30 Stunning Mehndi Ideas to Inspire Your Wedding Henna

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If you've ever been to an Indian, Moroccan, or Pakistani wedding ceremony, you've probably seen — or worn — mehndi. Many brides, both abroad and in the United States, wear these henna "tattoos" on their hands and feet for wedding celebrations; look closely and you might spot their loved one's name worked into the design. Many women work henna into their regular beauty routines, but it's certainly lovely for special occasions too. See 30 strikingly beautiful examples of this decorative art form now.

01
Getting Started
Getty | MUNIR UZ ZAMAN

Getting Started

Mehndi begins as a henna paste that an artist applies. As it dries, it flakes off, revealing the orange-hued patterns on the skin below. Throughout the course of the wear, mehndi will darken before it begins to fade.

02
Mehndi Party
Getty | FAYEZ NURELDINE

Mehndi Party

Brides have a mehndi party, usually the day before the wedding, where female relatives and friends get together to receive mehndi and get pampered a little.

03
Going Green
Getty | SHAFIQ ALAM

Going Green

In Bangladesh, an artisan applies light green henna to a bride's hands.

04
Pretty Paisley
Flickr user fudgeit

Pretty Paisley

The patterns and swirls in many mehndi designs date back millennia.

05
Vine by Me
Getty | SAID KHATIB

Vine by Me

Although intricate lacework designs are popular, more organic designs like these curvilinear swirls are also a beautiful option.

06
High Contrast
Flickr user Tela Chhe

High Contrast

Red henna'd hands resting on a beautiful yellow sari make for a lovely juxtaposition.

08
Combining Forces
Getty | BERTRAND ROSENTHAL

Combining Forces

In Somalia, a wedding guest wears a design made with a combination of red and black henna.

09
Helping Hands
Getty | SAM PANTHAKY

Helping Hands

A Pakistani bride surrounded by her mehndi-wearing wedding party.

10
Flower Power
Getty | ABBAS MOMANI

Flower Power

In Palestine, bridal mehndi has some interesting variations. Here, a bride has henna in the center of her hand with an actual flower secured on top.

11
Simply Pretty
Flickr user Al Howat

Simply Pretty

Instead of baroque decoration, this bride chose a beautiful but simple foliated design.

12
Hands Up
Flickr user Saoire O' Brien

Hands Up

Designs appear orange right after the henna paste flakes off.

13
Apply Yourself
Getty | Simon de Trey-White

Apply Yourself

Mehndi is traditionally applied through a small cone.

15
Not Just For the Ladies
Getty | MENAHEM KAHANA

Not Just For the Ladies

At Palestinian weddings, men may also henna their hands.

16
Bejeweled
Getty | ASIF HASSAN

Bejeweled

Mehndi is lovely on its own, but most brides will accent it with plenty of bangles and rings.