Whether you’re hoping to spend some quality time with family members, want to plan an elegant get-together with friends, or just need an excuse to play dress-up and enjoy the beauty of nature, a tea party is the perfect solution. On a warm afternoon or even a comfortably cool evening, a garden gathering give you the chance to show off your stunning outdoor space while making lasting memories. Planning a bash like this requires some careful consideration, though. The smallest touches can make a big difference in the vibe and experience at these soirées, from the invitations you send to the snacks you serve.
If you want to be the hostess with the mostess, here are some grown up tea party ideas for inspiration:
Inspiring invitations
Put some thought into pretty personalized invitations and your guests will surely get excited for the event. Even if you’re just inviting five people, this spikes the anticipation of all your potential attendees in the days before the party. Consider floral printed postcards or you could even watercolor your own blossoms onto thick blank paper and use a calligraphy pen to write out all the details. Click link for more floral craft projects
Chic centerpieces
There are endless different flowers that you can use in your centerpiece garden party, but some blooms will look particularly breathtaking. You might place soft lavender hydrangeas, bright Gerbera daisies or lush pink peonies in a porcelain pot. You could also float tea roses or extra fallen petals in an antique bowl or a fountain, if you have one. Keep in mind that you don’t have to put flowers in vases. In fact, a painted teapot or even a watering can provide an unusual way to display a bouquet.
You could also opt for something extravagant and romantic like a vintage bird cage. When filled with sunflowers, lilacs or other blossoms, it has a majestic look that really sets the scene for a fairytale bash. What about a combination of pink asiatic lilies, carnations and white statice arranged into a bouquet? Or, you could opt for a topiary-style arrangement with tall yellow lilies grounded in a terra-cotta pot with button chrysanthemums, roses and a variety of fresh greens, as well as a faux butterfly decoration for good measure.
You simply cant go wrong with a bunch of cheerful white and yellow yellow daisies accented with fresh greenery inside a gingham ribbon adorned vase.
Stunning settings
When your attendees sit down for some light bites and casual conversation, they’ll feel all the more special with a thoughtful table setting. Napkins tied with hemp twine and a single sunflower are a playful touch. You could even slide some seed packets under the forks for fun party favors.
Make place settings feel more personal by painting your guests’ initials onto terracotta pots. Then you could fill them with gourmet chocolates, jelly beans or other confections for them to take home. Small wicker baskets or egg cups could work for holding some goodies as well.
Will children be attending? You could easily put together flower crowns with floral wire and put them at their seats. Alternatively, you might set up a craft station for kids to make one themselves.
Tasty treats
Keep the garden theme going with flower-inspired snacks and beverages. Instead of whipping up overly complicated entrees, keep things simple with tea sandwiches, bowls of fresh fruit, charcuterie and other finger foods for guests to nosh on at their will. Place the emphasis on floral sweets like orange flower scones or lavender cupcakes with lemon frosting. You might make sunflower-shaped sugar cookies and let kids make fun flower designs with different color frosting.
Candied flower petals are pretty simple to make, and serve as both a decoration as well as a delicious dessert. Of course, no garden party would be complete without a variety of teas, but you can also include other drinks to shake things up. A pitcher of hibiscus berry lemonade is a unique idea and incredibly refreshing at any time of year. Follow our How To and Many Uses of Flowers Pinterest board for recipes and tips.
Source: Teleflora – How To Host a Garden Tea Party Like a Pro
