Bridal shower tea parties are a classic, classy, and attractive way to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of the bride-to-be. The size of a wedding tea depends on the size of the bridal party, but often ranges from a modest, intimate affair to a massive party for all the ladies.
Showers with this theme are intended mainly for the bride's female friends and family, but the groom and his mates are invited to attend as well. If she so desires, a lady might have a bridal shower tea party and invite guests of the opposite sex to celebrate her upcoming nuptials. If you don't invite everyone who could be interested, the party will be dull.
Informing guests in advance that a wedding tea party is not always focused on food is a good idea. The bride should tell her closest friends and family members about the engagement. Most individuals only get married once (or twice at most), so it's crucial to make the most of this lovely event by making memories with one's spouse.
When planning a bridal shower with a tea party theme, the location is crucial. A hotel restaurant in your city or one close by is perfect for a tea party theme, but any posh diner or location available for hire will do. Have the bridal shower tea party somewhere else if you haven't put in a lot of work into the outside dining area or dining room. The atmosphere of your party should be carefully considered before the cute finger sandwiches are served.
The hosts of upcoming tea parties who are hoping to make a good impression on the brides they will be entertaining may find the following suggestions helpful.
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When planning a tea party, what's the vibe to strive for?
"The atmosphere at these get-togethers is chic and feminine. Think of a quintessential English afternoon tea, replete with tea, scones, and pretty pastels. Very sophisticated and subtle. Your invitations may serve as a first impression of your event. You may get a sophisticated, ladylike vibe by employing a serif typeface and thicker paper."
What should you serve?
"The great news is that good tea meals won't break the bank. The meal should center around tender, light fare and a range of sweet finishes. Although the bridesmaids and the bride's mother are not required to participate, tradition dictates that I suggest they try their hand at making tea sandwiches. For example, think of cucumber sandwiches. After the seeds have been removed from the cucumbers, the slices are very thinly sliced and put artistically onto buttered, pressed bread. A tasty and inexpensive snack, deviled eggs are always a good choice. Yeah, that's how they were served at cocktail parties back in the '50s."
Another wonderful idea is to toss some deviled eggs into a salad; add some gorgonzola and bacon for a savory kick, or give them a southwestern spin by tossing in some sliced onion or chipotle for some heat. Spread holiday cheer with chocolate-covered tea bag-shaped cookies.
Also, what are some good drinks to have on hand?
"You may pair your hot cup with a cold cup of camomile or lavender tea. The Bellini, made with peach nectar and prosecco (a more economical sparkling wine alternative to champagne), is a delicious and elegant beverage. Another one of my favorites is a traditional kir royale made with prosecco and raspberry liqueur. Leave out the regular sugar and have rock candy sticks and sugar cubes on hand instead."
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How intimate can a tea party get? And when would you recommend starting?
"At your shower, you may have anywhere from fifty to one hundred guests. A great tea buffet spread on a dining room table may serve a sizable gathering. Use three-tiered tea stands to display your finger sandwiches and pastries. It's customary to have tea around 4, although 12 or 1 will do in a pinch."
Is there any thought given to the furnishings?
"Even mom's silver tea set is fair game. A cake stand or crystal glasses may be useful, and you never know who might have them. Instead of a plastic or vinyl tablecloth, go for something more traditional like fine linen, lace, or a floral pattern. Bow each napkin with a piece of ribbon. For a beautiful centerpiece, fill vintage teacups or teapots with a single type of flower. If you just need something once, silver plating is a cheap option. An alternative low-cost option is to rent vintage-style three-tiered stands and plates (plastic or paper are OK) from a party supply store."
Decorations
Your honoree is a perfect match for this concept if she appreciates both traditional and cutting-edge design. There's no need for 100% uniformity in terms of design at the bridal shower tea. Instead, go for a mismatched, vintage look to give the impression that you've collected your furniture over the years. In addition to the standard food of appetizers and main dishes, consider adding delicate touches such as mismatched china, fresh flowers, and lace tablecloths to create a warm and friendly ambiance. Do you want a low-cost bridal shower suggestion? Having a tea party could help. You may either spend a day looking for affordable vintage tableware like plates and teacups in thrift stores, or you can borrow them from kind friends and family members like your grandmother, aunt, or mother. Remember to stick to your color scheme when you shop for home accents from a variety of stores, and don't forget that less is more when it comes to decorating your space.
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Venue
There isn't a "wrong" spot to have a bridal shower tea party, but there are a few that work very well with the theme. Naturally, the former is a more formal teahouse where one may relax and unwind. Have a cup of tea and see if any of the local hotels or restaurants provide afternoon tea. Museums and historic residences are another possibility; bigger venues sometimes include a tea room or café that can be booked for private functions. There are several benefits to holding a bridal shower at a traditional tea shop, such as the availability of expert tea recommendations, the availability of table service, and the venue's intrinsic charm.
Tea parties as a sort of bridal showers might be simple to throw at home. If the weather permits, outdoor spaces like backyards and gardens may be quite beautiful. While hostess, it is your duty to make sure all guests are accommodated adequately, from having a safe place to park their vehicles to sitting comfortably (especially the elderly), viewing the culinary displays, and congregating as the bride opens her gifts.
Palette of colours
We think it's great that you're planning a wedding shower around a color scheme of pastels with some pops of bright, joyful colors. The most classy result may be achieved by limiting your color scheme to no more than three or four complementary colors (you definitely don't want to go full-on rainbow mode!). Vintage items like floral dinnerware, patterned tablecloths, and embroidered handkerchiefs can provide as color inspiration for a bridal shower tea party.
Invitations
You shouldn't go overboard with the invitations to your bridal tea. Invitations with flowers never go out of style, and traditional white invitations with letterpressed or embossed writing are a classy option. Guests' names, your name (or the host's name), the event's theme (and costume restrictions, if any), the date, time, and venue, as well as the happy couple's website or registry information, should all be included. Keep reading for advice on how to send out wedding shower invitations the right way.
Flowers
Flowers have a way of brightening up a space almost immediately. For a bridal shower in the style of a tea party, we advise using flower arrangements that are less formal and more reminiscent of a garden. If you're using a professional florist, suggest they use roses, peonies, carnations, and tulips, along with some greenery, Queen Anne's lace, or astilbe in the arrangements.
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Attire
Clothing for a tea party is often less formal than for a dinner party. Women shouldn't go all out with floor-length ball dresses, but they should seem more put together than they would on a typical day. Wearing bright colors, patterns, and short hairstyles is OK, but being overly casual or revealing is not. Accessorizing with a pair of sturdy shoes (or attractive flats if you'll be outside), some eye-catching jewelry, and a hat is a nice idea whether you're going all out or not.
Eats and drinks
It's important to remember the essentials while preparing a traditional British tea. Little sandwiches like cucumber, watercress egg salad, and smoked salmon are a must for each savory lunch. Sponge cakes and trifles, as well as other little delights like scones, jam, clotted cream, and marmalade, would be perfect additions. Prepare everything as if it were going to be featured on The Great British Baking Show by placing it on a tiered cake stand.
The following course of events will involve the serving of tea. Even if you're not a tea connoisseur (there are six main categories and hundreds of varieties, by the way), it's polite to offer guests a variety of teas. Sell a variety of teas, including black, green, and caffeine-free herbal varieties. Tea guests should be given the option to customize their beverage with ingredients including honey, lemon, sugar, and milk. An elegant tea tray can make even the most casual gathering feel special. Antique shops are a good place to look for vintage tea sets, while most home furnishing and internet retailers have contemporary options.
Favours
Tea-themed wedding shower party favors can range from personalized ceramic mugs to tea bags and infusers. Tea-themed cookies, like teapots or tea bags, or lavender sachets, are also a wonderful option.
Etiquette for the Wedding Shower
The maid of honor and/or the bridesmaids usually throw the bridal shower. However, in modern times, it is quite acceptable for the bride to put together her own bridal party and solicit the help of her mother and bridesmaids.
Typically, just 10 to twenty of the bride's closest friends and relatives are invited to the shower. Keep in mind that guests at the bridal shower are usually also invited to the wedding, so while you're free to invite as many people as you'd like, it's best to keep the guest list manageable.
With bridal showers often held between four and six weeks before the wedding, there is still plenty of time to organize and prepare for the big day. Since a bridal shower is not as formal as a wedding, a low-key afternoon party will do.
Because of the relaxed nature of a wedding shower, invitations can take a similar tone. You may send out invitations by regular mail, electronic mail, telephone, or even your preferred social networking site. However, invitations that the bride and groom have written or printed themselves are a wonderful addition, especially when they include the wedding's theme colors.
When asked if they need to bring a gift, guests to a wedding shower almost invariably say "yes." Traditional housewarming gifts are smaller and more practical than wedding presents. Most contemporary couples start their own families before tying the knot. Instead, you may gift the bride a unique item she can utilize on the big day.
Dinner Menu for the Bridal Shower
Traditional tea parties are social gatherings where guests may relax and mingle while enjoying a broad selection of delectable snacks. The restaurant may be situated wherever you choose, and you can order whatever you like. The fewer frills there are at a bridal shower tea party, the better.
Imagine a party spread with delectable treats for everybody to enjoy. As they peruse the table, your guests can help themselves to whatever appeals to their taste. You may put your mind at ease and spend more time enjoying the party because you won't have to worry about serving the food to each individual attendee. People take delight in choosing from a broad array of meals when they snack.
Each visitor may nibble on anything they like as they choose throughout the tea party, since there is plenty of space for both sweet and savory food. Since this is your big day, choose a cuisine that reflects your tastes and interests.
Activities & Games for a Bridal Shower
The games and activities at a bridal shower are entertaining, but not mandatory. They might be a great way to get people talking and establish the mood for an unforgettable bridal shower. Prizes might be anything from chocolate to gift cards, to name just two possibilities. Hold a bridal shower and plan the wedding in style with your best gal pals. Here are some recommendations for your consideration.
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A Game of Trying to Guess Romantic Movie Quotes
Feel free to include as many Hollywood smash hits in the romance genre as you like. Select a single quote from each film. Read each quotation aloud and have your guests guess which movies influenced each one. The players that make the most accurate forecasts come out on top. When this game starts rolling, you can count on a lot of laughs and a wonderful time.
Name That Love Song
This game is based on the popular guess the romantic movie phrase game, however instead of guessing the phrase, participants try to determine the artist or composer of the song. The audience hears only a fragment of each song and must guess the remainder by ear. Again, the victor will be the one who makes the most correct forecasts.
Wise Counsel
The guests are given notecards and writing instruments to write their well-wishes for the bride-to-be on. The tradition may include sharing a family dish, offering advice on marriage, or raising a glass to the bride's future happiness. Get out a large glass bowl for the cards to be dropped into. At a bridal shower I once attended, the guests wrote notes of advice and encouragement for the bride-to-be.
A Polaroid Photo Booth
Prep a spot for pictures to be taken with the future bride. Whether it's novelty glasses, feather boas, tiaras, or a little veil, go ahead and let your imagination go wild. The bride-to-be is welcome to save the polaroids and add them to a scrapbook. Participating in this is something that everyone enjoys doing.
Scavenger Hunt with a Ring
You may bury as many novelty rings as you like in the yard, residence, or event space. Whoever has discovered the most rings at the conclusion of the tea party is the winner.
The Number of Candies You Can Guess
Put treats in a pretty glass jar and have some paper and crayons ready. Each visitor estimates how many candies are in the jar and signs their name next to their estimate. Whoever comes closest to the actual number gets to take home the treats.
An excellent approach to rejoice in the forthcoming nuptials of a close friend or relative is to throw a bridal shower tea party. In honour of the bride, guests will be encouraged to dress to the nines and enjoy hot tea or posh drinks while snacking on hors d'oeuvres. The first step is to pick a location and make a guest list. Set up the refreshments, meals, and guest lists for the celebration. Prepare in advance and host like a pro as you and your guests celebrate the bride-to-be.
Conclusion
Tea parties are a lovely way to celebrate the bride-to-approaching be's nuptials. A bridal tea can range from a small gathering with only the bridal party to a much larger celebration. Here are some tips for the hosts of forthcoming tea parties. Good tea foods won't put a dent in your grocery budget, which is always a plus. Deviled eggs are a popular low-cost food option.
Add a festive touch with chocolate-dipped biscuits in the shape of tea bags to continue the motif. Borrow items from friends and family, or spend a day scouring secondhand stores for vintage tableware. Renting three-tiered stands and plates in a vintage design from a party supply store might also be cost-effective. A wedding shower in the form of a tea party may be easily organised at home. Backyards and gardens are especially charming if the weather permits.
Floral invites are timeless and elegant, and classic white invitations with letterpressed or embossed lettering are a great choice. Roses, peonies, carnations, and tulips will brighten any room. Tiny sandwiches are an absolute essential for the savoury meal; some examples are cucumber, watercress egg salad, and smoked salmon. Bridal showers are typically hosted by the maid of honour and/or bridesmaids. Invitations can be sent through standard mail, email, phone, or social networking site.
A classic tea party is laid back and casual, with a wide variety of tasty treats available. The activities at a wedding shower are fun, but not required. They may be an enjoyable icebreaker and help set the tone for a special wedding shower. An excellent way to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of a friend or relative is to throw a bridal shower tea party. Prepare in advance and host like a pro as you and your guests celebrate the bride-to-be's special day with these ideas.
Content Summary
- Traditional, elegant, and refined, bridal shower tea parties are a lovely way to celebrate the bride-to-approaching be's nuptials.
- A bridal tea can range from a small gathering with only the bridal party to a much larger celebration with all the women in attendance.
- Although the food and décor are more likely to appeal to women, male friends and relatives of the bride are still welcome to a shower with this theme.
- A bride has the right to invite people of the sex opposite her own to her wedding shower tea party if she so chooses.
- Venue selection is very important when throwing a wedding shower with a tea party theme.
- Before the adorable finger sandwiches make an appearance, you should focus on setting the mood for your gathering.
- "Good tea foods won't put a dent in your grocery budget, which is always a plus.
- The menu should emphasise light, delicate dishes and a variety of sweet endings.
- It's customary for me to recommend that the bridesmaids and the bride's mother try their hand at creating tea sandwiches, but no one is obligated to do so.
- Deviled eggs are a popular low-cost food option.
- Add a festive touch with chocolate-dipped biscuits in the shape of tea bags to continue the motif (see recipe, below).Also, what are some good drinks to have on hand?"There are cold camomile or lavender teas to complement your hot cup.
- "Need a caterer for your special day?
- Check out Boutique events group's Top List of Wedding Caterers in Melbourne.
- How intimate can a tea party get?
- And when would you recommend starting?"You may have as few as 50 people and as many as 100 people at your shower.
- A fantastic tea buffet set out on a dining room table may accommodate a large group.
- Put your sandwiches and pastries on three-tiered tea stands.
- "Is there any thought given to the furnishings?
- Use a tablecloth made of fine linen, lace, or a flower design instead of anything modern.
- Make a bow with ribbon and decorate each napkin.
- Fill teacups or teapots in an old style with a single kind of flower for a stunning centrepiece (a few pink or white tea roses, for example).
- It's not necessary for everything at the wedding shower tea to be identical in style.
- Instead, you should aim for an eclectic, shabby-chic vibe, as though you've accumulated the furnishings through time.
- Do you need a cheap wedding shower idea?
- Try a tea party.
- Spend a day scouring secondhand stores for inexpensive vintage tableware, such as plates and teacups, or borrow these items from kind friends and family members, such as your grandmother, aunt, or mother.
- Keep your colour scheme in mind while you gather items for your home's décor from various sources, and don't forget that sometimes less is more.
- Looking for someone to help decorate on your special day?
- Check out our list of Wedding Decorators in Melbourne.
- Venue
- Tea party bridal showers may be held just about anyplace, but there are several locations that are particularly well-suited to the theme.
- The first is, of course, a place where one may enjoy tea in a more formal setting.
- Having your wedding shower at a classic tea shop has several advantages, including access to knowledgeable tea suggestions, table service, and the venue's inherent allure.
- A wedding shower in the form of a tea party may be easily organised at home (or the home of a relative, friend of the bride, etc.).
- for the most sophisticated outcome.
- Color schemes for a tea party bridal shower might be inspired by antiques such as flowery china, patterned tablecloths, and embroidered handkerchiefs.
- InvitationsThe invites to your wedding shower tea need not be elaborate.
- Include the name of the honoured guest, your name (or the host's name), the event's theme (and attire requirements, if any), the event's date, time, and location, and the website or registry information for the happy couple.
- To learn more about the proper way to invite guests to a wedding shower, continue reading.
- Flowers
- We recommend looser floral arrangements, more like to those you might see in a garden, for a wedding shower that takes the form of a tea party.
- AttireThe customary wear for a tea party is more casual than full formality.
- Eats and drinksWhen serving a classic British tea, there are a few items that just must be included.
- Allow visitors to adjust the sweetness of their tea with milk, cream, sugar cubes, lemon slices, and honey.
- Favors for a wedding shower tea party should be related to the topic of tea, such as bags of tea, tea infusers, or even personalised ceramic mugs.
- Traditionally, only the bride's closest friends and family members (about ten to twenty total) are invited to the shower.
- Though you're welcome to invite as many people as you'd like, keep in mind that attendees at a bridal shower are often also invited to the wedding.
- The answer to the question of whether or not guests need to bring a present to a wedding shower is almost always "yes."
- As an alternative, you may get the bride-to-be a special present that she can use on her wedding day.
- Dinner Menu for the Bridal ShowerAs a social event, a classic tea party is often laid back and casual, with a wide variety of tasty treats available.
- The location is up to you, and the menu may be anything your heart desires.
- Envision a festive table set with delicious goodies for guests to share.
- You won't have to worry about serving the food to each guest, giving you more time to relax and enjoy the party.
- There's plenty of room for both sweet and savoury treats, and guests can graze as they like during the tea party.
- Activities & Games for a Bridal ShowerThe activities at a wedding shower are fun, but not required.
- They may be an enjoyable icebreaker and help set the tone for a special wedding shower.
- Have a girls' night in and organise the wedding in style with your closest girlfriends.
- Browse through our many options for your closest friend's Hens Party.
- A Game of Trying to Guess Romantic Movie QuotesYou're free to name as many blockbuster love stories as you like.
- A Polaroid Photo BoothPrep a spot for pictures to be taken with the future bride.
- Scavenger Hunt with a RingYou may bury as many novelty rings as you like in the yard, residence, or event space.
- Whoever has discovered the most rings at the conclusion of the tea party is the winner.
- An excellent approach to rejoice in the forthcoming nuptials of a close friend or relative is to throw a bridal shower tea party.
- The first step is to pick a location and make a guest list.
- Set up the refreshments, meals, and guest lists for the celebration.
- Prepare in advance and host like a pro as you and your guests celebrate the bride-to-be.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bridal Shower
Traditionally, a Bridal Kitchen Tea is just that – an afternoon tea in which guests bring a gift for the bride suitable for the kitchen only. A Bridal Shower, on the other hand, sees guests bring a gift of any description to “shower” the bride with.
The bridal shower is usually hosted by the maid of honor, close friends, bridal attendants, or bridesmaids. No matter who is hosting, be sure to communicate clearly to make sure you aren't planning two separate showers.
It is customary for the hostess to get the bride a gift for the shower, just like everyone else. You may want to coordinate the buying of a major gift, or you might want to give her something small but very nice just from you if the shower is setting you back financially.
The maid of honor, along with the rest of the bridal party, is expected to cover all wedding attire costs. This includes the dress (plus any necessary alterations), shoes, and any jewelry you'll be wearing the day of. Occasionally, the bride will gift her bridesmaids with whatever accessories she wants them to wear.
What Is the Groom's Role? Unless you're having a Jack and Jill bridal shower, the groom does not need to attend the bridal shower. However, it's not uncommon for the fiancé to make an appearance towards the end of the event to say thank you. After all, many of the gifts are for him, as well.