There are many parties to consider when planning an Indian wedding. One of the first gatherings or pre-wedding parties is the Mehndi. At this party, the ladies gather either at the bride’s home or at a reception site. Here the henna is applied for the wedding – making a beautiful, temporary body decoration.
Henna is usually done on the hands and feet of the bride. The guests may choose to have the henna only on their hands. San Antonio has limited vendors that can apply henna, so it is good to visit with the artist – as well as discuss the number of guests that will have henna applied – and the time frame in which this will be done. I would also advise that the bride do a small skin test many months prior to the wedding – just to check to see if her skin will have a reaction to the henna paste.
The reason that the henna is applied at one of the first parties – is that it takes time to dry or cure. Many times a bride must sit for 3- 6 hours – while the henna is curing. At first the henna is dark orange in color, and then cures to a reddish brown. The henna can last between one to three weeks.
This is a good time for everyone to focus on the bride and treat her like royalty– for she has no hands to eat or hold a drink.
This spring we coordinated an Indian/American wedding for Katie and Rocky.
We had the Mehndi the first night – which was a Friday night. It was coupled with the Sangeet at the Pearl Stable.
The bride had her henna applied a day earlier – for her henna was much more intricate, and as I stated earlier – and takes times to dry. The bride wanted to be able to celebrate with her friends and family – so applying henna one day earlier made a lot of sense. The Mehndi was planned two days prior to the Hindu ceremony.
We have another Indian/American wedding coming up next month. Our bride is having her Mehndi the night before the Hindu ceremony.
Traditions vary throughout India and the world – as to how and when things are done. So culturally, when you are from the Caribbean, you can have your Mehndi the night before the Hindu ceremony.
All of the Indian parties are very festive and colorful! They are also steeped in much tradition. The music is very upbeat and contagious! One can’t help but have fun at an Indian wedding.
Stay tuned to my series to hear about all the great parties, and how each area of the world celebrates marriage in it’s own way!
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