Mehndi Night Designs for the Bride's Family & Friends

28 designs · Published · Updated

The mehndi night is the one event where everyone wears henna. The bride has hers applied, and every sister, cousin and friend queues for the artist. The designs that work best are the ones that finish quickly, photograph well against yellow and green, and leave the bride’s full fill as the centre of attention.

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For the bride’s sisters and friends

A centred flower with vines to two fingers and a wrist band. Mirror it on both hands so they match when the dancing starts.

Fast Arabic designs for a long queue

When the artist has thirty guests to get through, a bold Arabic sweep on the back of one hand is the answer: complete in twenty minutes and visible from across the room.

For the youngest guests

Children at the ceremony get one motif and a few dots so they can go back to playing.

For the bride

The bride’s own designs belong in the bridal collections: back hand bridal designs and front hand bridal designs, or the full-hand bridal guide.

Frequently asked questions

What should guests wear on their hands for the mehndi night?

A back-hand design in a for-girls or Arabic style. It photographs well in the yellow and green of the ceremony and takes under an hour, which matters when an artist is working through a long queue.

Does the bride get her mehndi on the mehndi night?

Traditionally yes, which is why the ceremony is usually two days before the wedding. Some brides now do a private session earlier and wear a lighter design on the night itself.

How long does guest mehndi take at a ceremony?

Twenty to forty minutes per person for a back-hand design. Arabic designs are the fastest at a crowded event.