What to Buy for a Mehndi Night

A Mehndi night needs more than henna cones and decorations. Plan shopping around the guest count, the henna schedule and the way food and drinks will be served. You will need separate tableware for dinner, dessert, tea and coffee, plus serving platters and utensils that keep the buffet moving. Leave time to collect fresh produce, chill drinks and check every henna cone before guests arrive.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Bride's chair
Buffet tablesqty 3
Bar tablesqty 2
Henna tableqty 4
Stoolsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 5

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Bowlsqty 60
Tablespoonsqty 60
Forksqty 60
Knivesqty 60
Tea glassesqty 60
Water glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 16
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Table runnersqty 8
Cushionsqty 30
Decorative clothsqty 12
Artificial flowersqty 30
Flower vasesqty 10
LED candlesqty 30
Lanternsqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Welcome sign
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 20
Name badgesqty 60
Card box
Gift table sign
Henna inspiration cardsqty 30

Equipment

Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Microphone
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Food warmersqty 6
Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Ice cube traysqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2
Serving jugsqty 6
Teapotsqty 4
Milk jugsqty 4
Sugar bowlsqty 4
Cooling carafeqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Batteriesqty 24
Night lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 12

Catering

Henna conesqty 80
Henna applicator bottlesqty 20
Henna aftercare oilqty 6
Disposable napkinsqty 300
Paper strawsqty 100
Takeaway containersqty 60
Tealight candlesqty 40
Wedding cake knife
Groceries
- Basmati rice - 6 kilo
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Lentils - 3 kilos
- Potatoes - 8 kilos
- Onions - 4 kilos
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Ginger - 500 grams
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Spinach - 2 kilo
- Cauliflower - 3 pieces
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Limes - 2 kilos
- Fresh coriander - 10 bunches
- Fresh mint - 8 bunches
- Yogurt - 5 liters
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Cooking cream - 4 liters
- Paneer - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast - 6 kilo
- Lamb mince - 3 kilos
- Naan bread - 60 pieces
- Pita bread - 40 pieces
- Puff pastry - 3 kilo
- Wheat flour - 4 kilos
- Chickpea flour - 2 kilo
- Sugar - 5 kilo
- Icing sugar - 2 kilos
- Honey - 2 jars
- Dates - 2 kilos
- Raisins - 1 kilo
- Almonds - 1 kilo
- Pistachios - 1 kilo
- Cashews - 1 kilo
- Dried coconut - 500 gram
- Baklava - 3 kilo
- Gulab jamun - 60 pieces
- Mangoes - 20 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Apples - 20 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Chai tea - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 packs
- Green tea - 1 pack
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Lemonade - 6 bottles
- Mango Juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Cumin - 250 grams
- Turmeric - 250 gram
- Curry powder - 250 grams
- Coriander powder - 250 grams
- Garam masala - 250 grams
- Chili powder - 150 grams
- Cardamom - 100 gram
- Cinnamon sticks - 100 gram
- Cloves - 100 grams
- Bay leaves - 1 bag
- Tomato puree - 8 tubes
- Mango chutney - 4 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Yogurt sauce - 3 liters
- Chili sauce - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Aluminium trays - 30 pieces
- Food storage containers - 20 pieces

Tips

Plan at least one dinner plate, dessert plate, bowl, fork, knife and tablespoon per guest, then add 10% extra for breakages and unexpected guests.
Match tea glasses, water glasses and coffee cups to the guest count rather than relying on one type of drinkware. A separate set prevents queues when tea and coffee are served after dinner.
Buy or collect buffet equipment before the food delivery arrives: serving platters, tongs and serving spoons should be ready on the buffet tables, not still in packaging.
Keep the henna area separate from food service. Prepare the henna table, stools and any seating supplies before the first appointment, and check the cones on the day of the event.
Finish fresh-produce shopping no more than 24 hours before the Mehndi night where possible. Chill drinks several hours ahead and place waste bins near the buffet, bar and henna area.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a Mehndi night?: Plan food and drinks, dinner and dessert tableware, tea and coffee service, buffet serving pieces, seating, waste bins, henna-table supplies and decorations. For tableware, start with one complete setting per guest plus 10% extra.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a Mehndi night?: Use one dinner plate, dessert plate and bowl per guest, plus 10% spare. Buy or hire enough water glasses for everyone and separate tea glasses and coffee cups for the number of guests you expect to serve at once.
When should I buy food for a Mehndi night?: Buy packaged goods and drinks several days in advance, but collect fresh produce within 24 hours of the event. Chill drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive so they are ready when the bar opens.
How many henna cones do I need?: Base the quantity on your appointment schedule and artists, then keep at least 10% extra cones available. Check the cones on the day of the event and replace any that are dried out, leaking or blocked.

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