this was a unique henna save the date engagement photoshoot

When Pratima contacted me to book me for her Save The Date engagement photoshoot on Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, I reserved the date for her. When she told me she wanted to do something unique for her Save The Date, I was intrigued. When she told me she wanted to do a Mehndi Save The Date, I was VERY excited.

If you are unsure what it’s all about, Mehndi is a form of body art from ancient India, in which decorative designs are drawn on the body using a paste from powdered dry leaves of the henna plant. It is usually applied the night before the wedding during a Mehndi ceremony. It’s a way of wishing the bride good health and prosperity as she takes the step into married life. However, many couples are now using this tradition to celebrate in many different ways.

As you probably know from my photography portfolio, I love Indian weddings and engagement sessions. In fact, I love anything to do with the Indian culture, heritage, and traditions. Team that with color, music, food, and lots of family, I’m hooked.

I met Pratima and her fiancé, Mick at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard. Pratima had hired Jade Maxx, a local Designer + Henna Artist to do her artistry. I’ve seen lots of henna art applied to brides and brides-to-be in my years as a photographer, but I never get tired of watching how the detailed and intricate designs are expertly applied to the hands and feet.

Before the henna dried and cracked, I started photographing Pratima’s beautiful Mehndi Save The Date. The Riverside Hotel has a beautiful courtyard garden, but we also walked down my favorite photography location, Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.