Tabletop Wedding Tea Decorating Ideas
Tea party wedding receptions have become popular in recent years. Featuring finger foods and a selection of teas, these receptions are normally held in the afternoon. Not only do they lend a classical feel to your event, but they can fit into almost any budget. You can make the tea reception as sophisticated or as whimsical as you would like, using all of the table elements as décor.
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Linens
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Antique lace or linen is a lovely way to dress your tables. Drawn from the English tradition, afternoon tea receptions can give the feel of a Victorian tea room. Use vintage white lace or linen tablecloths and napkins to achieve that. For a less antique feel, drape the tables with floral tablecloths. Choose solid napkins that draw from the floral colors. For a simpler décor, cover the table and chairs in white and use different colored pastel napkins and chair sashes to add a punch of color. If you want a more modern feel, use black instead of pastel.
Table Settings
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Your guests can enjoy their own tea setting. China is a must for a tea reception. If your tablecloths are solid, go with floral patterned dishes. If you choose floral linens, use plain white china or settings with a simple accent. Every guest should have a tea cup with a saucer, teaspoon and small plate. If servers will pour the tea, have the sugar bowl and creamer match the china. If your guests will choose their tea and pour hot water from teapots on the table, coordinate the bowl and creamer with the kettles. For a more playful reception, provide each guest with a teapot for one that steeps the tea over a cup and saucer. You can coordinate the tea sets for everyone at the table or mix and match sets throughout the room.
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Food Displays
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Your menu can be designed around your color theme. Traditional teas feature three-tiered serving plates. Depending on how many people are seated at each table, you may need several of these. By filling them with desserts, you can incorporate the colors of the wedding party. Petit fours, cupcakes and cookies can be frosted with the appropriate colors. If you are serving finger sandwiches or other appetizers, surround or alternate your tiered servers with small platters of that food.
Centerpieces
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Use cupcakes iced like flowers for your centerpiece and dessert. As a budget-saving idea and unique decoration, fill a three-tiered serving plate or cup cake tree with floral-frosted cup cakes for your centerpiece. A small floral bouquet is a classic centerpiece that is appropriate for any tea party. Use teapots to hold a flower arrangement. Make a centerpiece out of tiny parasols surrounded by flower petals. For a more light-hearted tea party, design your centerpieces around "Alice in Wonderland" symbols, such as the Mad Hatter's top hat or over-sized playing cards. Spring is a natural tie-in to a tea party and symbols like birds and bumble bees work well as centerpieces or accents.
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References
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