Weddings in the Hindu and Sikh traditions don’t just happen all on one day. These weddings are often a series of celebrations, both before and after the wedding day itself. Prominent among these is the Mendhi party, sometimes spelled Mehndi, which is usually held on the day before the wedding itself and is when the bride has the bright reddish-orange stain applied to her palms, the back of her hands, and her feet in intricate patterns. Indeed, so intricate are the patterns that the Mendhi party can often take seven or eight hours while the stain – made of henna – is applied.
The Mendhi was traditionally held in the bride’s home, but today many brides are opting for an outside location for the party. The reason the Mendhi is held so close to the wedding day is that over time the stain will fade and the tradition is that the deeper the colour the happier will the marriage be. The designs symbolise various blessings such as love, luck, and joy, and usually the groom’s name will be hidden somewhere in between them.
This is a girl’s day out. Traditionally it is attended only by women – both of the family of the bride and the groom – and other close friends. Because the application of the henna can take so long there is usually some form of entertainment which involves traditional Indian music and dancing, and guests must be prepared to take part, although the bride often hires entertainment as well.
The party usually has a “lounge” feel to it and many brides now have a Mendhi stage created with something similar to a chaise longue on which they can relax while the designs are applied, and with a Mendhi décor London such as a backdrop of drapes and curtains, and perhaps flowers and candles.
As this can be a fairly long day there will be food supplied, but it won’t be a sit-down meal. Traditional Indian food is usually on offer, although Western foods may appear as well, but mostly they will be finger foods to fit in with the easy going feel of the day.
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