Written by Olivia Gane

Here’s the thing about a group of giggling women: they only get louder with Chandon! It doesn’t matter what time of day the gathering starts; they’ll always find a way to get caught up in the chatter and loop the clock before the party’s over.

I recently attended a beautiful bridal shower, held at a country home with exactly this type of women. Even though most of us were strangers, we were bubbly like the drinks and up for a great time. There was no space for awkwardness in such a welcoming environment, thanks to the magnificent set up by Exotic Soirees. I decided to take notes- what made this setting so special, and how can I recreate the magic for my next soiree?

You couldn’t imagine a more elegant display- a sparkling chandelier overlooked a low wooden table adorned with golden-cuffed napkins, Moroccan candle holders, and a vibrant array of native flora. Intricate Marrakesh rugs in colours of deep magenta lay beneath effortlessly placed cushions of soft pink and white. They were the perfect addition to a ladies’ afternoon picnic, covered with soft tassels and tufts that complemented the flowing dresses of the bridal party guests. Everything was coordinated and picture-book perfect… unlike the guests after some hours of cork-popping!

The world around us shrunk to the size of the fruit punch vase as we kept hydrated in the heat. There was no need for male entertainment- the act of balancing on the leather pouffe cushions kept us quite amused! We listened to love stories from the bride-to-be, finding ourselves romanced by the charming scene around us. I observed the flow of champagne and laughter as I enjoyed French pastries and appetisers from the high tea stands. As we lounged in the shade, the sweet scent of jasmine wafted through on an afternoon breeze-  it must’ve been a modern Jane Austen fairy-tale.

 Photography couldn’t capture the atmospheric tranquillity I had experienced, made by the people I was with under the small white marquee with the starry roof. What a fantastic day.

 My tips:

• Pick a theme– it’s so much easier to engage people if the overall aesthetic is cohesive, and therefore worth noting.
• Pouffes for the win – who needs chairs when you could have a comfortable option far closer to the ground? Keeps the drink flowing- it can only be funny when someone falls back two inches from the ground (and far safer).
• Rugs a million – Experiment with your style by layering different patterns and textures to create your masterpiece. There’s nothing more exciting that building a fort outside, so go all the way and floor it!
• Take care with Tableware – It’s like dressing your food for a Sunday outing. Take it to church with gold and silver cutlery, cloth napkins and candles to create the ultimate luxurious vibe.