The Significance of Mehndi in Indian Weddings
Meant to celebrate the bride and calm her nerves using the cooling properties of henna paste, the Mehndi ceremony is one of the most intimate moments leading up to Indian weddings.
The ceremony, in which intricate Mehndi designs are applied to the bride’s hands and feet, dates back hundreds of years and is included in Indian weddings of all faiths. In the Hindu tradition, the Mehndi ceremony is part of the Solah Shringar, which is a series of 16 beauty treatments that the bride undergoes so she can look her best for her wedding. Though typically a female-only event, modern couples have adapted the ceremony to include Mehndi for the groom, as well as a Sangeet-style celebration once the Mehndi has been applied.
So, if you're looking to plan a fabulousMehndi party, here’s what you need to know—from picking out your Mehndi design to sending your invitations.
Top 5 Traditional Mehndi Designs
Traditional bridal Mehndi is applied to the hands and feet of the bride, though more opulent designs can extend up their calves to their knees and up their forearms to their elbows. Though the size, placement, and design of the mehndi are all deeply personal choices for the bride to make, there are few things that all mehndi designs tend to have in common:
- Mandalas. Symbolizing harmony, peace, and union, mandalas are one of the most common elements included within bridal Mehndi design. How you choose to incorporate the mandala is completely up to you—and many brides will aim to match the look of the mandala to the embroidery on their saris or lenghas.
- Florals. A crucial part of any Indian wedding, floral elements are also commonly incorporated into the bridal Mehndi design. Brides can choose the type of florals they include in their designs (roses and lotuses are two of the most common), but almost all are accompanied by a vine and leaf motif that symbolizes strength and devotion in marriage.
- Lace and Latticework. To create cohesion and flow between the various parts of the Mehndi design, brides will usually opt for intricate lace and latticework. Which style you choose is totally up to you—and again, it is common to opt for a lace or lattice design that will complement your ceremony outfits.
- The Groom’s Name. The groom’s name is almost always incorporated into the bridal Mehndi. Typically, his name will be hidden within the floral or paisley elements of the design for him to find. If you’re hosting a multicultural wedding, it is also common for the groom’s name to be featured a few times throughout the design in various languages.
- Bride and Groom Figures. Many brides will choose to incorporate bride and groom figures into their mehndi designs. Though iconography is used only in bridal Mehndi, the figures can be as personalized as the bride wishes (we love the idea of including a few elements that make the illustrations really look like you!), and are traditionally placed facing each other on opposite palms or wrists.
Mehndi Invitations FAQ
When to Have the Mehndi Ceremony
The Mehndi is typically held the day before the wedding ceremony as a way to bless and beautify the bride before she enters her marriage. The timing of when the ceremony starts depends on how intricate the bride’s Mehndi will beas application can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. (That said, it is becoming more common for brides to have the henna artist begin working before the party actually begins, which can affect the start time you include in your invitation as well.)
Whom to Invite to the Mehndi Ceremony
Mehndi ceremonies have traditionally been reserved for female family members of both sides, as well as the bride’s closest female friends. Typically, the guests that make up the bridal party will also have henna applied in designs that coordinate with the bride’s during the Mehndi ceremony. The groom, along with male relatives of both sides, are then invited to join in on the fun once the bride’s Mehndi is complete.
Today, more couples are choosing to integrate the Mehndi ceremony into a more co-ed affair by combining it with the Sangeet celebration. If this is the route you plan to take, you’ll likely have more guests in attendance at the Mehndi!
Where to host the Mehndi Ceremony
Because the Mehndi is hosted by the bride’s family, the ceremony is typically held in the home of one of the bride’s relatives. Who hosts the ceremony usually comes down to who has the most outdoor space, as many brides choose to have their Mehndi outside to allow plenty of space for the artists as well as the singing and dancing that accompanies the application of the henna.
For couples with larger guest lists, it is also common to find a separate venue to host the Mehndi to ensure all of their loved ones can be included in the ceremony and celebration.
What to Prepare for the Mehndi Ceremony
Mehndi ceremonies are all about the music! Many couples will opt to hire a DJ for the Mehndi ceremony who will help coordinate and introduce family members as they perform their choreographed dances.
In addition to making sure you have the right playlist and plenty of space for guests to dance, couples will decorate their Mehndi venues in bright colors and creative details to get everyone in the mood to celebrate.
Mehndi Invitation Suites by Minted
To make planning your Mehndi as simple as possible, all of Minted’s Indian wedding invitation designs come complete with a coordinating Mehndi invitation. Created by our network of independent artists and designers, these invitations often nod to traditional elements of Mehndi designs by featuring beautiful floral, scalloped, and lace details.
If you’d like your Mehndi invitation to stand out from the rest of your invitation suite, Minted also offers stand-alone Mehndi invitation designs. We particularly love ones that highlight traditional henna designs and use techniques like letterpress printing to bring the texture of Mehndi as it dries to life.
Wedding Invitation Customization
Looking to coordinate your Mehndi invitation with the design that you plan to have applied before your big day? Or maybe you need to create a design that accommodates for your invitation wording to be printed in multiple languages?
Minted provides custom design services for couples who want to design their wedding invitation suite from scratch. After receiving your initial request form, we’ll pair you with one of our in-house designers to bring your vision to life with custom illustrations, layouts, color palettes, and more.
