What’s the Haldi Ceremony?
Held typically one day before the wedding, the Haldi ceremony (also known as Pithi, Gaye Holud, or Tel Baan in various regions) involves smearing the bride and groom with a paste of turmeric, rose water, and milk community.weddingwire.in+4meltingflowers.com+4hemantevents.com+4The Knot+1The Times of India+1. Turmeric symbolizes purification, auspicious beginnings, and is believed to enhance skin glow while warding off the evil eye The Times of India. The application is usually done by close family and friends, with upbeat music and playful rituals—often turning into a joyful festive gathering petermahar.com.
What’s the Mehendi Party?
Often held the same day or a day earlier, the Mehendi ceremony is a creative celebration centered around applying intricate henna designs on the bride’s palms, feet, and sometimes arms The Times of India+15daphotostudio.com+15mehndi.blog+15. Close female relatives and guests often get simpler mehendi designs done too. According to tradition, a darker henna stain symbolizes deeper groom’s love and stronger marriage bonds melissasheltonphotography.com.
Some couples combine both—first Haldi, then Mehendi, with clear planning so mehendi can dry properly before starting the other ritual RedditReddit.
🎨 Decoration & Theme Ideas
Haldi Décor Inspiration
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Bright yellow marigold garlands, flower canopies, gold drapes, and lotus motifs enhance the auspicious theme etsy.com+4The Knot+4The Knot+4.
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Set up a beautifully decorated bride/groom seating area with canopy and floral backdrop—accentuated by rustic pots and earthy tones manyavar.comblog.getsholidays.com.
Mehendi Party Aesthetic
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Bohemian lounge-style setups with cushions, fabrics, wooden furniture, lanterns, and fairy lights create a relaxed and vibrant vibe nestmatrimony.commanyavar.com.
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DIY décor—torans with mehendi motifs, ambient lighting, rangoli, colorful cushions—works beautifully and on budget weddingbazaar.comlovenspire.commeltingflowers.com.
Color Palette
Yellow and green dominate for Haldi; deeper pinks, greens, reds for Mehendi—but both events work well with vibrant and joyful tones that complement each other.
🛟 Planning & Flow
Sequence & Timing
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Haldi often begins the day before or morning of the wedding, attended by close family and friends Reddit.
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Mehendi, traditionally women-centered, can precede or follow Haldi. If on same day, Haldi should finish first to allow mehendi paste to set properly RedditReddit.
Guest Experience
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Haldi: expect energetic fun—female family members may sing traditional songs; rituals may end with tying red threads (Kangana) or giving sweets Clive Blair Photographywhatisheybailsdoing.com.
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Mehendi: live artists or a mehndi station provide designs to guests; music, games, and snacks enhance the lounge vibe