Henna night

The henna night is the bride's evening before the wedding. Traditions vary from family to family and across the region, but the shape is similar: the women of both families and the bride's friends gather, usually at home or in a hall, with music, food and traditional dress, and the bride sits while her henna is drawn. Guests often have a small design on one hand as well.

Timing is practical as much as ceremonial. Henna darkens over a day or two, so a henna night two or three days before the wedding means the bride's colour is at its deepest on the day. A full bridal design takes two to three hours, so the artist is usually booked for the early part of the evening, with a second artist if many guests want henna.

When you plan one, tell the artist how many guests expect henna and what the bride wants, and give her good light and a table. Hamd Beauty draws bridal henna and henna for both hands at home, and takes group bookings.