 10 pm |
| Event at a banquet hall | The venue’s licences; loudspeakers in closed premises are allowed after 10 pm, but sound should not spill outside |
| Event on an open lawn or terrace | The 10 pm limit applies to outdoor loudspeakers |
| Fireworks | Licensed products only, and never between 10 pm and 6 am |
| Serving liquor | A one-day function licence from the State Excise Department. See party permissions |
The 10 pm rule
- Under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, outdoor loudspeakers and DJ systems cannot be used between 10 pm and 6 am.
- Weddings are not among the festival days when the State may relax this up to midnight.
- Even before 10 pm, noise must stay within the area’s limits; high-decibel DJ systems typically exceed them by a wide margin.
- The National Green Tribunal has observed that DJ music and road obstruction by wedding processions are not an essential part of any religious ceremony and can be acted against as a nuisance.
Practical tips
- Ask the venue what permissions it holds and what it expects you to obtain.
- Apply to the local police station for baraat and loudspeaker permission well in advance.
- Keep the baraat short, avoid main roads at peak hours, and keep a lane free for traffic and ambulances.
- Agree a sound limit with the DJ, and switch off outdoor music at 10 pm.
- Keep permission letters with the event manager on the day.
For neighbours
If music continues after 10 pm outdoors, or is extremely loud at any time, call 112 or 100. Police can stop the music and seize equipment for violations.
Frequently asked questions
Can the police stop our wedding DJ?
Yes, if it runs outdoors after 10 pm, without permission, or above noise limits.
Do we need permission for a dhol at a haldi in our society?
Get the managing committee’s approval and keep within timings. Amplified sound outdoors needs police permission.
See also: procession permissions and court marriage and marriage registration.
Planning ahead? See the festival permissions calendar 2026–27 for dates and when to start preparing, or all festival guides.
Consultations are by appointment. To fix a time, telephone +91 99301 50560 or send a message on WhatsApp.
This guide describes the law as understood in October 2026. It is not legal advice.
More festival guides
- Festivals in Housing Societies
- Chhath Puja in Mumbai
- Religious Procession Permission in Mumbai
- Loudspeakers at Places of Worship in Maharashtra
- Makar Sankranti Kite Flying
- Holi in Mumbai
- Dahi Handi Rules in Maharashtra
- Navratri Garba and Dandiya Events in Mumbai
- Ganeshotsav Pandal Permission in Mumbai
- New Year and Christmas Parties in Mumbai
- Diwali Firecrackers in Mumbai
- Bakri Eid Qurbani in Mumbai