TWENTY-ONE AND UP FOR FUN

MY 21ST BIRTHDAY PARTY

I'd had my heart set on a bollywood themed party ever since I travelled to India at 18. I bought the pink and cerulean saree in Dehli and have kept it neatly folded in a drawer ever since, awaiting its occasion.

Three months of solid planning did I invest in this endeavour, and when the date finally rolled around, I couldn't quite believe it was actually happening. Guests came from far and wide to Edinburgh: London, France, Italy ... I can't tell you how touching it is when you see someone arriving in full regalia with a big grin on their face. It absolutely poured with rain for days before and for the duration of the party, and 15 minutes before my guests arrived I was up to my elbows in mud, desperately trying to salvage what remained of my set-up for a 'garden' party and on my knees in darkness in the tent, re-fusing a lighting rig damaged by rain. I've never gotten ready quicker in my life - 3 and a half minutes - a new record!

I was completely overwhelmed the whole night: by everyone's costumes, by the divine presents (including my beautiful Taj-esque cake hand baked by my sister) and the divine presences of people who have meant the world to me the last 21 years.  Ten hours disappeared in a bottle of Cobra beer and a waft of incense (I still had time to fit in an outfit change of course) and I woke up the next morning thinking 'Oh...it's over!' and wished I could do it all again, and pay better attention this time.

photographs by David Hall
The Indian tent is handmade in Rajasthan, provided by Delightfully Lavish Events. I would wholeheartedly recommend.