The pre-wedding Mehendi ceremony in Uttar Pradesh Weddings is a joyous occasion celebrating the upcoming marriage. In ancient Vedic practice, symbolic motifs and the henna colour hold rich cultural significance. Women danced, sang folk songs, and even told stories to prepare the bride for a happy marriage. Today, joint Mehendi functions hosted by the groom and bride give both sides another chance to get to know each other better.

The core significance of applying Mehendi is to utilise its medicinal properties. Mehendi designs, besides having aesthetic value, also have cooling properties. Applied to the nerve endings in the hands and feet of the bride, it helps to relieve any pre-wedding anxiety. In many parts of India, including Uttar Pradesh, henna is associated with good luck and prosperity. Even the motifs used in Mehendi patterns are symbolic. For instance, paisley represents fertility, lotus purity, peacock beauty, butterfly change, and flower vitality.

Brides in Uttar Pradesh are traditional yet trendy. While olive and mehendi green were predominant colours, new-age brides used vibrant orange, yellow, and pink hues. Every outfit is adorned with intricate designs, from a traditional lehenga to a saree. A colourful dupatta is often draped over the shoulders or head, giving the bride a stunning look. Few brides opt for heavily embellished designer Indian gowns with short sleeves or sleeveless. However, the attire for the Mehendi ceremony must be colourful and comfortable.

The groom’s Mehendi attire consists of a bright kurta, often matching the bride’s outfit. It is worn with a pyjama, churidar, or dhoti. Few grooms may even opt for a stylish jacket or stole over their kurta. Sherwani is another typical Mehendi attire worn by a groom, but it is less elaborate than the wedding sherwani. The groom completes the look with Indian footwear called mojris or juttis. Today, every dapper groom in Uttar Pradesh is making a style statement at his Mehendi ceremony.

The bride and groom wear vibrant statement pieces during the Mehendi ceremony in Uttar Pradesh. The bride may wear a meenakari polki choker to enhance the beauty of her traditional outfit. Several brides prefer to wear gold necklaces with dangling earrings called Jhumkis. These days, there is a vast collection of flower jewellery explicitly designed for the Mehendi ceremony. Maang tikkas, necklaces, and earrings made from fresh or artificial flowers boost the spirit of the occasion. Since this flower jewellery is not overly expensive, the bride need not worry about staining it - it can be used once and discarded. Mostly, during the Mehendi ceremony, the bride only wears jewellery on her forehead, neck, and ears.

On the Mehendi day, depending on the outfit, the groom may even wear a gold chain with or without a pendant. Some grooms also wear a decorative brooch that can signify family heritage and pride, often passed down through generations. Overall, the jewellery worn by the groom and bride during their Mehendi ceremony is lightweight, comfortable, unique, and trendy. It also has aesthetic appeal and is rooted in Indian traditions.