Event #3: Mehndi (henna)

Today's event for the celebration of Jimmy & Pavan's wedding was the Mehndi, which is also known as henna. Henna is turmeric paste which is applied to ones hands and feet that as a ceremonial art that originated in ancient India to beautify brides before the wedding. The brides friends also decorate themselves with mehndi.

We were all invited back to Jimmy & Pavan's villa within our resort this afternoon to participate in Mehndi. All of the women were presented with a bracelet of fresh, aromatic flowers (we think they were jasmine) when we entered.

The villa was decked out with beautiful food. I couldn't stop taking photos of the food tables - each food item was a small piece of art!

All of the females, adults and children alike were invited to have a mehndi design done to decorate their hands. It was a fascinating process to watch - the women were surprisingly fast at their art! I had one side of one hand done, although some of my friends had both the front and back side of their hands done, and one even had the back and front sides of both hands! :)

The henna took quite a while to dry completely. Maybe an hour or more. It was applied with a funnel and tip, much like icing for a cake. As it dried, it cracked, and eventually fell off, leaving the dark orange design behind. I understand that the henna should last for several days, fading each day, and may last up to a couple of weeks.


Dressed up and ready to head out to the Mehndi


scattered flower petals led the way to the villa


My fresh flower bracelet


Close up of the pretty cocktail table setting


Dan, Nicole, Dennis and Paula


The dessert room


Looks like a Wayne Thiebaud painting come to life!


Mmmmmm.... cupcakes!


Fondant cakes shaped like handbags


even more desserts (or "Lady Treats", as Nicole calls them


Food table


Even the bread display was beautiful!


The landing to the stairs was converted into an indoor/outdoor garden


Close up of the food table


they brought in two ducks to swim in the pool during the party


One of my appitizers - an olive, mozzarella cheese ball and tomato infused with basil olive oil


Paula getting her henna done


my henna artist working on my hand


getting my henna on.... literally!


Paula and Trina showing our henna art


Pavan, the beautiful bride comes out for her henna ceremony


Pavan seated with her friends and family


The bottom of Nicole's hands


Showing off my henna hand


Nicole, Paula and Trina


a seating area on the beach - I think they were planning a bon fire


Pretty Paula and her color-coordinated cupcake


The indoor/outdoor garden lit


A close-up of my desert


The underside of Paula's hand as the henna dries


The bride getting her henna hands done


My hand after the henna has dried