Mehndi Art
Henna is an art form that has been around for many generations. A cultural wedding tradition in many middle eastern countries such as Arabia, India and Mongolia, its an art form that is finding a popular niche amongst western brides looking to add an exotic element to their wedding day.
Also known as Mehndi, made from the henna plant, henna is a brown paste of varying hues that when applied to the skin in intricate designs, stains it and leaves behind a semi-permanent pattern that will last days, sometimes weeks. And while the Eastern tradition of henna is usually applied the night before the wedding in an all ladies night of revelry from a stain prepared by the older, wiser and more experienced ladies of the group, the western tradition usually relies on an modern day Mehndi practitioner hired just for the occasion.
Traditionally, wedding henna designs are applied to the hands and/or feet of the bride to be - but here again tradition is fast being replaced with a more modern approach, applying henna to any exposed skin. Should your dress have a low back, or your hair be worn up, you may want to have henna applied to your back or the nape of your neck as a way of creating an interesting focal point as you walk down the aisle.
In lieu of jewellery henna designs can be created wrapping around the neck, or applied down the side of an arm to accentuate an off the shoulder gown, or to the sides of the neck to provide a stunning frame for a bustier. To give your Mehndi designs even more of a dramatic flair try adding an extra element of sparkle with glitter or crystals interwoven directly into the pattern.
Whether your wedding theme wraps around Eastern traditions and practices, or you choose henna simply as an additional exotic element to your bridal wear, there are many other ways your Mehndi design can be incorporated into other aspects of your wedding accessories. Prepare the pattern for the design ahead of time and use it to accentuate your wedding invitations or stationery.
The ancient art of Mehndi is seeing new life in today's brides, and it's only a stain away.
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