Ideas for the Perfect Mehndi Party
What's a mehndi party? Well, it's the Indian equivalent of a bridal shower. It is one of the more important pre-wedding events that happens in the days leading to the actual wedding date. The bride's hands and feet are painted with intricate mehndi designs, which include geometric and figurative motifs such as flowers and leaf and vine patterns, and traditional hindu or muslim religious symbols, depending on the religion of the Indian bride. Therefore, it will be important to give it as much thought in planning for the mehndi (henna) party, as you would for your actual wedding day!
The mehndi party (henna party) is an affair that traditionally involves predominantly womenfolk in the family, although modern mehndi parties involve men as well, especially in modern Hindu families where there are mixed dances.
The vibrant red color of the mehndi is supposed to symbolize satisfaction and happiness in the future marriage. The mehndi can be applied to the bride's hands and feet the night before the marriage ceremony, or some days before it, by the bride's female relatives who spend several hours applying the designs. The process may take anywhere from three to eight hours depending upon the complexity of the designs and whether or not both the hands and feet are decorated.
So keep that in mind when planning for the mehndi party. Here are some tips for planning the perfect mehndi party.
1) Be selective when you make out your invitations. Why? Mehndi parties are usually more meaningful if you keep it small and intimate. Invite only the female relatives and close friends that you want at your party.
2) Sometimes, in addition to the bride getting her hands and feet painted with mehndi (henna) designs, certain female guests (bride's mother, sisters, best friends) are getting simpler henna designs done on them too. If you decide you would like that at your henna party, then be sure to ask your female guests, if they would like to have their hands painted with mehndi as well. Once you have a number count of the female guests who would like their hands painted with mehndi, then you will have an idea as to how many assistant henna artists you will need to have at your party.tives and close friends that you want at your party. 3) Plan on having entertainment for you and your guests. You can decide on the music that you will play - make a cd compilation in advance. You can also appoint a few of your close female friends to perform dances, or sing, as you watch while getting your hands and feet adorned with henna (mehndi).
4) If you would like to have a more elaborate mehndi party, then think about creating a theme with fitting mehndi decorations. For instance, if you are planning to have a mehndi party during the spring, summer or early Fall, then you may consider an outdoor evening party. You could install Moroccan bedoiun tents in your garden with lush interior decorations in the tents - pillows, cushions, hand made rugs, lamps, candles etc. If you do this, you should plan on having a generator installed too, so that you can have lights in the interior of the tents. If you prefer something more low-key, then consider having at your home, or in a restaurant (where you can book a room, or even the entire place). If you go with the restaurant, then you should plan to asking the restaurant to help with the decorations and catering. 5) This brings us to the food. Ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions. To be on the safe side, plan on having both vegetarian and non-vegetarian courses - can't go wrong there!
5)Keep in mind that you will be having wet mehndi (henna) paint put on you. And you would be expected to keep them on your hands for sometime. So before you actually have the henna put on you, you should be attired in something comfortable and easy to remove (or adjust). Do NOT choose somthing to wear on your mehndi (henna) party just because you think it looks good. Pay attention to the material, you don't want something that itches your skin. That won't do when you're expected to sit still for a very long time!
6) Finally, be relaxed. Since you, as the bride, will be having the most elaborate and intricate mehndi (henna) designs done on your hands and feet, you can expect to be sitting still for sometime. Therefore, it is important for you to be occupied in other ways, so that the sitting does not become tedious. Plan a programme for the night (at least for the duration it takes for you to be sitting still while the henna artists works on you). That way, you will be happily distracted watching some form of entertainment as you sit for the mehndi (henna) appplication process. And most of all, have fun! It's your bridal mehndi (henna) party. And you're getting married soon!
Mehndi Party
Mehndi Facts You Need to Know
Bridal Mehndi (Henna)
So you are planning for your bridal mehndi (henna) party. It would be good to know what exactly mehndi is, so that you are more or less prepared for your Night of Henna!
Mehndi( henna) is a small shrub called hawsonia inermis and is found in Iran, India, Pakistan, Egypt, and North Africa.Women in Indian rural villages actually pick fresh mehndi leaves and prepare them for the application. They grind the leaves until it is a powdery form. Some people also grow it in their home gardens, as we do! It is also readily available in retail stores in a powder form.
There are different types of mehndi (henna) available. Black, brown and red. While the color of the actual Mehndi dye is deep green, once it is removed, the dye leaves a color that varies from light orange to a deep brownish-black.
How to Make Mehndi (Henna) Paste:
1) Make sure that your mehndi powder is a bright green. If it is a dull green, that means it is not of a good quality. But be careful because not all bright green henna powders are 100% henna. Some can have additives with colorings. A good indicator is usually is the henna stains the skin a light orange within a few minutes of touching the skin, then it's probably good.
2) There is no standard formula to make the mehndi paste. Different henna artists will have their own preferred method of making the henna paste. However, there are basic ingredients that you can use to make the paste. Use fine mehndi (henna) powder. Filter the mehndi powder through a nylon cloth, to remove the large fibers from the mehndi, which can get in the way when applying the paste. This powder can be mixed with oil (such as eucalyptus, nilgiri, or mehndi oil) and water, to make a thick paste. You have to add the right amount of water when making the paste so the Mehndi isn't too thick or too thin. You will also need to add some lemon or lime juice to get the color to set. Lemon juice is also added to the paste to intensify its red color. You can also add tea or coffee to darken the mehndi dye (stain).
Mehndi (Henna) Application
The finished paste is placed into a cone. During the process of laying out the design, the cone does not touch the skin, but rather, the henna is laid out onto the skin like a fine thread. The flow of the henna must be controlled in order to produce an even line, and requires skilled hands.
After the henna design is laid out on the skin, a mixture of lemon and sugar is dabbed over the design to set it. The longer the design is left undisturbed, the deeper the color will be. If possible, you should leave it on for at least 5 hours. Later the henna is removed by scrapping it off, revealing a reddish color where the henna touched the skin. The color left behind darkens over the next 12 hours or so.
Mehndi Indian
Bridal Henna Designs
Parties
The mehndi (henna) party is an important ceremony that occurs before the actual wedding day. During the henna party, henna designs are done on the palms of the hands and feet of the bride. The actual application of the henna can take anyway from 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the type of designs being applied. The more elaborate and intricate the designs, the longer it takes.
In some Indian Muslim communities, the name of the groom is incorporated into the henna design of the bride, a practice that is similar to other Muslim cultures elsewhere.
While the bride is having her henna done, female guests (usually her close female relatives and friends) will perform dances and sing as entertainment. Traditionally, this is an event that are attended by only the females, but in some modern Indian families, men are also invited to the activities.
The henna designs signifies the strength of love in the future marriage, so the bride makes an effort to keep it on as long as possible. The henna artist will used special ingredients that will enhance the longevity of the henna designs - it is possible for the designs to last for over three weeks after being applied.
While the main henna artist is doing the work on the bride, henna assistants will usually do simple designs for the female guests. The henna party ends with friends and family sitting down to a lavish dinner.
Here are some beautiful henna bridal designs we have come across. Hope you are well inspired by them.
Moroccan Inspired Henna Designs
We showcase below a few pictures on Moroccan henna designs. The Moroccan henna designs are more geometric in focus rather than floral based, and such henna designs can be a unique design for Indian brides wanting something special for themselves. The moroccan powder used gives a vibrant red stain
What's a mehndi party? Well, it's the Indian equivalent of a bridal shower. It is one of the more important pre-wedding events that happens in the days leading to the actual wedding date. The bride's hands and feet are painted with intricate mehndi designs, which include geometric and figurative motifs such as flowers and leaf and vine patterns, and traditional hindu or muslim religious symbols, depending on the religion of the Indian bride. Therefore, it will be important to give it as much thought in planning for the mehndi (henna) party, as you would for your actual wedding day!
The mehndi party (henna party) is an affair that traditionally involves predominantly womenfolk in the family, although modern mehndi parties involve men as well, especially in modern Hindu families where there are mixed dances.
The vibrant red color of the mehndi is supposed to symbolize satisfaction and happiness in the future marriage. The mehndi can be applied to the bride's hands and feet the night before the marriage ceremony, or some days before it, by the bride's female relatives who spend several hours applying the designs. The process may take anywhere from three to eight hours depending upon the complexity of the designs and whether or not both the hands and feet are decorated.
So keep that in mind when planning for the mehndi party. Here are some tips for planning the perfect mehndi party.
1) Be selective when you make out your invitations. Why? Mehndi parties are usually more meaningful if you keep it small and intimate. Invite only the female relatives and close friends that you want at your party.
2) Sometimes, in addition to the bride getting her hands and feet painted with mehndi (henna) designs, certain female guests (bride's mother, sisters, best friends) are getting simpler henna designs done on them too. If you decide you would like that at your henna party, then be sure to ask your female guests, if they would like to have their hands painted with mehndi as well. Once you have a number count of the female guests who would like their hands painted with mehndi, then you will have an idea as to how many assistant henna artists you will need to have at your party.tives and close friends that you want at your party. 3) Plan on having entertainment for you and your guests. You can decide on the music that you will play - make a cd compilation in advance. You can also appoint a few of your close female friends to perform dances, or sing, as you watch while getting your hands and feet adorned with henna (mehndi).
4) If you would like to have a more elaborate mehndi party, then think about creating a theme with fitting mehndi decorations. For instance, if you are planning to have a mehndi party during the spring, summer or early Fall, then you may consider an outdoor evening party. You could install Moroccan bedoiun tents in your garden with lush interior decorations in the tents - pillows, cushions, hand made rugs, lamps, candles etc. If you do this, you should plan on having a generator installed too, so that you can have lights in the interior of the tents. If you prefer something more low-key, then consider having at your home, or in a restaurant (where you can book a room, or even the entire place). If you go with the restaurant, then you should plan to asking the restaurant to help with the decorations and catering. 5) This brings us to the food. Ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions. To be on the safe side, plan on having both vegetarian and non-vegetarian courses - can't go wrong there!
5)Keep in mind that you will be having wet mehndi (henna) paint put on you. And you would be expected to keep them on your hands for sometime. So before you actually have the henna put on you, you should be attired in something comfortable and easy to remove (or adjust). Do NOT choose somthing to wear on your mehndi (henna) party just because you think it looks good. Pay attention to the material, you don't want something that itches your skin. That won't do when you're expected to sit still for a very long time!
6) Finally, be relaxed. Since you, as the bride, will be having the most elaborate and intricate mehndi (henna) designs done on your hands and feet, you can expect to be sitting still for sometime. Therefore, it is important for you to be occupied in other ways, so that the sitting does not become tedious. Plan a programme for the night (at least for the duration it takes for you to be sitting still while the henna artists works on you). That way, you will be happily distracted watching some form of entertainment as you sit for the mehndi (henna) appplication process. And most of all, have fun! It's your bridal mehndi (henna) party. And you're getting married soon!
Mehndi Party
Mehndi Facts You Need to Know
Bridal Mehndi (Henna)
So you are planning for your bridal mehndi (henna) party. It would be good to know what exactly mehndi is, so that you are more or less prepared for your Night of Henna!
Mehndi( henna) is a small shrub called hawsonia inermis and is found in Iran, India, Pakistan, Egypt, and North Africa.Women in Indian rural villages actually pick fresh mehndi leaves and prepare them for the application. They grind the leaves until it is a powdery form. Some people also grow it in their home gardens, as we do! It is also readily available in retail stores in a powder form.
There are different types of mehndi (henna) available. Black, brown and red. While the color of the actual Mehndi dye is deep green, once it is removed, the dye leaves a color that varies from light orange to a deep brownish-black.
How to Make Mehndi (Henna) Paste:
1) Make sure that your mehndi powder is a bright green. If it is a dull green, that means it is not of a good quality. But be careful because not all bright green henna powders are 100% henna. Some can have additives with colorings. A good indicator is usually is the henna stains the skin a light orange within a few minutes of touching the skin, then it's probably good.
2) There is no standard formula to make the mehndi paste. Different henna artists will have their own preferred method of making the henna paste. However, there are basic ingredients that you can use to make the paste. Use fine mehndi (henna) powder. Filter the mehndi powder through a nylon cloth, to remove the large fibers from the mehndi, which can get in the way when applying the paste. This powder can be mixed with oil (such as eucalyptus, nilgiri, or mehndi oil) and water, to make a thick paste. You have to add the right amount of water when making the paste so the Mehndi isn't too thick or too thin. You will also need to add some lemon or lime juice to get the color to set. Lemon juice is also added to the paste to intensify its red color. You can also add tea or coffee to darken the mehndi dye (stain).
Mehndi (Henna) Application
The finished paste is placed into a cone. During the process of laying out the design, the cone does not touch the skin, but rather, the henna is laid out onto the skin like a fine thread. The flow of the henna must be controlled in order to produce an even line, and requires skilled hands.
After the henna design is laid out on the skin, a mixture of lemon and sugar is dabbed over the design to set it. The longer the design is left undisturbed, the deeper the color will be. If possible, you should leave it on for at least 5 hours. Later the henna is removed by scrapping it off, revealing a reddish color where the henna touched the skin. The color left behind darkens over the next 12 hours or so.
Mehndi Indian
Bridal Henna Designs
Parties
The mehndi (henna) party is an important ceremony that occurs before the actual wedding day. During the henna party, henna designs are done on the palms of the hands and feet of the bride. The actual application of the henna can take anyway from 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the type of designs being applied. The more elaborate and intricate the designs, the longer it takes.
In some Indian Muslim communities, the name of the groom is incorporated into the henna design of the bride, a practice that is similar to other Muslim cultures elsewhere.
While the bride is having her henna done, female guests (usually her close female relatives and friends) will perform dances and sing as entertainment. Traditionally, this is an event that are attended by only the females, but in some modern Indian families, men are also invited to the activities.
The henna designs signifies the strength of love in the future marriage, so the bride makes an effort to keep it on as long as possible. The henna artist will used special ingredients that will enhance the longevity of the henna designs - it is possible for the designs to last for over three weeks after being applied.
While the main henna artist is doing the work on the bride, henna assistants will usually do simple designs for the female guests. The henna party ends with friends and family sitting down to a lavish dinner.
Here are some beautiful henna bridal designs we have come across. Hope you are well inspired by them.
Moroccan Inspired Henna Designs
We showcase below a few pictures on Moroccan henna designs. The Moroccan henna designs are more geometric in focus rather than floral based, and such henna designs can be a unique design for Indian brides wanting something special for themselves. The moroccan powder used gives a vibrant red stain
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