A tea party is always a good idea, whether to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, bridal shower, or baby shower. We’ve listed 5 of our favourite afternoon tea party themes to inspire you.
There’s something just so lovely about a tea party. They are an extraordinary way to come together and commemorate those crucial moments in life. Or just a way to catch up with friends. You can make them extra special simply by adding a theme. Here are 5 afternoon tea party themes we love.
1. A classic vintage afternoon tea party
A vintage theme is one of our favourites because it lends itself to various occasions, such as birthdays, engagements, new babies, and Mother’s Day. To create the perfect vintage atmosphere, consider using your own collection of vintage china, ask friends and family for theirs or pick up some charming pieces from a charity shop or car boot sale. Set the table with traditional linens and fresh flowers to complete the look. And, of course, remember to serve a selection of hot teas, finger sandwiches, and mini cakes for your guests to enjoy. Consider serving some freshly squeezed lemonade and iced tea alongside the more traditional fare for refreshment. We love how classic and elegant a vintage tea party looks.
Mason jar drinks dispenser
We love the mason jar drinks dispenser for soft drinks or homemade lemonade! Plus, it’s a win-win as guests can help themselves. We think this would fit in beautifully at a vintage themed afternoon tea party.
2. A garden afternoon tea party
Get simple and use nature! Make the most of your outdoor area by hosting an afternoon tea party in your own garden. You could set up tables and chairs amidst the flowers and greenery and serve a variety of teas and snacks. Your guests will love taking a break from their busy lives to enjoy the simplicity of a traditional tea party. We love to decorate with lanterns in the trees, twinkle lights on the patio, a few strands of bunting, and a lattice backdrop. These decorative touches will impress the guests and create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Garden afternoon tea parties are particularly great if you enjoy garden games too.
Fabric tea party bunting
This fabric bunting will help you make the most of your garden space for an outdoor-themed tea party. It’s made of soft cotton fabric and can be used multiple times without fading; it’s sturdy and durable and comes in various designs to suit your colour scheme.
3. A ’bring along tea cups or treats’ afternoon tea party
If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to host a tea party and get everyone involved, why not try this simple but creative idea? Invite your guests to bring their own teacups and enjoy a picnic-style tea party indoors or outdoors. You can go all out with a potluck theme and have everyone bring their favourite treats to share, or you can keep it simple with a selection of teas and finger foods. This idea is great for family’s catching up or a casual friend get-together. This is a fun way to host an afternoon tea party and is a little outside the box!
Paper afternoon tea cups
How fun are these paper afternoon tea cups! We think these are great to bring along to an afternoon tea party. At least you know they won’t break on the way! Plus, they are really affordable.
4. A fairy tale tea afternoon tea party fit for a princess or an underwater adventure
These are lovely ideas for little ones. For the fairy tale theme, transform your home or party venue into a magnificent castle fit for royalty, or venture outdoors for a charming garden tea party in a magical woodland setting. Embrace the fairy tale feel by choosing tea sets and placing settings in delicate pastel hues like lilac, pink, or blue. Incorporate fun activities like making your own flower crowns or magic wands.
The underwater theme lets you get incredibly creative and immersive for the little ones. To achieve this, you can adorn your space with aquatically-inspired balloons and decorations and cover your walls in iridescent chiffon fabric shades of blues and greens. If you’re hosting outdoors, consider creating a mini-beach area with buckets and spades for added fun. Add in a treasure hunt for good measure!
Under the sea cake stand
We love this under the sea themed cake stand and think it’s the perfect centrepiece for an afternoon tea party. It’s fun and reusable! It’s an affordable but stand out piece.
5. And, of course, a Mad Hatter’s afternoon tea party!
We included a Mad Hatter’s tea party theme in our recent article helping you to plan an afternoon tea party at home. Hosting a tea party inspired by Alice in Wonderland is a delightful idea to impress your guests. Create a colourful outside tablescape with fresh flowers, classic teapots, and big, comfy chairs. Encourage your guests to dress up as their favourite character from the story while you take on the role of the Mad Hatter. If you’re looking for a different Alice in Wonderland-inspired theme, consider a Queen of Hearts-inspired party instead. Use red and black as your colour scheme, and decorate with oversized chess pieces, playing cards, and heart-shaped accents. Indulge in mini red velvet cakes and cups of tea before enjoying outdoor games.
You can read our how to throw an afternoon tea party at home article here.
That’s our 5 afternoon tea party themes we love! Remember to focus entirely on the details, such as the decor, food, and dress code, to fully immerse your guests in the theme. With some creativity and planning, your afternoon tea party will surely succeed!