Tiara Mehndi

Here are some simple tips and tricks to ensure you get the most out of your mehndi night. This has been written with large functions in mind (15+ guests). If you are having a small function most of these tips will still apply, but they can be followed loosely.

• I know I have said this before but please DO NOT have your bridal henna applied on the same day as your mehndi night! If it has to be applied on the same day then it is best to apply your henna early morning to ensure the henna has time to dry and sit on the skin. For more detail on this have a look at my Bridal Basics Blog .
• Try to give your henna artist a rough idea of guest numbers. We understand that you will never know the exact number but having an idea will help us to advise you on the best type of booking and ensures we can prepare properly. Also remember that the majority of people having henna applied will be ladies so if you are expecting for example 100 people its most like going to be around 50 to 60 people having henna applied. Though we do have a variety of tattoo style designs for men that would also like henna!
• Book your henna artist to arrive after your guests are expected. Normally henna artists charge a hourly rate for guest henna, and you want them to be able to get started straight away to make the most of the time you have booked. As with most Asian functions guests rarely turn up on time. So if the function starts at 6pm and the henna artist is booked for 6pm, in most cases the guests would have not arrived by then but your booking would have started. There are also some other factors to consider. Such as guests will need some time to settle in and greet everyone. They will most likely be hungry as they would have come after work and from our experience food normally takes priority over mehndi! With this in mind it’s best to book the henna artist to arrive after starters as this way people have eaten so they won’t put off having their henna done and they will also have time for it to dry before mains.  I would recommend having the henna artist come an 1hr to 1hr 30mins after the function is supposed to happen. I would also set aside some time at the start for close family to have their henna done. 
• Let your guests know there will be henna before the function. Or when they arrive. A lot of the time guests are surprised that there is mehndi or are unsure about whether or not they will have to pay for it. If you let them know in advance they can come prepared too as you don’t want to wear your best suit when you have henna on! It also helps to let the guests know how long the henna artist will be there for so there is no last minute rush.
• Let your guests know how much henna to expect. At mehndi nights the goal is to keep the line moving. At Tiara Mehndi we offer two light strips per guest as this way they get a nice amount of henna without it taking too long to apply. If guests are aware of what they can have before hand it helps to manage their expectations and saves us from explaining the limit to them repeatedly. Guests are also more likely to respect the host saying no. Whilst we are flattered guests would like more of our work it is not fair to other guests and we have been booked to do as many people as we can. If you have any guests that you would like to have anything heavier please let your henna artist know in advance and try to have them go first as they will take up more time. 
• Put your family first! Whilst it is important to look after your guests, the priority is close family. Let you henna artist know before the function who the main people are that need henna applied. This way we will make them a priority and make sure they are done before we leave. It’s best to have all the main people ready for when the henna artist arrives so that they can be done straight away. Most of the time I will have a close family line but then they leave and the normal guests get in queue and there’s a rush at the end. We understand that the family have lots of duties but from our experience family going first works best. If you know your family will be busy during the function, you could also book a separate session just for them. This is ideal for family members that would like something heavier too!
• Think about where to put your henna artist! If people can see henna they will want henna, so put us where we will be visible. Also whilst mehdni stages are beautiful there are quite impractical for henna to be applied on. As it is very difficult applying mehndi on the stage as well as being uncomfortable for the artist and the guest.  All we need is a table,  two chairs and light or even just two chairs if you’re stuck! Save the stage for the bride and pictures. 
• Communicate with your henna artist! All we know about your function is what you have told us. You will most likely be busy on the day and won’t have time to tell us any extra information on the day, so by telling us in advance we will be fully prepared for your night. We may also be able to advise you on some things! This is our area of expertise and Tiara Mehndi is here to make things easier for you.

Although i’m sure there’s many things I have missed these are the main points I can think of. Let me know if there’s anything else you can add.

Hope this helps!

Jaz x