Wedding mehendi is a one-shot event - there's no redo if the artist doesn't show up or the work is rushed. A few checks before booking go a long way. Look for a real, dated portfolio. Ask when the photos were taken, or check if the platform timestamps uploads. Artists who've been active recently (not just a handful of old photos) are a safer bet. Read the reviews that mention specific events - "did my sister's wedding mehendi in Andheri" is more trustworthy than a generic five-star rating with no comment. Multiple independent reviews mentioning punctuality and finish quality are a strong signal. Ask about their experience with your specific style. An artist who's excellent at delicate Arabic patterns isn't automatically great at dense Rajasthani bridal work. Ask directly, and ask for examples in that exact style. Confirm they carry their own cones/paste and know what's in it. Some cheaper cones use harsh chemical additives for a faster black stain - these can cause skin reactions, especially on sensitive or first-time users. A professional artist will happily tell you what they use. Avoid full advance payments to someone with no verifiable history. A partial booking confirmation fee is normal; being asked for 100% payment upfront from an artist with no reviews or portfolio is a common red flag in unverified bookings. Prefer platforms that verify identity and portfolio before listing an artist. It removes most of the guesswork above and gives you a real person to escalate to if something goes wrong - which matters far more on your wedding day than it does on any other day of the year.