What a bridal mehendi costs, explained

Bridal mehendi in Lucknow can cost anything from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000, and most of that difference comes down to three things: how much skin is covered, how detailed the design is and how many hours of an experienced artist it takes.

Our bridal hands start at ₹11,000 for both hands, front and back, up to the elbow, in about six hours. Adding feet to the ankle is ₹4,500. Taking the design to the shoulder adds roughly two hours and ₹4,000. A figure design, with the couple and baraat scenes drawn in, starts at ₹16,500 because it needs a second artist and a careful drawing beforehand.

Your quote should list a few other things. The trial is ₹1,500, adjusted against the booking. Travel within Lucknow is included; outside the city we charge fuel and tolls at cost. Guest mehendi on the same day is ₹400 per hand, or a home party package of ₹7,500 for two artists and up to 20 guests.

What should not appear later is a surprise. We write all of this down after your trial, and the price does not change unless you change the design. If a quote seems very low, ask how long the artist plans to spend and what henna they use. A bridal design drawn in two hours, or with a cone that stains in minutes, will not look the same on the day.