If you’re wondering about how long a bridal mehndi session typically takes with your favorite speedy henna artist, you’re in the right place!
Bring Your Inspiration – Your Time and Budget Lead the Way
Most bridal henna appointments average two to four hours, depending on how much coverage you’d like—such as both forearms and feet or a more intricate custom design. You set the amount of time you want, and that time determines the cost. There are no surprise fees- you can tell me exactly how much you’d like to spend so we don’t go over.
Share any inspiration photo you love, and I’ll create a design that captures its likeness within the time and budget you choose. I’ll simplify fine details when needed so that the finished piece reflects the overall flow and essence of your inspiration.
I do have a one-hour minimum, and in that time I can usually create simple designs on both hands and both feet. To give you a sense of scale, one hour for all four areas works out to about 15 minutes per hand or foot, so the patterns would be lighter and more streamlined than a full bridal look. You can picture what a 15-minute design might feel like—bold, elegant outlines with minimal fine detail. Throughout your appointment, I keep you updated so we never go over the time or budget you set unless you decide to add more.
Here are a few examples I’ve done in the past:
This design pictured took 2 hours and 30 minutes to apply.
That includes everything pictured. So that means it took me 2 and a half hours to apply henna to the top and underside of the hands, from fingertip up the forearm midway.
The bride had inspo pictures and described the general shape and density she wanted for the design. From there, I freestyled all elements.
Pictured is the same client’s oxidation process. They left the paste on for several hours and reported they kept warm near the fireplace.
They removed the paste without water, and we saw their final stain result at 48 hours.
This design pictured took 2 hours and 15 minutes to apply.
That includes everything pictured. So that means it took me 2 hours and 15 minutes to apply henna to both legs, from toes to up the calves, of the bride and her sister.
These designs were entirely freestyle. Although, the bride did let me know she’d like the calf, top of feet and toes to have coverage.
*Please note, I avoided placing henna paste in areas with folds to help avoid smudging (like the ankles).
This design pictured took 1 hour and 15 minutes to apply.
That includes everything pictured. So that means it took me 1 hour and 15 minutes to apply henna to the client’s shoulder, both hands on top and underside.
All designs are completely freestyle. The client did let me know the location and approximate size she wanted. As well as the time/budget she wanted to stick to.
These designs pictured took 3 hours to apply.
That includes everything pictured as well as what is in the video. This group included the bride, her bestie, her mom and mother-in-law. (4 participants in total)
So that means it took me 3 hours to apply henna to all four of the bride’s limbs (top and underside of both hands, both feet part way up the calf), the top of both hands for the bff, mother and mother-in-law.
All of the designs were completely freestyle and each person gave me guidance on about how big they wanted it.
See video to see all designs in action!
Minneapolis Mehndi & Henna 