The mehndi night is the most colourful, musical, joyful evening of a South Asian wedding. Henna artists draw intricate patterns on the bride’s hands, the dholki thumps, cousins rehearse dances they have practised for weeks, and everyone wears yellow and green. This invitation brings the marigolds and the music right to the envelope.
Garlands, Card and Mandala
The 5 x 7 inch card has a deep green background, the colour of fresh henna leaves. Across the top hangs a curtain of marigold garlands, twelve strands of alternating orange and yellow flowers on thin threads, each ending in a pair of green leaves and a small golden bell. A magenta band runs along the very top, like a fabric pelmet.
In the middle sits a cream card with a dashed orange border. Please join us for the sits in magenta capitals, then Mehndi in big orange Great Vibes script, and NIGHT in widely spaced green capitals. of Ayesha & Bilal follows in an elegant italic. The details come next: the date and 7 PM onwards, the family residence and address, a magenta line inviting guests to Dholki, henna, dancing, and dinner.Wear yellow! And a green RSVP line. At the bottom, a golden mandala rises from the bottom edge, with the OTO logo in cream in the lower left corner.
What Happens at a Mehndi: A Guide for First-Time Guests
If some of your guests have never been to a mehndi, a few words in your message or on a wedding website help them enjoy it fully. Here are the common questions, answered simply.
- What is mehndi? Henna paste applied in decorative patterns on the hands and feet. The bride’s design is the most elaborate, often taking several hours.
- Can guests get henna? Usually yes. Many families book extra henna artists for guests.
- What is a dholki? A small drum. Family members sing traditional wedding songs to its beat, often with lots of teasing about the couple.
- Will there be dancing? Almost certainly. Friends and cousins often perform choreographed dances, and the dance floor opens to everyone afterwards.
- What should I wear? Bright, festive clothing. Yellow, green, orange, and pink are traditional. Traditional outfits are welcome but not required.
- Should I bring a gift? Gifts are usually given at the wedding itself, not at the mehndi.
A Typical Mehndi Night Schedule
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:00 PM | Guests arrive, welcome drinks and snacks |
| 7:30 PM | The bride’s entrance, often under a decorated canopy |
| 8:00 PM | Henna application begins for the bride and guests |
| 8:30 PM | Dholki songs and family performances |
| 9:30 PM | Dinner is served |
| 10:30 PM | Open dance floor until late |
Customising the Garlands and the Names
Every line of text is editable. Double-click to change the couple’s names, the date, the venue, the dress code line, and the RSVP. If the mehndi is for one side of the family, the line might read Mehndi of our daughter Ayesha instead. For a combined event, try Mehndi and Dholki. The card also suits a mayun or haldi ceremony with a change of title.
The marigold curtain is one grouped object. Recolour the flowers to pink and white for a lighter look, or to red and gold for a grander evening. The cream card and its dashed border are separate shapes. The mandala at the bottom is an editable vector illustration; select it to recolour it from the swatch, perhaps magenta or white. Fonts are Great Vibes, Cormorant Garamond, and Montserrat, all in the editor’s font list.
Decor Ideas That Match the Card
Bring the invitation to life at the venue. Hang real or silk marigold garlands as a backdrop behind the bride’s seat. Use floor cushions, low tables and colourful cotton throws for a cosy, traditional seating area. String fairy lights through the garlands. Place brass urlis filled with floating flowers and candles at the entrance. A swing (jhoola) decorated with flowers makes a stunning photo spot for the bride and her friends.
Food for a Festive Night
Mehndi dinners are usually lavish but relaxed. Live food stations are popular: chaat, kebabs on the grill, a dosa or naan counter, and a dessert stall with jalebi, kulfi, and gajar ka halwa. Many families also serve paan at the end of the night. Because the bride’s hands are covered in henna for hours, a friend or cousin usually has the important job of feeding her.
Printing in Wedding Season
Download the PDF and print on a heavy, smooth card to make the green and marigold colours rich. A gold or orange envelope, sealed with a sticker or a small dried flower, looks festive in a wedding invitation suite. For digital invitations, popular for mehndi nights, download a PNG or JPG and share it in family groups along with the main wedding card.
Planning the Dances Early
If friends and cousins are performing, the invitation often goes out at the same time as the dance rehearsal schedule. Choose songs together, appoint one person to choreograph, and plan at least three rehearsals. Keep each performance under four minutes so the evening flows, and leave space at the end of the programme for a big group dance that everyone, even the shyest uncle, can join.
Mehndi Night Questions
Should I hire a henna artist for guests?
If your budget allows, one artist for every fifteen to twenty guests keeps the queue short and the designs simple and pretty.
How long does henna take to dry?
Around one to two hours to set, and the colour deepens over the next day or two.
Is the mehndi the night before the wedding?
Often one or two nights before, though some families hold it earlier in the week.
Can I invite friends who are not part of the culture?
Absolutely. Mehndi nights are famously welcoming, and a short guide like the one above helps everyone join in.
Can the card be used for the groom’s side?
Yes. Change the names and wording to Mehndi of Bilal and adjust the colours if you like.
Add the couple’s names and your date, hang the garlands, and send out the invitations. The dholki is warming up.
