If you are anything like me, you spent more time than you’d like to admit flipping through pictures of the recent royal wedding. All this buzz about the Royals has me obsessing about all things British, even after the big event! It has inspired me to do a little tutorial on planning the perfect Royal-inspired Tea Party!
I recently designed this backyard tea party for my daughter’s birthday, but let me tell you, I really wished this had been a party for ME and my mom friends! A tea party theme is perfect for a baby shower, a first birthday party, or even a “sprinkle” for a second time mom. While you can choose to host your tea party at a restaurant, I’m going to give you tips on hosting a DIY backyard tea party that’s sure to charm all your guests!
First, I designed some simple and elegant tea party invitations. These sweet invites set the tone for the guests. I also let them know the dress code by adding “Please come dressed in your tea party best,” at the bottom of the invitation. These invites can be customized for a birthday, baby shower or bridal tea.
One of the best parts about the tea party I designed was that it had the look and feel of a real high-end tea party without the actual cost because I found the most adorable plates, napkins and cups that were all PAPER! I know it’s hard to tell by the photos, but yes, it’s true! I didn’t have to wash a single china plate! I also designed matching place cards in a dainty floral print so that each guest knew where to sit.
For centerpieces, I mixed faux and real flowers. I did a few mini centerpieces in vintage-looking tea cups and saucers. I simply cut some wet floral foam and put it inside the tea cup. Then I arranged some fresh flowers of varying shapes, sizes and species for that “shabby chic” look. These centerpieces looked so sweet sitting atop floral printed tablecloths.
For table decor, I used a variety of colors and textures. I used birdcages I already owned, silver candelabras and faux floral pomander balls. I also used cardboard chandeliers, which I spray painted in a blush color, strung faux pearls around the bottom and then hung from tree branches overhead.
I really wanted to make the tea party feel like a royal high tea, so I served the food and goodies on traditional tea towers like you might find at a high tea. While we made the tea sandwiches from scratch, I outsourced the desserts (petits fours, french macarons and butterfly cookies) from a local bakery because I know my strengths and weaknesses and making these gorgeous little desserts is not one of them!
I also made a personalized party menu letting the guests know what they would be eating on each tier of the tea tower, along with the flavors of tea we’d be serving.
To celebrate my daughter’s birthday, I designed a teapot topped cake with Les Pop Sweets in pastel colors to match the tea party. Even though it looks real enough to pour from, the entire teapot is actually made out of fondant!
As a parting gift, I had the guests take home tiny teapot treat boxes filled with tea cookies and a tea bag. I designed this printable sign to sit near the party favor table with a matching floral print background.
And as the final touch, I designed tiny tea bag thank you tags that I tied onto each teapot favor box. I used white string and a stapler to give it a realistic tea bag look. These favors are the perfect way to end an afternoon tea party. Cheerio!
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