Mehndi Jewellery: Which Set Suits a Green, Pastel or White Outfit

Mehndi jewellery is easiest to choose by the colour of your outfit. Pink, white and multicolour sets stand out against a green outfit, soft pastel sets suit a pastel or pink one, and green or bright sets suit white or ivory. Choose the colour first, then check the haathphool, because your hands will carry henna.

This guide is for a bride, or her family, choosing jewellery for the mehndi. Most of our sets are described for mehndi, and the outfit advice in those descriptions falls into three groups, which the sections below follow. For choosing the pieces themselves, read our guide on how to choose haldi jewellery.

For a green mehndi outfit

Green is the outfit our descriptions name most often for mehndi, and many of our sets say they stand out against a green mehndi outfit. Most of those are pink, white or a mix of colours, because a lighter or warmer set gives the necklace something to stand apart from.

• Pink. The Chic Blossoms set has hot pink and pale blush flowers holding clusters of pearl-look beads, with teardrop drops below. Its page says the pinks stand out against a yellow haldi outfit or a green mehndi outfit.
• Ivory and cream. The Heer set has cowrie shells in clusters of small cream beads, with strands of pearl-look beads and a fringe of shell drops. Its pale tones are quieter than pink.
• Pink with green. The Flourishing Floral set is acrylic, in deep pink and mehndi green with white beads. Its page suggests it for a pastel pink, green or ivory outfit, so it works when your green is soft rather than deep.

If your green outfit is heavily embroidered, choose one of the plainer sets, so the outfit and the jewellery do not compete.

For a pastel or pink outfit

A pastel outfit is lighter, so a set with too much colour can overpower it. Our pastel resin sets are made for this: soft flowers in two or three shades, with small white or pearl-style beads.

The Beaded Blooms set, pictured in this section, has pink flowers with yellow centres among pale blue and green leaves. Its page says the pastel mix suits a pink, blue or white outfit for a mehndi, sangeet or godh bharai.

For a lilac outfit, the purple resin set has lavender and pink petals beside white flowers, with pearl-style beads and a gold-tone chain. It is a statement necklace with large floral hoop earrings, and its page says the soft colours suit a pastel, lilac or white outfit.

On a pink outfit, avoid a set in the same shade of pink, because the necklace merges into the fabric. A set that mixes pink with blue, green or white keeps a visible step between the two.

For a white, ivory or cream outfit

A pale outfit can take more colour, so this is where green and bright sets work best.

The green pearl-beaded set, pictured in this section, is worked in olive green and yellow thread with dark green stones, and finished with white drops and green beads. It includes a maang tikka, drop earrings, a choker necklace and a haathphool with a ring. Its page says green suits a mehndi outfit and shows well against yellow, ivory or white.

Green is a natural choice here, because it carries the mehndi colour into the jewellery without the outfit having to. Bright mixed sets work too. Many of our yellow and pink sets say they stand out against a white or pastel outfit, which makes them an option if you want the same set for haldi and mehndi.

Avoid an all-white set on a white outfit. The jewellery disappears, especially in daylight photographs.

Hands, haathphool and one set for two functions

At mehndi your hands and wrists carry the henna, so the haathphool needs thought. Most of our mehndi sets include a haathphool, and many of their pages advise putting it on only after your mehndi has dried. Wear the necklace, earrings and maang tikka first, and add the haathphool later for photographs.

Many sets are described for both haldi and mehndi, so one set can cover two functions. The Floral Fantasy resin set, pictured at the top, has bright yellow and pink flowers on green leaves, linked by strands of small yellow beads. Its page says the colours suit a yellow haldi outfit and a green or pink mehndi outfit. It includes a maang tikka, earrings, a choker necklace and two haathphool.

Before you buy one set for both days, lay both outfits side by side and hold the set against each. If it suits only one, choose it for the outfit that matters more to you.

What to check before you order

1. The photographs. Look at every image, so you see the set worn as well as on its own.
2. The title and description. The description names the colours and materials, and it is more reliable than the title alone.
3. Your own outfit. Hold the set against the real fabric in daylight.
4. The pieces included. Check for a haathphool, and whether there is one or two.

Where to look in our collections

Start with the mehndi jewellery sets. If you want one set for both functions, see the haldi jewellery sets for the bride.

Final thoughts

Choose your mehndi jewellery by the outfit: pink, white or multicolour on green, soft pastels on pastel or pink, and green or bright colours on white. Then plan the haathphool around your henna.

Quick checklist

• Fix the outfit colour before choosing the set.
• Avoid the same shade as the outfit.
• Check the set includes a haathphool.
• Put the haathphool on after your mehndi dries.
• Hold the set against both outfits if it is for two functions.