Mehndi designs are an integral part of a bride’s pre-wedding ceremony and symbolize an important bond between herself and her family as well as protective symbols and imagery.
Mehndi parties must include entertaining elements to keep bridesmaids and guests amused. This could include fun installations, rickshaw rides or photobooths to keep everyone captivated.
It is a tradition
Mehndi (henna) ceremonies are a ritualistically beautiful and joyful pre-wedding celebrations which are popular across Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Brides-to-be decorate their hands and feet with intricate designs made out of henna ink before attending this ritualistic affair.
Henna has long been used for both its aesthetic properties and medicinal applications. Its natural cooling properties may help brides feel calm on their wedding day; legend has it that darker the stain, deeper is love between bride and groom.
Henna is a natural plant that leaves behind a dark reddish-orange stain when applied to the skin. Leaves from the Lawsonia Inermis plant are dried and crushed into powder before mixing it with water, lemon juice and eucalyptus oil to make a pastelike consistency that is then placed into small plastic cones for application; typically used on hands and feet but may be applied anywhere on the body.
It is a celebration
Henna has long been part of many cultures and ceremonies such as weddings. It’s often thought to possess magical healing properties such as healing wounds or preventing illness; there have even been stories of Pharaohs and Queen Cleopatra using it to beautify themselves; it may even help calm a bride-to-be’s nerves before her special day!
Mehndi design parties are relaxed celebrations held at the bride’s home with family members and friends of both sides, often combined with sangeet (usually including groom’s side as well). Mehndi parties feature delicious food stations, boisterous dance performances choreographed especially for the event, and beautiful henna designs on guests hands.
Mehndi patterns differ across countries and cultures, representing many religions and practices. Common designs for mehndi include paisleys and flowers, mandalas, upward-pointing triangles and squares; these symbols serve to represent wholeness as well as connection with nature; some people even use them to symbolize protective figures or guardians.
It is a social event
Mehndi celebrations provide family and friends with an opportunity to come together and show the bride-to-be their appreciation and support by giving gifts in her honor.
Ceremony proceedings typically commence with members of the groom’s extended family entering with sweets, presents and platters of henna for guests to enjoy. Next comes the bride and her mehndi entrance song of choice – often dancing alongside close family or riding in on a rickshaw or dohli (palanquin).
Mehndi parties typically include delicious food, lively choreographed dances and speeches from both spouses. Couples may join in and surprise performances during their mehndi party too! A mehndi celebration would not be complete without upbeat music that keeps guests moving – you can even hire a DJ to provide the ideal soundtrack!
It is a ritual
Mehndi is an age-old tradition that involves applying intricate henna designs on the bride-to-be’s hands and feet as part of her pre-wedding ceremony preparations. Henna has long been used for its natural cooling properties as well as medicinal uses – it’s even used against evil eye! It is said to help heal skin diseases while protecting against future illnesses or conditions that might appear.
Henna is produced from the Lawsonia Inermis plant, which grows in tropical environments. Crushed leaves of this plant are mixed with water and eucalyptus oil to form a powder that is then applied directly onto skin to produce its vibrant reddish-orange hue. Once dry, this color fades leaving behind only its dark reddish-orange tint behind.
Henna can be combined with various ingredients to enhance its effectiveness, such as adding lemon juice and sugar for increased effectiveness. Cleopatra was known to use this hair dye, along with many of her predecessors including the Pharaohs of Egypt.
