Tea parties bring a touch of elegance to our everyday lives, making us feel a bit like a duke or duchess for the day. This fancy theme appeals to all ages and can serve as a beautiful bridal shower, birthday party, or baby shower. However, you don’t need a special occasion to throw a lovely tea party fit for royalty. Any day is a good day for a tea party! Part of the fun is planning and letting your creativity come to life in the various elements that create this thoughtful occasion.
Set the tone with the proper invitations
One of the reasons tea parties are so beloved is they let us slow down and enjoy each other’s company in a quiet, tranquil setting. That level of thoughtfulness can start with taking the time to handwrite personalized invitations.
Tea parties have a lovely formality that give guests a special feeling. You can get creative by enclosing something relevant to your party’s theme, whether that’s flower seed packets, fragrant sachets, or individual tea bags. Vintage recipe cards or postcards (particularly those from England) can act as invitation cards, giving off an antique aire.
Choosing the right tea-serving setting
“Nothing beats a dreamy outdoor garden tea party,” explains Elissa Onda, owner of Sweet Dream Sleepovers, an Atlanta-based party planning service. Whether you choose to set up chairs or attractive ground cushions, having a plan B for inclement weather is crucial, Onda stresses. “Keep in mind the amount of space needed to transfer everything indoors. It may be best to clear the space prior just in case,” she says. A covered porch, deck, or sunroom can also make a picturesque setting.
But don’t overlook the appeal and convenience of an indoor tea party. With the right dècor, you can make any area into a refined space so long as it has comfortable seating and space for your teas and treats.
Set the tea scene
The best tea party is both cozy and elegant at the same time. But don’t feel pressure to use the finest antiques. The fun of decorating a tea party is in mixing and matching items both old and new, heirloom and thrifted. With a tea party, more can be more! Fairy lights, candles, cake stands, and figurines can create a visually inviting table setting. Begin with a lovely cloth tablecloth and layer additional textiles, such as doilies, table runners, and placemats for a lush feel.
Don’t forget little niceties like linen napkins, napkin holders, delicate serving utensils, and vases for fresh flowers. Speaking of flowers, florals are a welcome pattern at any tea party table, as are toile, lace, paisley, damask, and stripes. And tiered serving stands are nearly a must. “Having the food raised above creates a lovely sweet treat centerpiece,” Onda says. It also helps maximize space so you can fit more food on your table.
One easy option is to choose a color palette of one to three colors and focus on these for all your dècor. Ask guests to dress in a particular color or pick simple decorations, such as paper party fans in colors like mint and tropical coral, to carry the theme through.
Create a party in full bloom
Tea might be the star of this party, but flowers are a close second. ”Fresh flowers are always the way to go when creating an inviting yet elegant atmosphere,” Onda says. Pre-made floral displays will save significant prep time, whether you opt for the warmth of the English countryside with pastel roses and lilies or a more elegant centerpiece package with vibrant purple flowers in different arrangement heights.
“As many flowers as you can fit” is a good motto to follow. Consider covering a table in a single type of flower, such as hydrangea or peonies, for a sophisticated look.
Pair your tea with tasty treats
A tea party menu, which is usually for brunch or lunch, focuses on three categories: savories, scones, and sweets. These items will fit perfectly on your tiered trays, with savories on the bottom, scones in the middle, and sweets on top.
Savories to sample
Tea sandwiches are the staple savory tea party fare. Elevate ordinary sandwiches with one simple upgrade – chop off their crusts! Create bite-sized portions by cutting into quarters and thirds in the shape of triangles and rectangles. Contrast colors in breads (like pumpernickel, white, and rye) with fillings like cream cheeses, chicken or egg salad, smoked salmon, and fresh veggies. Make them extra fancy with caviar and fresh herbs.
For kids, playful food choices like PB&J finger sandwiches, mini cupcakes, and marshmallow treats are the way to go, Onda suggests. A salad of mixed greens and eatable flowers also makes a pretty side dish for all ages.
Scone sweet scone
English tea standards like scones, double Devonshire cream, and blackcurrant conserves are a must for a traditional tea menu. English muffins and British crumpets, served with preserves like tart cherry, pear, and blood orange marmalade, also have a spot on the middle shelf.
No tea party is complete without sweet treats
Top off your serving trays with bite-sized delicacies. These can be anything from snack-size cookies and brownies and macarons to cake bites and tea cakes.
Brew-tiful moments with the right tea
Sampling a variety of teas is the centerpiece of any tea party. If you’re serving young tea drinkers, “steer clear of caffeinated tea for the kids,” Onda says. Instead, opt for herbal teas. “For adults,” she adds, “we recommend tea tastings and also offering Champagne (or sparkling wine) for mimosas, in addition to tea service.” A well-rounded tea sampling can include several types of black tea (such as Earl Grey, English breakfast, and Darjeeling) and green tea. Feel free to explore more flavorful varieties, such as pomegranate blueberry, orchard peach, and cherry.
Individual tea bags are a convenient option for offering more varieties of tea. However, if you want to be a traditionalist, whole tea is the way to go. Consider serving at least four varieties. A 30-ounce portion will offer about five servings, so a few teapots should suffice for a small group. Use tea towels, tea cozies, or team warmers to keep the tea warm throughout the party.
Another option is to allow guests to brew individual cups of tea using a tea infuser. With adorable animal options like a hedgehog, bunny, sloth, and koala, these infusers make the perfect party favor for guests as well.
Steeped in fun tea party entertainment
Typically, the food, beverages, and conversation are the highlight of a tea party, but you don’t need to stop there. Onda suggests hiring a local violinist or cellist for background music. If that’s beyond your budget, consider using an online playlist of classical covers of current pop songs. Play a Bridgerton and Jane Austen-themed murder mystery game to keep the party going. “For the little ones, it’s always fun to set up a costume or craft station,” Onda recommends.
All ages will enjoy a fun DIY baking project, such as making their own macarons, Madeleines, or lavender vanilla cupcakes.
AUTHOR
Jackie Rupp is a longtime writer and editor who enjoys covering home, family, and lifestyle topics. She usually writes with at least one cat by her side and juggles fostering kittens with dabbling in handmade crafts. A connoisseur of pancakes, you can find her brunching when not writing or working on home renovation projects.