Occasion guide

What to wear to a Mehendi

A daytime celebration of henna — soft colours, light fabrics, no heavy heels.

The mehendi (or mehndi) is the henna ceremony before the wedding — usually held during the day, often outdoors or in a garden, where professional henna artists apply intricate patterns to the bride's hands and feet. Guests get henna too, which is half the fun. Dress for daytime, dress for sitting cross-legged, dress for staining-friendly fabrics.

What it is

A daytime event (usually mid-morning to mid-afternoon) the day or two before the wedding.
Often outdoor — gardens, terraces, courtyards — so dress for the weather.
Lots of sitting on the floor or low cushions while the henna dries.
The bride gets the most elaborate henna; guests get smaller designs.

What to wear

By who you are.

If you're a woman

A floor-length anarkali in cotton or georgette — comfortable, beautiful, sit-cross-legged-friendly.
A light saree with a cotton blouse if you're confident in the drape.
A kurta set in chikankari or floral block print.
Soft yellow, mint green, blush pink, ivory — daytime colours that won't compete with henna stain.

If you're a man

A simple kurta with churidar in white or ivory.
Avoid full sherwani for a daytime mehendi — too formal.
Soft leather mojaris or kolhapuris (no closed shoes).

Dress code · do & don’t

· Choose pale, soft colours — the henna stain will be on everyone's hands, you want to complement it.
· Wear breathable fabric — cotton, georgette, light silk.
· Pin sleeves out of the way before henna application.

Don’t

· Don't wear black or very dark colours — daytime, festive, light.
· Don't wear anything with restrictive sleeves — you'll be holding still for 30+ minutes during henna.
· Don't bring a leather bag you mind staining — henna paste happens.

What we’d suggest

Curated for a mehendi.

Placeholder atelier image — commissioned photography arrives before launch

Ivory Chikankari Anarkali

From $680.00

Blush Chikankari Kurta Set

From $550.00

Festive Banarasi Anarkali

From $1,220.00

Common questions

Things we get asked.

Should I get henna too?

Yes if you want to. Most professional henna artists at mehendis offer guests small designs — palms, wrists, sometimes the back of the hand. It takes about 10 minutes per hand and stains for 1-2 weeks.

What if I don't want henna on me?

Completely fine. Just say 'no, thank you' if asked, or politely decline if the artist approaches. There's no expectation.

Is the mehendi only for women?

Traditionally yes, but increasingly it's a mixed-gender event, especially in Australia and the diaspora. Check with the host. Men typically wear lighter kurta sets if attending.

Still unsure what to pick?

Message Ketki on WhatsApp with the event date, the venue, and what you usually wear. She’ll suggest two or three pieces.

Message Ketki Read the first-time guide