Love is always in the air. No matter the season, engagements and bridal showers make their ways into our agendas all year round. Whether you are hosting a bridal shower or celebrating an engagement, in this post you’ll find six charming tea-inspired ideas for your next event plus three bonus “insider tips.” Keep reading to learn more!
Engagements
In the United States, the average engagement period is only 12-18 months. Traditionally, the engagement party was organized by the bride’s family. However, in 2024 friends, coworkers, and family members from both sides of the aisle are stepping up to host engagement parties. You may even find the newly engaged couple throwing their own party. An Afternoon Tea is perfect for engagements because it has three main advantages over your typical cocktail party or dinner.
Daytime availability - If your engagement party falls during the last quarter of the year, you may feel the pinch of holiday schedules. With around eighteen “weekend days” between the months of November and December in 2024, planning an evening party might be tricky. The beauty of hosting Afternoon Tea instead of a cocktail party is that people’s schedules generally have more flexibility during the day. Holding an Afternoon Tea between the traditional hours of 3p-5p is a great alternative to a cocktail party. A full Afternoon Tea (including sandwiches, scones, and cakes) is a natural substitution for a luncheon or brunch. Simply serving tea and a beautiful cake is an effortless and elegant party idea any time of day. If you do opt to only serve tea and cake, splurge on a speciality cake from your local pastry shop. Insider tip: If you live in Central Virginia there is nothing more dreamy and elegant than the "Princess Cake" from Charlottesville's Albemarle Baking Company.
Set the tone - If we can trust magazine articles and bridal themed mini-series, planning a wedding is stressful. Why not buck the trend? Afternoon Tea is, by definition, designed to foster relaxation. Starting your engagement period with a tea party will put you (and your family) in the mood to enjoy this time of celebration rather than join the rat race of wedding-planning-gone-wild. Choose an energizing breakfast blend for a morning party or an herbal tisane for late afternoon. Including lots of pretty details like fresh flowers and thoughtfully selected photographs of friends and family will automatically slow your guests down and allow them to appreciate their surroundings. By choosing an event style that is naturally slower, more meaningful, and focused on human connection you are setting a precedent with your family and friends for the rest of your engagement.
Meaningful memories - In the USA, champagne and wedding celebrations go hand in hand. However, tea can be just as celebratory (and sometimes even more special). Darjeeling is considered the “champagne” of the tea world due to the unique terroir of the Darjeeling District in India where this tea originates. Individual "flushes" (harvests) of Darjeeling are highly prized for their nuances in flavor. However, there are many speciality tea varieties grown worldwide. Whether you choose black, white, or green tea, be sure to select something that you enjoy. A visit to your local tea shop is a great way to explore tastes and flavors you like and learn the backstory of the teas you try. For a party, offer at least two types of tea. For example, if you serve Earl Grey, consider also serving a naturally caffeine free tisane like Lake Missoula Tea Company’s best selling “Spicy Ginger Snap.” The lemon in the tisane pairs nicely with the citrus notes of the Earl Grey which will allow you to build a cohesive menu around your tea selections. Tea is a delicious alternative to champagne that everyone can enjoy. Just remember, teacups are not champagne flutes. Never “toast” your teacups.
Bridal Showers
Some sources say that “bridal showers” first began in 16th century Europe. Today, they continue to celebrate, honor, and prepare the soon-to-be newlyweds for their life together. Traditionally, the Maid-of-Honor hosts the bridal shower for the bride and her guests. Today, however, anyone close to the bride can volunteer to host the event (just not the bride herself). If you find yourself in the party-planning driving seat in the next few months, here are a few tea themed ideas for bridal showers.
Don’t break the bank - Use what you have (or have access to). Consider borrowing a tea set from a friend or family member if you don’t own one yourself. Ask the mother-of-the-bride if she has any family heirlooms like monogrammed napkins or silver teaspoons that might make the day extra special. Pretty pieces with a history always get people talking. If china cups and saucers are a little too “froufrou," purchasing attractive mugs at thrift stores or home shops can be a fun alternative. Plus, your guests can always take the mugs home as favors. Bread plates are a great stand in for the luncheon or salad plates that are often used at tea time. You can find them very affordably at consignment shops or antique stores for just a few dollars each. Bonus, they make great appetizer plates for the upcoming Holiday season.
Unification is key - Choose one unifying theme to bring your tables and party decor together. For example, a monochromatic table setting looks smart even if it is made up of various pieces from the four corners of the globe. A table in white, cream, and ivory china can look quite sleek and contemporary even if the pieces are all different. Rustic hand thrown mugs will look charming on a low table set with linen napkins, local wildflowers, and simple but wholesome fare like open faced sandwiches with smoked salmon. Whatever you choose, be sure it is a theme that resonates with the bride. Find inspiration in her favorite vacation or memory. Do what will make her feel comfortable, loved, and honored. In the end, that is the greatest gift we can give. Insider tip: Not sure where to start? The menu is a great place to begin finding inspiration. For example, if you want to serve open-faced smoked salmon tea sandwiches, you can dress the table using shades of coral and pink. Feeling bold? Choose contrasting colors like soft green or blue.
Set the tea table - Although it is tempting to invite your guests to serve themselves “buffet style," setting the table is so much more thoughtful and impressive. If you don’t have a full sized dining table, a folding table with a pretty tablecloth is a great alternative. Just make sure you use a table pad. These simple household items are found everywhere online and can be cut to size. One side of the pad will be water resistant to protect the table from spills and the other will be a soft brushed flannel to protect the top of the table from scrapes and hot temperatures. A folding table especially benefits from a table pad since it helps soften the hard edges of the plastic. A tea table should always be set with a tablecloth to protect the table and dampen the sound of silverware and teacups. IYKYK. Choose a tablecloth that goes nearly to the floor to hide the legs of a folding table. Shorter tablecloths show off the details of nicely carved legs and showy bases. Layers make a table look more expensive so consider using a table runner, placemats, or table scarf to add extra dimension and color. When setting a monochromatic table setting use texture to add interest. A beautifully set table is always a hit with guests. In our modern times, most people either eat in their cars or on the couch so sitting down to tea at a beautiful table is sure to create a lasting impression and a memorable party. Insider tip: Tablecloths can be expensive. In some cases, pretty vintage flat sheets are a perfect affordable base layer. They are generously sized and come in a plethora of colors and patterns. Make sure the sheet is crisply ironed and that the decorative hem (usually closest to where your pillow would be) is hidden.
Can you tell that I love parties? I hope you enjoyed reading through some of these ideas and that you feel inspired to face your party planning head-on. However, if you’re feeling like you would rather not delve into the realm of planning, setting-up, and hosting your own Afternoon Tea event, remember that Pétale is here to help. We love planning unique and personalized events for special occasions. Plus, we always include setup and cleanup so you don't have to!
Send us an email to learn more about hosting your own stress-free Afternoon Tea Party.
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