Hosting a Tea Party

Looking to celebrate spring with a tea party? Impress your guests with your posh party planning skills using these tea party hosting tips.

Select theme

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of your event, decide what kind of mood you’d like to create. Will it be a formal occasion fit for a queen complete with dresses and hats? Or, are you thinking of a whimsical theme that is inspired by Alice in Wonderland? Once chosen, the theme will guide your future organizing.

Send invitations

Select a date and time, preferably in the afternoon to honor a more traditional tea party. Send your invitation in the mail for a more formal vibe or put together an email with all of the details. Be sure to include expectations for attire, if there are any, on the invites. You’ll also want guests to notify you of any dietary restrictions or allergies when they RSVP.

Plan your menu

A tea party should include both savory and sweet food. If the time of the event is between meals, a small selection of options will be fine; however if it occurs during a full meal, offer your attendees a wider variety of options. Dainty sandwiches, scones, cakes, macrons, tarts and more can be served. You’ll also want to have an assortment of jams, butter and whipped cream. If hosting at the Iroquois Club, consider the Authentic English Tea menu to provide everything you need for a delicious tea party!

Set the table

Use a crisp white tablecloth with lace or embroidery (or one that fits your specific theme) to fit the affair. Avoid disposable tableware and opt for china teacups and saucers at each place setting. Use tiered stands and elegant serving trays to arrange your finger food and desserts. Finish the table settings with place cards and a bouquet of fresh flowers.

Brew the tea

As the namesake of the tea party, you’ll want to spend extra effort on properly serving the tea. Boil water and pour into multiple ornate teapots. Then, place tea leaves or a tea bag into each pot, with a variety of tea blends being offered. Steep according to the tea assortment and strain the leaves before serving. Accompany the tea with cream, sugar and lemon slices.