The joys of Henna

You haven't truly experienced the joy of sisterhood until you've attended a Henna event. At Indian weddings, Henna (or Mehendi) is applied during a special pre-wedding ceremony where the bride and her loved ones come together to decorate each other with intricate designs. The event is alive with music and dance, as traditional folk songs bring back cherished childhood memories for the bride.

Applying Mehendi can take hours—sometimes up to six hours for the bride alone, even with two people working on her. During this time, her bridesmaids keep her entertained, making sure she’s fed, fixing stray hair, and even helping her move around, including guiding her to the restroom, all while the designs are in progress. This interdependency creates a beautiful bond between the bride and her loved ones, making her feel extremely special and cared for as they attend to her every need.

The atmosphere is electric, filled with laughter and love as children, grandparents, aunts, and uncles all participate. I vividly remember the Henna event at my aunt's wedding, where the sense of joy, sharing, kindness, and family togetherness made it an occasion I'll never forget. Don’t ever miss a Henna event at an Indian wedding—you’ll thank me later!