How to Host a Table for a Ladies Tea
Whether you're setting up an elegant atmosphere for a live role-playing game or need to put on a perfect event for a high-society event, formal tea is the way to go. It is a lighter meal than others, meaning you have less food to prepare and can focus on getting everything perfect. Formal tea parties have very specific rules for how the table should be set up. The look of your tea table sets the atmosphere for the rest of the party and immediately describes you as a host. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Table cloth
- Seat cushions or slip covers
- Tea set (china or silver)
- Fresh flowers
- Vase
- Doilies
- China or silver serving trays
- Formal silverware
- Linen napkins
- Dessert tier
- Tea snacks
- Tea selections on a dish
Instructions
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Prepare the table for setting. Cover it with a tablecloth, either white or a garden print, and place matching cushions or slipcovers on the chairs. If you can't find slipcovers that match your tablecloth, choose an accent color from the tablecloth and find solid slipcovers that match. Choose light, airy colors to give your party a cheery feel.
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Choose a simple tea set with classic lines so it doesn't go out of date. Pure white with gently scalloped edges or a raised floral design should serve you well for years and remain in style.
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Place a short, flower-filled vase in the center of the table on a doily. Glass vases go with everything and green stems look lovely through beveled and frosted glass. Set a creamer pitcher and matching sugar bowl near the vase.
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Set each place in a straight line from right to left in the following order: tea cup with the handle to the right, spoon, butter knife with the blade pointed to the left, plate, and napkin, neatly folded or tufted and tied with a ribbon or secured with a napkin ring that matches your china and table cloth. It is unlikely you'll need forks; tea is usually a finger-food affair.
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Place a dessert tier and several plates of food on the table if it is large enough. If not, set up a side table with a matching table cloth and serve your guests yourself. Shortbread cookies, small cakes, muffins (sweet and savory), fruit tarts and puffs filled with protein like shrimp or crab all make tasty tea snacks.
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Fill your teapot with hot water and set it on a doily. Use a thick-sided ceramic pot or a tea cozy to keep it warm. Place it on the table, along with a china dish of tea bags. Label the tea flavor with calligraphy on a small card. If you have several flavors of tea, place each one in a separate dish to avoid mixing the flavors.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Cup of tea image by Julia Britvich from Fotolia.com
