Mehndi And Its Association With Celebrations
In Subcontinent cultures, a wedding isn’t just one “big day”-it’s a series of celebrations occurring before and after the couple exchanges vows. The Mehndi party is one of the most vibrant and essential of the parties. We chatted with wedding planners Lauren Chitwood, of Louisville, Kentucky-based Lauren Chitwood Events, and Lili Marsh, of Inspired Karma Weddings & Events in central California, to get the scoop on everything you need to know about attending a Mehndi party. Mehndi-or mehndi or henna-is an ancient form of body art, originating in India and across South Asia and the Middle East. A Mehndi party is the pre-wedding celebration in Hindu and Sikh culture when the bride has the red-orange mehndi “stain” applied to her palms, back of hands, and feet. It is all about different mehndi designs that are picked and stained on bride and other family members. Everybody has their own choice according to their taste and choice they select the mehndi designs that are from internet, blogs or internet. Some blogs are very useful to find mehndi designs and know the ongoing mehndi trends. I found the mehndi blog at Libas e Jamila which is super perfect and I personally loved their content. Typically held the day before the wedding, the event often has a lounge feel, with colorful pillows. Although these parties were traditionally held in the bride’s home, today’s bride is opting to host it at an outside venue.
Series of Celebrations and festivities
There’s a reason the party occurs so close to the ceremony: Tradition says the deeper the color of the bride’s mehndi, the happier the bride and groom’s marriage will be. Designs symbolize various blessings, luck, joy, and love, adding that the groom’s name is usually hidden somewhere in the intricate patterns. Mehndi has its own pattern and way of describing the joy and celebration. The simple mehndi designs have their own grace the stain of mehndi completes a bride whether the design is light or heavy. The simple mehndi designslook more graceful than the heavy ones and depicts the simplicity and elegancy.
An Event Solely for Girls
As far as wedding celebrations go, the Mehndi party has the most girl power. Customarily, only women-on both sides of the aisle-attend: mothers, bridesmaids, future sisters-in-law, and other close family members and friends. “A large wedding could see 75 to 150 women attend a Mehndi,” but can be smaller depending on the bride and her family. Because of this, it is not the event to be fashionably late for. “Be on time! Since the guest list is often smaller for this one event, it is an honor to be invited. Guests can often opt to have henna applied-though less elaborate than the bride’s-so be mindful of etiquette. If you are getting henna applied, don’t hog the show-keep it limited to one design and one appendage! Let everyone have their chance. Because Mehndi application can take a long time, entertainment is a must. There’s generally Indian music and dancing, and, traditionally, you could be part of that entertainment. Show up in a festive mood, ready to party, sing and dance, Marsh says. It is often the ‘job’ of the guests to perform short skits and dances to keep the bride entertained. nowadays, a bride sometimes hires entertainment, such as belly dancers, for the event. In fact, you’re likely to leave a Mehndi party with a gift yourself. No gift is needed, as the bride will have favors for you! These may include things like colorful dupattas, perfume bottles, small beaded bags, and, of course, bangles! A staple at most Mehndi parties.
A night full of glamor and joy
Mehndi is all about colors, themes and vibrant décor. Everyone and every corner of the event is super attractive. The food, the dresses all the arrangements are done super nicely. Mehndi is one of the most blissful events of a wedding that everyone waits of and excited to be dolled up on fancy fabric and putting on mehndi. The mehndi vibe id a little different from all the other events. It’s a girl power function full of love, laughter, dances, music and all. Mehndi is not only important only for the mehndi event but there is other function too like mayun, dholki that are all about mehndi.
