/3 min read
Mehndi Jewelry Guide: Floral, Gota or Kundan?
What jewellery to wear to a mehndi night. How floral, gota and kundan sets compare, what suits the bride and guests, and practical tips for the night.
By Neha Parihar, founder
The mehndi night is usually the most relaxed event of a wedding. There is music, dancing and food, and the bride sits for hours while her hands and feet are decorated. Jewellery for this night should look bright and festive. It also needs to stay out of the way.
Most people choose between three types of mehndi jewellery: floral, gota and kundan. Each has its own feel.
Floral jewellery
Floral sets use fresh flowers or artificial flowers. They often include earrings, a maang tikka, a necklace, bracelets and sometimes a haath phool.
Why brides like it
- Very light. You can wear it for hours.
- Bright colours suit yellow, green and pink mehndi outfits.
- Looks soft and fresh in photos.
Things to know
- Fresh flowers wilt in heat. Order them for the same day and keep them cool.
- Artificial flower sets last longer and can be worn again.
- Floral pieces are delicate. Pack them in a box, not a bag.
Gota jewellery
Gota is a metallic ribbon, usually gold or silver toned. It is folded and stitched into shapes like flowers and leaves. Gota patti work is linked with Rajasthan, and gota jewellery has become popular for mehndi functions everywhere.
Why brides like it
- Light, like floral, but it lasts.
- Catches the light and shows up well at night.
- Comes in many colours to match the outfit.
Things to know
- Gota can crush if packed tightly.
- It is less formal than kundan, which is part of its charm.
Kundan jewellery
Kundan sets use glass stones in a gold toned setting. They feel more traditional and more formal.
Why brides choose it
- Looks rich in photos.
- Can be worn again at other weddings.
- Suits brides who want a more classic mehndi look.
Things to know
- Heavier than floral or gota.
- Big kundan necklaces can feel tiring if you sit for hours.
- Many brides save their heaviest kundan for the wedding day and wear a lighter kundan set at the mehndi.
Which one should you pick
There is no right answer. Ask yourself a few questions.
- How long will you sit? If your mehndi takes four or more hours, choose lighter pieces.
- What are you wearing? A light lehenga or sharara pairs well with floral or gota.
- Will you wear it again? Kundan and good gota sets can be reused. Fresh flowers cannot.
- What will your guests wear? If the family is in bright colours, floral or gota fits the mood.
Practical tips for the night
Keep your hands and wrists clear
- Skip bangles and rings until your mehndi is dry and removed.
- If you want hand jewellery, add a light haath phool after the paste dries.
- Don't wear a haath phool on wet mehndi. It will smudge the design.
Think about your hair
- A maang tikka or passa looks good with open hair or a braid.
- A parandi works well for dancing later in the night.
- Keep earrings light if you will be sitting and turning your head for hours.
Plan for comfort
- Choose earrings with support chains (sahare) if they are heavy.
- Avoid necklaces with sharp edges near your neck.
- Have someone hold a small pouch for any piece you want to take off.
For guests
Guests can have fun with mehndi jewellery too. A pair of gota or floral earrings and a few bangles is enough. Matching sets for sisters and cousins look good in group photos. Many families pick a colour theme for the night and match jewellery to it.
Caring for your mehndi pieces
- Store floral and gota pieces flat in a box.
- Keep them away from water, oil and mehndi paste.
- Let any damp piece dry in the air before you pack it.
How Outbox House can help
- Shipping is free across Canada on orders over $150, and across the US over US$200.
- Book a free appointment, in studio or on video, to see pieces up close and ask about sizing.
- Our studio is at 47 Humberstone Crescent, Brampton. See how to reach us.
We can show you floral, gota and kundan options side by side on a video call, so you can see the size and colour before you order.