Ask a mehndi artist what goes into their henna, whether they offer a patch test, how long your bridal design will take and when to have it done, how many guests they can cover in an evening, and what the price includes. Avoid so-called black henna. Each question below comes with a line on why it matters.
Start here
The henna itself
- Do you mix your own henna, and what is in it? Ask for the full ingredient list, including any essential oils. A good artist will tell you without hesitating, and it matters if anyone in the family has allergies.
- Can I have a patch test first? A small test a few weeks before is sensible, especially if you have sensitive skin or allergies.
- What colour should I expect, and how long does it last? Ask them to explain how the stain develops and what affects it, such as heat and aftercare.
- What aftercare do you recommend? Ask how long to leave the paste on, and what to avoid in the first day.
The bridal session
Design and timing
- Can we see your recent bridal work, including close-ups? Look at fine lines, symmetry and how full designs look on real hands, not just on paper.
- How long will my design take? Full bridal designs on hands, arms and feet take hours. Plan food, breaks and good light.
- When should I have it done before the wedding? Many brides have it one or two days before so the stain deepens. Your artist will know their henna best.
- Can you add names, dates or personal motifs? Hidden initials and small symbols are common. Share ideas early.
- Do you offer a trial? A small trial helps you both agree the style before the day.
The mehndi night
Guests and logistics
- How many guests can you do per hour, and how many artists will come? For a busy mehndi night you may need a small team. Ask for simple designs that can be done quickly.
- Is the price per guest, per hour or a set fee? Know how the guest price works and what counts as one hand.
- Do you travel to us, and is travel in the price? Ask about mileage and parking, especially if the session is at home.
- What do you need from us? A table, good light, a plug socket, and somewhere quiet for the bride.
- Do you hold public liability insurance? Some venues ask for it before an artist can work there.
Before you pay
Paperwork and payment
- How much is the deposit, and when is the balance due? Get both in writing, along with the times and number of guests.
- What happens if we cancel, or if you cannot come? Ask who would replace them and what you are owed. Our deposit and booking checklist explains your rights as general information.
Booking on Nodus
Where Nodus fits
On Nodus you can message mehndi artists, share your date and ceremony in one enquiry, and keep every reply in one thread. Packages and itemised quotes are coming. When you book, you pay a deposit to confirm, then the balance before your event, each paid directly to your vendor through Stripe. Each artist's own terms are shown alongside every quote.
Read the full mehndi night planning guide, what mehndi means across traditions, and well-known mehndi artists in Bradford and Manchester.
Questions
Ask what is in their henna, whether they offer a patch test, how long the bridal design takes, when to have it done before the wedding, how many guests they can cover per hour, whether travel is included and the deposit and cancellation terms.
No. So-called black henna often contains a hair dye called PPD. The British Skin Foundation says using PPD on the skin in this way is illegal in the UK and can cause blistering and burns. Real henna stains orange to brown.
It depends on the design and how far up the arms and legs it goes, so ask the artist for an estimate for your design. Detailed full bridal designs can take several hours, so plan a quiet slot with food and breaks.
Many brides have it done one or two days before the wedding so the stain deepens in time. Ask your artist when they recommend for their henna and your skin.
Yes. There is no exclusivity on Nodus. Many families book a bridal artist and a second artist or team for guests at the mehndi night.