How to Decorate Your Tea Party Table
Decorations for an Unforgettable Affair
Decorating the table for your tea party can be intimidating because unlike other parties, the entire event is staring at the table. You have the power to set the tone and mood for your tea party with the table decorations alone. What you place on the table also enhances the overall experience for your guests. But put your worry aside. With these simple tips and thought processes, you will begin to plan your tea party table decorations with ease.
The Table Cloth is Your Canvas
In my early years of Tea Parties, I used different color and textured table cloths. Some were pastel, some were lace. It actually wasn’t until one of my clients had the tables setup with the table cloths before I arrived that my table decorations standards were elevated and set. From then on, I refuse to set a table with anything other than a crisp white table cloth, unless my tea party has a holiday or different theme. Your table cloth is your blank canvas to give you an opportunity to set your color schemes and decorations that pair well together, without the distraction of other colors or patterns in the background. Though my tea parties were nice back then, I really enjoy the strict rule of a white blank table cloth. If you do not plan on using a lot of other decorations with color, using a pastel solid color table cloth with no patterns may still be a great choice.
Finesse with Flowers
Whether you decide to use fresh or artificial flowers, be sure to add these beauties to your tea party table decorations. Unless you have a different themed tea party, choose flowers that go well with the traditional tea party vibe. These can include roses, hydrangeas, peonies, and mums. Just like many other elements of your decor, flowers play a part in setting the stage. I don’t recommend using the cheapest flowers you can find. Invest a bit more here because flowers are important. Keep your color palette of your flowers in a color scheme that stays with the overall decoration.
Centerpiece Creativity
Tea Parties have a whimsical nature about them, and this can carry over into the centerpiece choices. Feel free to be creative with the items you choose to be at the center, holding flowers or the desserts. Create tiered displays by turning bowls or cups upside down and stacking on plates. Use extra tea cups or teapots to hold silverware or other table items. Repurpose vintage tea tins as unique containers for flowers, utensils, or even as quirky placeholders.
Personalized Place Settings
Conversations at the table, people giving the “tea” while getting the tea, are an important part of the event. Conversation can go a lot smoother if guests don’t have to continue to ask each person to repeat their name. You can plan personalized place settings by draping name cards over teacup handles or in front of each plate. When setting the table you can also include blank paper tents and pens so guests can write their name after they are seated. That way people can greet a new friend by name as they ask them to pass the dessert.
Easy pops of color
Remember that blank white canvas tablecloth? Well you will want to use it to your advantage to promote your color choices. Add pops of color simply and in an affordable way by opting to use paper napkins that match your color scheme. This keeps you from washing napkins and brightens the table. Make sure your flowers and napkins have similar colors.
Delightful Details
You can enhance the overall aesthetic with simple touches and additions to the table that your guests will notice throughout the party. Placing doilies under each place setting provides a touch of refinement for little cost at all. Doilies come in one pack of three different sizes from the Dollar Tree. Doilies can also be placed under foods or centerpieces. Buy a string of crystals from the jewelry section in the craft store and hang from a centerpiece for extra sparkle.
Creating a visually stunning and inviting tea party table doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By combining simple elements with creative twists, you can set the stage for wonderful and picturesque event.
