PLANNING THE MEHNDI PARTY


The Mehndi party is held the night before the wedding. Traditionally, it is held in the home of the bride and only includes women from the bride's side. It is a fun and relaxing evening for the bride to spend with her closest friends and relatives. The evening is spent applying mehndi (henna) designs to the bride's hands, feet and anywhere else! Friends and family may also have some mehndi. While applications are being done their may be music, dance and other entertainment for the guests.

Preparation
The Bride's family usually hosts and pays for this event. They may wish to hire a professional to apply the Mehndi / Mehendi. If there are a large number of guests, it is a good idea to have more than one person applying the mehndi. As well, the bride's family may wish to prepare or cater a few dishes or snacks for the guests, to choose some music or entertainment and to have ready gifts or trinkets to hand out at the end of the evening.

Ideas & Tips
The Mehndi should be a relaxing evening. Here's how to keep it stress-free:

Try to have all the wedding preparations complete for the next day. That way, everyone will be able to focus on each other and enjoy the festivities.

Those who are getting mehndi (especially the bride) might wear clothing that is easy to remove without ruining the designs.

Choose some designs ahead of time and show them to the person who is applying your mehandi. Select a design that suits your taste! Make it as simple or heavy as you desire and match it to the cut of your outfits. For example, if your blouse has a deep back, apply a motif on your upper back.

In addition to your hands and feet, mehndi may be applied on your arms, back or wrists. Be creative!

Mehendi - Healling Properties
Mehendi & Popular Culture
Safety
Mehendi Wedding Customs