What to ask before booking a mehendi artist

Wedding-season bookings go wrong in predictable ways. Ask these five things of anyone you are considering, myself included.

1. What is in the cone?

Natural henna stains orange first and deepens over two days. Anything that goes black within the hour contains PPD and can burn. Ask directly.

2. How many bookings that day?

An artist with three bookings on your wedding morning will rush yours. I take one bridal booking a day for exactly this reason.

3. Is the price final?

Ask what is included and what is extra — feet, guests, travel, early start. Get it in writing on WhatsApp.

4. Can I see the actual design first?

Not a portfolio of someone else’s work. The specific design, agreed in advance.

5. What happens if the date moves?

Dates shift. Know the policy before you pay anything.