What is Henna?
Henna (or Mehndi) is a special plant dye that has been used for centuries on women’s hands and feet. It is particularly popular among brides and their friends and sisters on their wedding day. With henna, intricate and beautiful mehendi wedding design ideas are created that enhance the overall appearance.
Beyond weddings, henna is also widely enjoyed during henna parties and festivals such as Eid. A day before Eid, the markets bustle with young girls and women eagerly seeking henna, reflecting the significant demand for it during this time. On Chand Raat (the night before Eid), groups of girls gather at home to apply henna designs on each other’s hands, which look stunning when paired with their new and colorful outfits the following morning.
The tradition of applying Henna for a Wedding is especially prominent in Pakistan and India. In fact, any wedding in these two countries feels incomplete without henna.
Mehndi color is very important
When discussing the color of mehndi, it’s important to note that its base color is brown. However, the shade of mehndi can vary depending on the celebration or occasion. For example, young desi girls adorn their hands and feet with a dark brown mehendi for bride. In contrast, lighter red mehndi is often chosen for celebrations like Eid or parties. It is also a common cultural practice for brides to have their groom’s name written in dark mehndi on their hands. Additionally, this name is often displayed on a beautifully decorated chadar that hangs on the background wall during the mehndi event.
What is the Henna ceremony (or Mehndi Ceremony)?
The mehndi ceremony marks the formal beginning of the wedding festivities. Preparations begin several days or even months in advance in the home where the wedding is to take place. However, the excitement reaches its peak when the mehndi drums are played.
First, the mehndi room or hall is decorated with beautiful flowers. Then, an expert henna designer skillfully creates intricate Indian wedding henna designs on the hands and feet of the bride. Brides from Pakistan and India particularly favor floral designs. While traditional henna takes some time to develop its color on the skin, no products available in the market produce an immediate color upon application.
What to Wear to a Mehndi Party As a Desi Bride
The bride eagerly anticipates this special day, dreaming about it for years. When the day finally arrives, her joy is truly boundless. The big question, however, is what the bride should wear on her mehndi party.
Our experts recommend opting for long mehndi dresses in a muted mustard color instead of a bright yellow. This choice aligns with current trends and serves as a great alternative to yellow.
As for the design, lehengas, maxis, or ghararas are excellent options. If you want your outfit to stand out even more, consider dresses with embroidery. Just keep in mind that overly heavy embroidery may not be suitable for the bride’s mehndi dress. You can always reserve more heavily embellished outfits for the wedding day itself.
What to Wear to a Mehndi Party As a Guest?
The mehndi function is often referred to as a celebration of colors. On the special mehndi night, preparations for bangles, shoes, and makeup are essential, and choosing the right attire is equally important. Not only the bride but also the female guests—women and girls alike—are super sensitive about their clothing. They often find themselves asking questions like: What should I wear? What design should I choose? Is the fabric suitable? And what color will look best?
When selecting mehndi attire, it’s important to consider that if you’ve applied mehndi on your arms and the weather isn’t too cold, a dress with half sleeves is a great option. Additionally, wide-leg trousers, commonly known as shararas, are highly preferred for mehndi ceremonies. It’s best to avoid complicated outfits like sarees, as they can restrict movement and make dancing challenging.
Best Traditional Bridal Designs of Henna for a Wedding
New bridal henna designs are constantly emerging in the market and online stores. Traditional designers work tirelessly to introduce innovative ideas in this field. Below, we present a selection of unique, charming designs perfect for brides. We hope you enjoy these creations!
 
  
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