Mehendi to Reception: How to Stay Energetic and Radiant Through the Wedding Functions
9 Nov 2026
It's 1:40am and your sangeet playlist is on its 3rd ‘one last song’! Your feet are exhausted from the heels, you’ve been reminded that the pandit wants everyone ready by 5 and to top it off you need to sew your lehenga, you’re debating eating that 4th gulab jamun and your phone is pinging with 63 messages from the decorator. If this sounds familiar, then this is the article for you! These wedding wellness tips will help you make it through the chaos!
A Little Buffer
While you can’t save sleep, you can avoid becoming overtired!
Try to get into a routine. You might not be able to get a full 8 hours sleep but aim for a consistent amount each night for the first few nights. This will make your later nights much easier.
Gentle skincare. To keep your skin glowing during your wedding photos, use your usual cleanser/ moisturiser/ sunscreen. Avoid using new facial treatments, peels and products. If you wish to do a facial, talk to your dermatologist well in advance.
Stay hydrated. Always have your bottle of water with you. It’s much easier to build up a habit.
Mehendi
You may be sat for 3-6 hours during this. However, since it's calm before the storm, try to make the most out of it!
Eat. Once your hands are covered in cones you’ll be fed hand-fed samosas and chai. Try to eat properly before you start.
Sit properly. Sit with your arms propped up on a cushion and back supported. Every 30 minutes move around. This will help to avoid stiff shoulders and sore necks which are the most common complaints.
Enjoy your stain. Add a little lemon sugar to the dried paste to help your stain become darker. For you, keep a bottle of water with you. Using a straw will help as your hands aren’t working. Don’t rely on your chai!
Haldi
This is the most picture perfect function and therefore the most lax. You’ll forget to care for your skin.
If you have sensitive skin, patch test. Although turmeric is traditional to use, it can cause irritation on some skins. If you have sensitive skin, ask your dermatologist.
Gently wash your skin. Wash your skin using lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser. Moisturise. Don’t scrub your skin! Any slight tinge will fade after a day or two.
Wear loose clothing. During the summer months this can be a test of your heat tolerance. Wear loose cotton and have a drink of coconut water or nimbu pani between photos. Have a break in the shade.
Sangeet
This is the late night marathon! You’ll be rehearsing, performing and having dinner at 11pm.
Eat a healthy snack. To avoid diving into your first plate of greasy starters, eat something healthy containing protein and fibre. Paratha with curd, a handful of nuts or a sandwich.
Stay hydrated. Every few songs have a glass of water. Dancing in a heavy outfit with bright lights can actually dehydrate you! Especially in the summer.
Set a limit. Decide how late you’ll be going to bed. If your muhurat is at sunrise, you don’t want to be the last one dancing!
Wedding Day (Pheras)
This will start the earliest and will be the longest! Plan ahead.
Have a drink and something light. Before the madness starts at 5am, have a banana, poha or toast. After hours of rituals on an empty stomach you’ll feel dizzy especially in a heavy bridal lehenga/sherwani.
Sit down. Whilst doing the rituals, sit down. Take your shoes off if possible. Ask a sibling or friend to remind you to have a drink and eat.
Take deep breaths. Before the pheras take 3 deep breaths. Things will go wrong but no-one will really notice. Delegate decisions to your coordinator/family and just relax.
Reception
You may feel tired but you’re the main event! Pace yourself.
Eat. You’ll be saying hello to your guests for hours! It’s hard to eat whilst taking photos. Have a proper meal beforehand to avoid a headache.
Avoid heavy foods. Although the ghee filled gravies, fried starters and oily mithai look tasty, have small portions to keep you comfortable in your tight outfit. Have what you love but in smaller amounts.
Have a 5 minute break. Hide away for 5 minutes. Sit down, have a drink of water and touch up your makeup. If you’re wearing heels all night, bring along flats or comfy juttis for the final hour.
Survival Kit
Ask a trusted cousin or friend to bring along this ‘emergency bag’.
Electrolyte sachets / ORS
Bottle of water (refillable)
Safety pins and mini sewing kit
Light snack (nuts, dates, granola bar)
Oil blotting papers and compact powder
Lip balm and small moisturiser
Pain killers and antacids (only if you normally take these and your doctor is ok with it).
Flats or cushioned slippers
Hand sanitiser and wipes
Phone charger/power bank
Common Mistakes
Don’t skip meals to leave room for dinner. You’ll be starving and overeating. Have small meals throughout the day.
Don’t try a new facial/product. Breakouts and reactions love to happen at the worst times. Stick to what you know works.
Don’t swap water for tea/coffee/fizzy drinks. Caffeine won’t hydrate you!
Ignore any discomfort. Tight shoes, itchy fabric and sore backs will only get worse. Sort it out asap and if it feels worse see a doctor.
Don’t sacrifice sleep. Often an extra hour of sleep will do more for your face than any serum!
Remember...
You don’t have to be perfect to feel good during your wedding or someone else's! Just eat something real before any major events, keep hydrated and try to sleep. This is most of bridal self care! Anything else is a bonus. Have fun dancing, eating mithai and enjoying the madness. You’ll remember this week for ages!