One thing I loved about living in England was the tradition that the British bring to celebrations. Traditions, like tea time, are all served with a touch of pomp & ceremony. From cream tea, to afternoon tea, to elevensies, and the famous high tea, there is a tea ceremony for every celebratory occasion.
My favorite tea time is Royal Tea, a fabulous social celebration served first with Champagne! What better way to celebrate a special occasion, like viewing the upcoming Royal Wedding (Harry LOVES Meghan, how exciting!), watching Downtown Abbey or the next big sporting event, like the Kentucky Derby.
Pop on a tiara, crown or fascinator and join me in a champagne toast and a very British Royal Tea Party Celebration.
A Royal Backdrop:
What better than an English garden in the summer as the setting for your Royal Tea Party? I paired a boxwood wall and a pretty crown themed wrapping paper to create a unique wall of elegantly framed fascinators. This DIY Framed Fascinator Backdrop will turn any room into an elegant garden setting.
Drinks are Served Madam:
Drinks were served on a white wrought iron bar cart, or bar trolley as they are known in England.
I provided mini champagne bottles, served with Mini Champagne Appetizer Glasses as well as a fabulous Royal Pimms Punch. Pimm's is a popular light summer alcoholic beverage that is delicious served with lots of fresh fruit.
Gin is another popular British celebratory drink. I found the cutest mini gin bottles with bowler hats and served them with traditional mixers like rose, elderflower, cucumber and mint.
In front of the trolley, I used a large gold crown filled with pretty pink garden roses.
Tea Time:
Next, a table full of Royal Tea Party treats. I set the table with a white linen and pretty Round White Lace Tablecloth overlay. As an accent to the table cover, bunting flags, a must for any British celebration.
The key to setting a tea table is a variation of both serving dishes and height, a feast for the eyes where guests can see everything available.
I stacked pretty tea party scalloped plates, silver rimmed plates and pink napkins to elevate tins of tea, mini preserves (jams) and a Silver 2-tiered Server full of sweet treats. Lemon, chocolate and caramel slices, oh my! I had so many, extras were displayed on Clear Cupcake Stands.
The cupcakes wrapped in these beautiful cupcake wrappers were displayed on Cupcake Pedestals and elevated further by a book on tea service.
The Queen's very own corgis are also present at this celebration! A tin cookie (or biscuits in England!) box elevates a cake plate full of fabulous corgi cookies.
No tea party is complete without scones and delicate tea sandwiches. I served a selection of these on the a White Round 2-Tiered Treat Stand.
Next as my nana would say, "Don't forget shortbread!" She was from England and always served shortbread with tea. These lavender shortbreads are a particular favorite of mine.
One of my favorite displays at this Royal Tea service was the Small Cake Dome Favor Containers I used to display chocolates & truffles. I added a Crown Charm to the top of each to tie in with the royal theme. Additional truffles sat on Mini Square Dessert Plates.
The last items I added to my tea service were tea party essentials. A crystal cut creamer, a crystal cut dish for sugar cubes, as well as tongs and appetizer forks for "proper" serving.
A Pretty Palette:
Another nod to England you will find in this tea party is the color palette. I chose the beautiful pinks and blues used by the fabulous British store Fortnum and Mason. Their teas and tea service are legendary. I also used their Countess Grey tea in my Royal Pimms Punch recipe.
I brought the palette into the party through the wrapping paper in the backdrop, the bunting flags, tins and by painting teapot and tea cup planters to hold the florals, garden roses and daisies.
A Delicate Take Home Favor:
After the last glass of bubbles is poured, cup of tea served and if you're celebrating the Royal Wedding. It's time to say goodbye to your guests. Send them home with a sweet smelling favor reminiscent of the English country garden setting - dried roses in Clear Cylinder Boxes tied with a pink ribbon.
Photography: Photography Hill
