In an Indian wedding there are several events that take place before the actual wedding ceremony itself, and one of these is what is called the Mehndi, or Mehndi party.
Mehndi (pronounced “mehendi) is another name for the plant henna (Lawsonia inermis), and the dye which is extracted from it. This is made into a paste which is then used as a form of paint in order to decorate the hands, arms, and often legs and feet of the bride at the Mehndi party. The party is sometimes thought of as the “girls’ night out” involving, as it does, plenty of food and drink, singing and dancing.
The bride herself will relax on a Mehndi stage while the dye is used to paint intricate designs on her. This can take some considerable time and requires a skilled artist to carry out the work. It is also necessary to let the henna dry before the bride can join in the fun. Very often, the name of the groom is inserted somewhere into the pattern, and everyone can then try to find out where it is.
These days, the Mehndi party often also includes the groom himself along with his family members, and the henna can be applied not just to the groom in addition to the bride, but also other guests as required.
It May Be Combined With The Sangeet
Sometimes, the Mehndi party is held at the same time as the Sangeet which is another big party that is usually held the night before the wedding. It is really up to the hosts, although when applying henna, it can take two or three days to darken afterwards. This is why many Mehndi parties are held three or four days beforehand.
Once the henna is applied to the bride, it can last for between 10 days and three weeks. It is said to help avoid stress as well. The bride is advised to avoid any housework while the henna remains on her to help with the stress relief. (She won’t mind complying with that request!).
Of course, a Mehndi party – whether just for the girls or for more people – wouldn’t be the same without appropriate decoration of the venue, and at Kenza Creations we are well-known for providing Mehndi décor. You want your Mehndi party to go with a swing and so having fabulous decoration will all add to the overall effect, making it one that those present will be talking about way into the future.