RP204 The World's First Bridal Show

 RP204 The World's First Bridal Show

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Indian weddings? It's probably the elegant designs painted on the bride's body. This is called the Mehndi ceremony, and some say it's the "oldest bridal shower in the world."

During the Mehndi ceremony, a bride's hands and arms are decorated with a colorful paste made from henna plants. Henna has been used for body decoration for thousands of years. The Egyptian Pharaoh Cleopatra, who lived from 69 B.C. to 30 B.C., is said to have used henna to paint her fingernails. The Mehndi ceremony is more recent, but it still traces its roots back to the 15th century.

The Mehndi ceremony takes place on the night before the wedding. It's known for being fun and relaxing, unlike many other wedding ceremonies, which are more formal. The ceremony is a chance for the bride to spend time with close family and friends. Traditionally, it would be the last chance before the bride leaves to live with her husband's family. Guest s of the ceremony come over to laugh, tell stories, sing, and dance. All the while, the bride's hands and arms are painted with elaborate henna designs. After the evening is over, the bride remains home until her wedding begins the next day.

Families approach the Mehndi ceremony differently. Sometimes the ceremony is very low-key: a few loved ones gather for a "girls' night in. "Other times, it is a big event, with an outside venue and a long guest list.

Who does the actual body painting? It used to be any neighborhood auntie with experience and a steady hand. But nowadays, brides tend to hire professionals to do the henna painting. These pros will paint peacocks, flowers, Islamic patterns, and representations of the bride and groom. Their designs are also getting more complicated and more beautiful over time. Some of them have even begun to use glitter and different colors of henna.