I honestly think that Julie and Mark must be the coolest parents ever to throw a spectacular Lord of the Rings costumed party for their daughter Sophie’s 21st birthday!

Some 120 guests who were invited to the party shire donned their pointy ears, put on their furry hobbit feet and dug out their old Celtic cloaks for Sophie’s special day. A crowd of Gandalfs, Saurons, Frodos and Galadriels were warmly and gracefully greeted by Sophie, dressed in a gorgeous full length jewel-encrusted ballgown and Lord of the Rings elven diadem, and her parents.

Sophie’s girlfriends channelled princess’s attendants. The lawn with the festive maypole became the arena for swordsmen(women) and archers who tested their valour on the battleground. Giant flowers and sacks of King Elfward potatoes with added pixie dust decorated the hobbit hole marquee with the famous sign “No admittance except on party business”.

The ale was flowing into earthenware goblets as freely as were the conversations at the tables. An impressive feast of oysters, lobsters, giant ham and other treats waited to be consumed. What a party!

Sophie cut a cute hobbit hole birthday cake custom made by Liggy’s Cakes. The cake cutting was followed by lots of energetic Ceilidh dancing and a great sounding Scottish band led by Grant Dinwoodie whom I photographed earlier in his Le Haggis cabaret act at Big Burns Supper.

I enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere, vibrant mood and feeling created by everyone and felt privileged to photograph this party. As I was leaving the action was in full swing, Sophie and her guests dancing their feet off!

Many thanks to the creative suppliers who managed to brings Middle Earth to Rushwell:

Alan and Lorna at Lowland Marquees
Peter and his catering team at Caterbirds
Liggy’s Cake Company in Glasgow and Edinburgh
Singer Grant Dinwoodie and his band Single Malt

Marquee transformed into the hobbit shire
Marquee transformed into the hobbit shire
Giant veggies outside the round door
Giant magic veggies outside the round door
Outdoor party decor
Outdoor party decor
Hobbit door sign
Door sign

At the beginning of the party we went to the bank of a little lake at the back of the house for family portraits and some photos of the birthday girl.

Sophie with her mum and dad before the party
Sophie with her mum and dad before the party
The family
The family
Sophie by the lake
Sophie by the lake
A little portrait
A little portrait
I love the diadem - it's very Lord of the Rings!
I love the diadem – it’s very Lord of the Rings!
Sophie in the gazebo on the other side of the lake
Sophie in the gazebo on the other side of the lake
Little dog guarding
Little dog guarding
Sophie and her boyfriend
Sophie and her boyfriend

Outside the hobbit hole afterwards:

Sophie with her parents in the doorway
Sophie with her parents in the doorway
Her girldfriends play princess's attendants
Her girldfriends play princess’s attendants
Sophie sees new costumed guests
Sophie sees new costumed guests
Guests bearing gifts
Guests bearing gifts
Mark as Gandalf the Grey
Mark as Gandalf the Grey
Julie with some hobbits
Julie with some hobbits
"Hairy" feet
“Hairy” feet
... and another pair of hobbit feet!
… and another pair of hobbit feet!
Sauron arrives to Sophie's Lord of the Rings birthday party
Sauron arrives to Sophie’s Lord of the Rings birthday party
The more Gandalfs the merrier!
The more Gandalfs the merrier!
Elven archery
Elven archery
Swordplay at the Lord of the Rings birthday party
Swordplay
Winners and losers
Winners and losers
The fates turn
The fates turn
A really cute hobbit greets the new arrivals
A really cute hobbit greets the new arrivals
... and checks the hen house with Sophie's sister
… and checks the hen house with Sophie’s sister

Inside the hobbit hole:

Sophie's friends
Sophie’s friends
This Gandalf lost his hat
This Gandalf lost his hat
The ale flows
The ale flows

Middle Earth feast prepared by Caterbirds:

Oysters
Oysters
Lobsters
Lobsters
Whole salmon
Whole salmon
Tasty ham
Tasty ham

During the feast:

Conversations
Conversations
Pointy ears
Pointy ears
Cheers
Cheers
Fun and laughter
Fun and laughter
Sophie cutting the cake
Sophie cutting the cake to celebrate her 21st birthday
The cake made by Liggy's Cakes
The cake made by Liggy’s Cakes

The band went on stage and the dancing floor got crowded immediately:

Grant and Single Malt band
Grant and Single Malt band
Sophie dancing with Julie
Sophie dancing with Julie
Ceidlidh dancing
Ceidlidh dancing
In good spirits
In good spirits
Sophie's mum and dad on the floor
Sophie’s mum and dad on the floor
Sophie's sister with her boyfriend
Sophie’s sister with her boyfriend
Sophie's friends making some moves
Sophie’s friends making some moves
Oh, yes!
Oh, yes!

To view more of Sophie’s Lord of the Rings birthday party please feel free to click here for a slideshow!

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