Are you feeling inspired by the Netflix hit series Bridgerton? Want to host a memorable gathering? Why not host a tea party?!?
Organizing a tea party is a great way to gather friends and family for an afternoon of elegance, discussion, and delicious food and drink. Whether you're celebrating a special life event or simply want to host a lovely occasion, here are some ideas and tips to help you host an unforgettable tea party.
Planning Your Tea Party
Choose a Theme
Selecting a unique theme can enhance the atmosphere and flow of your tea party. Traditional English tea parties, beautiful garden settings, and vintage-inspired soirees are all possible themes. Consider your guests and the environment you wish to create. Some theme ideas include:
Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, this whimsical theme features mismatched teacups, quirky decor, and playful elements like oversized playing cards and clocks. Encourage guests to wear eccentric hats and enjoy imaginative treats like "Eat Me" cookies and "Drink Me" tea-infused potions.
Bridgerton Tea Party – For fans of the popular Netflix series, Bridgerton, recreate that grand and graceful Regency Era feel. Indulge your guests with teas and treats inspired by the elegance and romance found in London during the early 19th century. Set in a blooming garden, this classic British tea party theme calls for classic teas, finger sandwiches, and an assortment of pastries and confections served in an idyllic outdoor setting.
Global Tea Tasting - Take your guests on a tea journey around the world by featuring teas and treats from various cultures, such as Japanese matcha, Indian chai, a unique tea blend crafted in Canada, and Moroccan mint tea. Use food souvenirs from local food markets you’ve gathered on your travels. Decorate each table with elements representing the different countries to create a diverse and educational experience.
Parisian Patisserie - Bring the charm of a Parisian café to your home with elegant décor, delicate pastries, and French teas. Think macarons, croissants, and a soft color palette of pastels and gold accents to transport your guests to the streets of Paris.
Retro 1950s Tea Party - Step back in time with a 1950s-inspired tea party featuring vintage tableware, polka dots, and classic rock 'n' roll music. Serve nostalgic treats like seasoned deviled eggs, Jell-O molds, and retro-inspired cupcakes for a fun and lively gathering.
No matter the theme you select, send out invitations that match your chosen theme for continuity and create excitement for the upcoming tea party. Handwrite your invitations on gorgeous stationery to add a personal touch.
If you're short on time, don’t stress! Digital invitations can be attractive and effective, not to mention eco-friendly.
As with any planned party, specify the date, time, venue, and any dress code (i.e. Attire to match the theme) or requests on your invitations.
Setting the Scene
Decor
To create a lovely ambiance, use thoughtfully chosen decor. Here are some things to consider:
Table Setting - Use crisp white tablecloths or ones that correspond to your theme. Use exquisite dishware and China, elegant teacups, and polished silverware. Cloth napkins provide a refined touch.
Centerpieces - Fresh flowers are essential. Choose seasonal flowers and arrange them in teapots, vintage vases, or vessels that match your theme. Candles and fairy lights provide warm and glowing illumination on tables as well.
Place Cards - Personalized place cards make your guests feel special and easily facilitate seating arrangements. Handwritten place cards add a warm heartfelt touch.
Ambiance
Music - Set the tone with gentle, softly played background music. Classical music, jazz, or a well-crafted Spotify playlist that suits your theme can help to enhance the ambiance. Remember, as conversation is a central part of a tea party, keep the volume low yet audible to allow for easy discussions.
Lighting - Ensure that the lighting is gentle and attractive. Natural light is preferable, but if your party happens on a cloudy day or lasts into the evening, try adding soft lamps or string lights to create a gentle and glowing feel.
Tea Selection
We recommend offering a selection of teas to suit diverse tastes and add variety to your offerings.
Include a combination of black, green, and herbal teas. Popular options include:
- Earl Grey - A popular black tea blend flavored with the oil of bergamot, a citrus fruit, gives it a distinctive and aromatic taste.
- Darjeeling - Often referred to as the "champagne of teas," is a light, aromatic black tea grown in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India, known for its delicate muscatel flavor.
- Chamomile - Made from the dried flowers of the chamomile plant, is an herbal infusion known for its calming properties and mild, floral flavor.
- Jasmine Green Tea – A fragrant blend of green tea leaves scented with jasmine blossoms, offering a delicate, floral aroma and a smooth, sweet taste.
Consider creating a tea menu or displaying cards that describe each tea's flavor profile and origin. This provides an educational component to the occasion and allows guests to make informed tea selections.
Brewing
Make sure you have enough teapots to prepare several varieties of teas. Preheat the teapots with hot water to keep the tea warm longer. Brew each tea to the recommended times and temperatures to produce the best and most authentic flavor.
Offer an array of milk (regular, soy, oat, etc.), lemon, honey, and sweeteners (i.e. traditional sugar, honey, coconut sugar, agave nectar, maple syrup) so that guests can personalize their tea.
Food Menu
In addition to the variety of teas you prepare, select accompanying foods to complete the offerings. A variety of savory and sweet items can help to balance out your cuisine.
Savory Treats
For the savory items, consider:
Finger Sandwiches -Classic options include cucumber and cream cheese finger sandwiches, smoked salmon and dill, egg salad, and ham with mustard. Consider offering homemade or international condiments to accompany the sandwiches, too.
Mini Quiches – Offer small quiches, or slices of a larger quiche, with various fillings, including spinach, feta, bacon, and cheese.
Canapés - Bite-sized snacks served on a cracker, toast, or puff pastry with cheese or meats that are tasty and visually pleasing, are other treats your guests will enjoy.
Sweet Delights
No tea party is complete without a variety of sweet delicacies. Some options include:
Scones - Serve with clotted cream and a variety of jams. Traditional scones are essential, but you can also serve flavored options such as blueberry or cranberry.
Pastries - Mini eclairs, French macarons, and tarts are popular sweet treats that lend a sense of sophistication.
Cakes - A beautifully adorned cake can be the focal point of your dessert table. Consider the classic Victoria sponge or lemon drizzle cake.
With all of these culinary delights, plating in a visually appealing manner adds to the attraction and delight. Display your treats on tiered cake stands or attractive plates.
While these menu items are traditional offerings, nothing stops you from creating a different menu. Offering dim sum with sweet egg tarts, or bite-sized Mexican tacos and quesadillas is absolutely wonderful, too. It’s up to you and what you and your guests will enjoy. Regardless of what you select, making sure everything is bite-sized and easy to handle allows your guests to easily and gracefully enjoy your culinary offerings
Activities and Entertainment
While the tea and food will be the major attractions, consider incorporating activities to keep the conversation going and your guests entertained. Some options include:
Tea Tasting -Give a brief introduction to each type of tea, including its origin and flavor profile. Encourage guests to try the range of offerings and share their feedback.
Garden Tour -If your tea party is held outside, provide a tour of your garden, highlighting any unusual plants or flowers.
Games - Traditional activities such as croquet or lawn bowling can provide a fun and lighthearted aspect to your event.
Final Touches
Souvenirs
Send your guests home with a small token of gratitude and a souvenir of the event. Some ideas include:
- Mini jars of handmade jam
- Tea bags with unique tags
- Small potted plants
- A small bag of tea cookies or homemade bread
- Elegantly wrapped chocolates
Thank You Notes
After the celebration, send your guests a handwritten thank you note, expressing your appreciation for their attendance and any gifts they brought. This simple gesture makes a lasting impression and expresses gratitude for their time and presence.
Equally important is for guests to send thank you notes to the host, expressing sincere appreciation for organizing a fabulous tea party.
Hosting a memorable tea party requires thoughtfulness, attention to detail, and creativity. With careful planning and a dash of imagination, you can create a warm and enjoyable experience that your guests will remember.