Bridal Shower Tea Party
Why Plan a Bridal Shower?
You said "yes" to the love of your life, posted lots of stunning photos of the sparkler adorning your hand, and you are now in the midst of putting together a grand wedding. As exciting as it is, somewhere along the way it can all get overwhelming. That's the precise time when to indulge in some pampering and pomp. That's where members of your bridal party come in because they can provide the getaway in the form of a bridal shower.
The prenuptial occasion is all about celebrating a bride and as implied, showering her with gifts that will prove beneficial as she ventures into the next chapter of her life. Bridal showers don't have to be a surprise, and if it's a destination shindig then the woman of the hour should be involved in the planning process.
A bridal shower tea party is an elegant, sophisticated, and very traditional way to toast the bride. It can be an intimate gathering with only members of the bridal party in attendance or a large-scale event with the bride's relatives and friends invited. The theme works best for a co-ed occasion, given that these days bridal showers are not exclusively female-centric affairs.
Where Did Tea Parties Originate From?
The mention of a tea party brings to mind two ideas; a Victorian-style tea gathering and "Alice in Wonderland." The latter publication was first released some 157 years ago and everyone who has read the captivating novel or watched the numerous screen iterations knows that it contains an epic tea party scene.
To take a walk down memory lane, modern European tea parties date back to two decades before "Alice in Wonderland'' was published. Anna Maria Russell, who was a close friend of Queen Victoria, is credited for transforming the occasion into a fashionable event. Russell, who was also the Duchess of Bedford, complained about essentially not being filled by the two main meals of the day.
In those days, folks got by with a huge breakfast followed by dinner at 8 p.m. In some instances, there would be an informal luncheon between the two meals but the Duchess of Bedford still complained about the long snack-less gaps. Russell started inviting her friends over for a "cuppa" in the afternoon accompanied by a walk in the fields.
Where Should You Host a Bridal Shower Tea Party?
As the afternoon gathering caught on, folks regularly hosted croquet teas, garden teas, and tennis teas, to name a few, given that it's more economical. Going back to Russell's time, members of high society followed suit and they would host the occasion in elegant rooms. The event also involved dining using fine china, indulging in hot tea and small sandwiches, and crowing it off with plenty of chatter about the latest happenings around town.
The editorial proves that you can't go wrong in hosting a bridal tea party outdoors. That means that any event venue with a garden fits the bill but you could equally explore historical mansions and establishments with tea rooms.
Going by Lady Gertrude's tea tips outlined in her 1893 publication "Etiquette of Good Society," the venue should be spacious enough to accommodate clusters of tables and chairs. The room should look full up but not crowded.
Bridal Tea Shower Decor
The goal of decorations, in general, is to create an ambiance. For a tea party, the scene should be inviting, comfortable, and with hints of sophistication Look no further than the editorial for bridal tea shower decor ideas. To start with, floral arrangements made up of blooms in white and pastel colours suit the occasion.
It's always a lovely idea to bring out a chest drawer and use it as a dessert table. The setup near the tree with suspended clear bottles containing single rose stems takes the elegant touch a notch higher. Mismatched decorations also shine during tea party-themed events. You can introduce it in the form of mismatched china, table linens, cutlery, and chairs.
For the tablescape, gold-toned cutlery and charger plates enhance the sophisticated look. Clear vases used for the centrepieces as well as the glassware boost the dainty aspect of the theme. To complete the setup, the tea sets, and floral-themed place cards further pull all together. You could also use teacups as vases and escort cardholders.
Bridal Shower Tea Party Menu Ideas
A bridal shower tea party isn't necessarily an event that predominantly focuses on food but what's on the menu is still important. Going by traditional tea party menus, scones, small square sandwiches, and other bite-sized treats are perfect for the occasion. Deviled eggs, cream cheese, and smoked salmon are other dishes that should feature on your tea party menu.
A tea party also features selections of sweets including sponge cakes, truffles, macarons, petit fours, and donuts. A bare cake drizzled with icing and adorned with sugar flowers is befitting for the occasion. Remember to present the desserts in tiered platters and use a vintage cake stand for the grand masterpiece.
A tea party isn't complete without serving tea. Serve varieties of teas ranging from Earl gray to flavored blends. For presentation purposes, serve the tea in clear pots to make the most out of the pigmented assortments. Also, who said that you should only use teacups for tea? For added measure, use them to serve champagne or any other chosen boozy drink for the occasion.
Bridal Shower Tea Party Favours
While bridal showers are occasions where the guest of honour is presented with plenty of gifts, it's best to send guests home with thematic party favours. Staying true to the tea party theme, consider the following:
- Cookies, cookie mix, and a cookie cutter
- A container filled with a loose tea blend or flavored tea sachets
- Candies that are presented in small tins or mini cloches
- Tea infusers, wooden tea boxes, or coasters
- Handmade soaps and scented candles
- Mini jars of honey, jam, or marmalade
- Seed packets and a trowel
- Teacup sets, vintage creamers, or gold-toned cutlery
Bridal Shower Tea Party
With a delightful pastel colour palette, today’s bridal shower tea party inspiration shoot Ashley Slater Photography, Mrs. Freund & Co. and Michaela Noelle Designs is as darling as it is delicious! It’s filled with laughter and a ton of inspirational ideas for your own bridal shower soiree.
There are so many adorable ideas in this bridal shower editorial and one of the cutest is the ‘make your own flower crown’ station. It’s a fun way to get your girls together and do something fun that also makes for a fabulous shower favour. Tea, a beautiful Tablescape to chat around, finger sandwiches, and a darling cake – I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the bride-to-be!
Credits: Photography: Ashley Slater Photography // Event Design: Michaela Noelle Designs // Design & Décor: Mrs. Freund & Co. // Calligraphy: Graceline Art // Bakery: Nantucket Bakery // Makeup: Sarah Lettow // Floral Design: Spring Sweet // Rentals: The Rental Company // Hair: Urban Modern Hair // Location: Private Residence in Michigan.