Spring is finally in the air! What better way to celebrate the start of Spring than with a festive tea party?! Whether you are hosting a shower or birthday party or celebrating Easter, it is the perfect time to gather your friends and family and enjoy some of that gorgeous sunshine with a pot of tea and some sweet treats!
If you’ve never hosted a tea party before, it can be a bit intimidating. There is a sense of formality associated with them that can be a little overwhelming. So! We have provided you with tips and tricks to create the perfect gathering! Without further ado, let’s take a walk through Tea Party Hosting 101.
- Choose a Theme
The theme will dictate the formality of your tea party and can easily be tailored to the interests of your guests. Traditional British tea parties are always fun and a bit fancier, but be sure to pay attention to the interests of your guests. If they are younger, a princess theme may be popular. If they like Paris, a French theme would be super cute. The ideas are endless. One of my personal favorite themes is an Alice in Wonderland themed tea party. Even with this theme, you can use bright colors and decorate it with more of a “Mad Hatter” style or you can use black and red and decorate it with the “Queen of Hearts” in mind! Check out how I styled my Alice in Wonderland themed party here!
Stay tuned for Part 2 of “Hosting a Tea Party” and for how I partnered with Holiday Warehouse to style a magical and whimsical Alice in Wonderland Easter Tea Party!
- Choose a Location
The location of your tea party should be dependent on the weather. If it is warm and sunny outside, a garden, terrace, or nearby park is a great choice. However, an indoor tea party in your dining room is also beautiful.
- Choose the Date and Time
The time of your tea party is very important, as it will dictate what kind of food you will serve. Low teas are typically held mid-afternoon between meal times, while high teas are traditionally between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Choose the Guest List and Send Invitations
Customize your invites to the theme of your party. You can easily make your own, send a digital one through Evite or Paperless Post, or there are some super cute ones you can order through Etsy! I recommend sending your invitations out about 2-3 weeks before your event so you will have a final RSVP count a week in advance for menu planning purposes.
- Plan the Menu
The menu is very much determined by the time of the event. If you are hosting a “low tea” or mid-afternoon tea, chances are it is between meal times, so less food is needed. A few sweet and savory snacks such as pastries, scones, and tea sandwiches on a three-tiered stand is perfect. Proper etiquette recommends serving the scones first followed by the tea sandwiches and then sweets. High-teas served during meal times usually require more substantial food such as savory hors d’oeuvres like quiche, meat pies, or a light soup or salad.
I also like to serve a few little desserts such as macarons and decorated cookies. These types of sweets can help emphasize the theme of your event. Be sure to check out Part 2 of “Hosting a Tea Party.” We will share our customized tea party menu plus we will talk about the most delicious macarons from We the Birds Macarons and the beautifully decorated cookies from The Best Dressed Cookie and how they made this Wonderland come to life!
As far as beverages go, serve at least one black tea such as an Earl Grey or Darjeeling, one herbal tea, and one decaffeinated tea such as a chamomile. I also recommend serving one pot of black coffee in case one of your guests is not a tea drinker. If you want to include a chilled tea as well, my favorite is a fresh peach tea!
- Decorate your table or room.
Now for the most important part of setting up your tea party and conveying your theme…decorations! Decorations are what make a simple gathering into its own little world for your guests. A traditional tea party usually has a simple tablecloth with your best silverware and china. Small plates and floral patterned teacups and tea pots help create a conventional atmosphere. Don’t worry if your china doesn’t match though. It is a fun and cute way to spice up your party!
Use your theme to draw inspiration for additional decor! Place an elegant flower arrangement as a centerpiece and be sure to include the necessary tea related items such as a small pitcher for cream or milk, sugar container, honey/lemons, and a display of tea for your guests to select.
In Part 2 of “Hosting a Tea Party” we will share how we decorated for our Alice in Wonderland themed tea party!
7. Time to Sip Some Tea!
Now that you have decorated, prepared your menu, and set your table, it is time to party! Enjoy your customized tea party with your friends and family!
Photography by Beckley & CO.
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