| Are you planning a bridal shower but want to | | | | cloth. |
| make it a bit different than the usual shower? | | | | To accompany the tea, serve dainty sandwiches |
| Consider incorporating an afternoon tea theme | | | | filled with cream cheese and cucumber slices. |
| into your plans. The event doesn't need to be a | | | | Scones with homemade preserves and thick |
| serious high tea with straight faces all around. | | | | cream are also applicable for this theme. Small |
| Make it fun for the bride and the guests by going | | | | cookies and squares will introduce some diversity |
| all out and encouraging everyone to get involved. | | | | to your party menu. |
| Make it fun for the bride and the guests by going | | | | An afternoon tea bridal shower isn't complete |
| all out and inspiring everyone to get involved. | | | | without, of course, the tea. But don't feel |
| If you want your guests to arrive prepared, | | | | constrained to only this beverage. You can serve |
| make sure their invitation states that they are | | | | iced tea, coffee, or punch as well, but keep in the |
| invited for an afternoon tea party. Hint that they | | | | spirit by serving all of the drinks in tea cups. |
| bring items to help lighten the mood, such as | | | | If you have lots of room, set up dainty tables |
| fancy gloves, hankies or hats that they can use all | | | | with four or five chairs at each table for the |
| through the shower. Getting the guests involved | | | | atmosphere of smaller parties going on at the |
| before the shower means fewer surprises during | | | | same time. If tea is the main beverage, you can |
| the shower and gives them a heads up as to | | | | set up one pot per table and let your guests help |
| what they can expect. There will always be some | | | | themselves. |
| guests who won't feel comfortable participating, | | | | Keep the bride involved in the theme by providing |
| so don't let them get you down. | | | | some tea party garments for her. She may |
| It's also a great idea to have some extra | | | | appreciate the theme since it will take some of |
| costume pieces for guests who don't have | | | | the attention and pressure off of her as the |
| anything at home that they can bring. | | | | guests get caught up in their tea party. Having a |
| The best way to get the atmosphere of an | | | | theme also helps to keep the festivities going |
| afternoon tea is to serve tea in fancy tea pots. | | | | without those awkward silences that occasionally |
| Borrow these from friends and family if you don't | | | | happen because it gives people who don't have a |
| have them yourself. Just be careful with them to | | | | lot in common something to talk about. |
| make sure they don't break. You'll also require | | | | Make sure that you and your co-hosts are willing |
| fancy tea cups and saucers and entice everyone | | | | to jump head first into the shower theme. The |
| to drink with their pinkie fingers in the air! Make it | | | | more you are willing to get into it, the more willing |
| light-hearted and turn it into a shower game! | | | | your guests will be to follow suit. Your enthusiasm |
| You can also use tea pots as vases and fill them | | | | will be contagious and will make everyone else |
| with fresh flowers. These would make excellent | | | | more comfortable to join in. If you're having fun, |
| centerpieces, set on a napkin or embroidered | | | | your guests will too. |