It’s lovely and fun to organize a tea party – and just a little planning is all it takes! 🙂 One of our fellow M&T readers asked me about a tea party table a while ago, and I realized I hadn’t really ever shown you one, so here we go!
As you can see in the picture below, you don’t have to go overboard when you organize a tea party – it just has to be pretty, and have tea at it!
This post is just about the table, but if you want a complete plan for hosting the perfect tea party, you’re in luck! I just released Mantel and Table’s new Perfect Tea Party Planner, that you can grab for only $11! Just click HERE (But come back when you’re done, for the rest of the post!)
A beautiful tea service
I used a lovely old tea set some of my friends talked me into during a beach shopping trip once! And I’m really glad I got it – it’s so pretty. (These teapots can get very hot, so it’s good to have a tea towel or pot holder handy when you pour.)
Some people worry about buying silver or silver plate because of the tarnish. And lots of other people have lots of interesting ways to clean it. I’ve tried a bunch of them, but they seem to take just as long as silver polish, and have never worked as well for me. (If you have a favorite method, please share in the Comments – I love trying new things!)
I find the best way to keep my silver shiny, is to use it often. Each time I wash it out, I give it a quick once-over with Wright’s Silver Cream. I don’t have to scrub, just wipe and rinse, and it stays lovely and clean and shiny.
Organize some flowers when you organize a tea party
Another thing to consider when organizing a tea party, is the flowers. There’s just nothing like a beautiful flower arrangement or centerpiece to give your tea table an elegant and festive touch.
And it doesn’t have to be super fancy or difficult. Here, I just popped some grocery store alstroemeria and tulips into a wine bucket, and there you have it! And actually, a more casual and free-form arrangement is really nice for contrast against the more formal place setting.
The right pieces
There – isn’t that a nice seque into the place settings?
The thing to remember about any place setting is that you only put out the pieces you need. No more, no less. In this case, it’s just an afternoon tea with light food, so we’ll only need one plate. And of course, teacups!
I chose to put the teacups on top of the plates, even though the more traditional place is below the glasses. But I didn’t have much room, plus I wanted the cups to be the stars of the show. When guests go to the buffet, they can set their cup and saucer up to the left top of the plate, where’s there’s plenty of space.
My silver chargers were perfect here, since my theme was pink and silver. These are so pretty and so easy to care for. Also practically indestructible.
A complete place setting
Here’s a look from above at a complete place setting. I set a spoon for our tea, a fork for our tea food, and another fork for dessert, since that’s all the silver we’ll need. I also set a sherry glass for a little taste with our dessert.
Even though we were having tea, of course, I like to have water available too. I didn’t like the look of the water glasses on the table in this particular setting, so I put them out on the buffet with the water pitcher.
When I organize a tea party, one of my first table considerations is how I want it to look. Then how I want it to feel. This particular party was for a small group who know each other well, so I wanted it to be very cozy. That didn’t leave a lot of room between place settings, so I put the napkin on the charger.
Place Cards
It’s the little touches that make your tea party so much fun. My guests always love place cards – they just feel so special. Here, I printed the names on clear labels and stuck them onto these lovely gift tags I had made for my milestone birthday party. You can order some up for yourself HERE if you want, (Or HERE if you want the actual place card style!) Or you can make your own in whatever style suits your theme.
Because those cards won’t stand up all on their own, I just taped them to these crystal knife rests! Amazing what you can press into service with a little creative ingenuity. Plus they look pretty from the back.
Silver flatware
And speaking of silver, I love using the silver collection my mom started for me in my hope chest when I was 15 years old. She added to it for birthdays and holidays all the time I was growing up. And by the time I got my first home, I had enough for eight place settings. I use it all the time, and it stays beautiful with the same washing/silver polish routine as the tea set. Plus I keep it in a silver chest.
I also love to give a shout out for these super fun napkin rings, which are made by Spoonman Creations at our Saturday Market here in Portland. They really are old spoons and forks that he’s made into such pretty rings.
Pretty glassware
I got these glasses from my mother, who got them from her mother, who may have gotten them from her mother! They’re very old, and very delicate – perfect for a tea party. We had sherry in them with our dessert. And they add such a pretty touch to the table with their intricate design.
I’ve had really good luck finding glasses like this in antique or thrift stores. I’ve even gotten a few at Goodwill from time to time.
Taking care of your guests when you organize a tea party
This tip isn’t strictly “protocol,” but it’s thoughtful, and that’s what entertaining’s all about, right? If you know the handed-ness of your guests, you can arrange their place settings for maximum comfort.
In this case, I put my left handed guest at the end of the table where there’s more space on her left side. And I turned the handle of the teacup to the left so it’s easier to grab.
The Mantel and Table Perfect Tea Party Planner
And if you’d like to make organizing your tea party totally easy and fun, click below to get our new planner!
The teacups
Staying with my theme, I chose teacups that had a lot of pink in them. They were several different styles, but I tried to keep them as cohesive as I could. For instance, they’re all china, all about the same weight and general look. I had a lovely stoneware one I could have used, but it was a lot heavier and less elegant, and didn’t fit with the look of the rest.
Organize a tea party with lovely teacups
So now for all the teacup lovers out there, I’ll give you a closer-up view of each cup.
Here’s one of my very favorites. I wrote a post all about this lovely Paragon pink teacup, if you want more info on it.
And here’s the inside.
This cup has a lovely opalescent shimmer to it, and such fun cutouts.
The teacup below is so pretty. Plus it has a mysterious inscription on the bottom! You can get all the details in this post: a wonderful teacup gift.
I’ve always loved this gorgeous pink and gold teacup. It looks so regal, doesn’t it?
And this one is so cute with its darling little gold feet! It looks like a cousin to the pink cutout one above.
A happy tea party!
So there’s one idea for setting a table when you organize a tea party. There are lots of others, and anything that makes you happy is just right! How do you set your tea tables? Join the discussion in the Comments.
Pin the How to organize a tea party post for later!
And don’t forget the planner!
If you’ve made it this far, I bet you’re really interested in tea parties! To get your very own Perfect Tea Party Planner, just click the picture below! You’re going to love it!
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- Tablescape Thursday 03.23.23 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Thursday Favorite Things 03.23.23 – Hosted by Katherine’s Corner
- Fabulous Friday 03.24.23 – Hosted by South House Design
- Tuesday Turn About 03.28.23 – Hosted by My Wee Abode
- TablescapeThursday 06.27.24 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
SUPER considerate of you to so generously accommodate your lefthanded guest! I’m glad you pointed that out. I’ll keep it in mind!
I agree with you that flowers are an essential part of making a tea so special. Those displayed here are magnificent!!!!
I’m a fellow Wright’s Silver Cream user!!! I swear by it!! I tried a couple of other methods (one of which ended up ruining a silver piece!), but a little Wright’s is all I need! I do have some touch-up cloths that I use in between that I think are from Hagerty.🤔 I used them in my shop for the displays and just happen to have a TON of them left over. I buy Wright’s Silver Cream by the enormous bucket on Amazon. I don’t mind at all taking time to polish silver if I have a good movie or TV show going on a day when the weather makes it a good choice to stay home.
Your assortment of teacups and saucers is fabulous! I think that’s such a special way to individualize the place settings and make guests feel extra special!
You said that tea is essential for every tea party, but I am a rebel. My friends know that coming here for a tea means 🍸🍹🍷🥂 unless otherwise specified!😁
Yaay Wright’s!! You have so much lovely silver, I’m not surprised you love it too! Hahaha yes a tea party can definitely involve other beverages! So nice to see you Alycia! Hope you’re having a fun weekend!
Oh I LOVE a good tea party! Your table looks stunning, Barbara and your teacups are beautiful – I think I have a twin to the one with the pierced saucer – I have a fairly substantial collection :). The flowers, of course, are always lovely – I love them casually arranged in the silver champagne bucket. And offering a tea party planner is a stroke of genius – I hope that does really well for you!
Oooh – another tea cup collector!! I’d never seen one of those pierced saucers before I got this one – they’re so much fun! 🙂 So sweet of you to stop by. Happy Almost Friday!
This is so pretty, and the flowers are a gorgeous color. I love footed teacups but have never found one and every cup is gorgeous. Such a pretty setting to enjoy friends and chat.
Hi Cindy! Aren’t those footed teacups cool? I’m always so excited when I find one. Thanks so much for popping over, and glad you liked the table. Have a lovley week, and hope a footed teacup comes your way soon! 😊
Gorgeous Barbara! I really like how you have place the teacups on the luncheon plates, as the really deserve to be the star of the show, along with your beautiful silver service! As with all royal events, I will be hosting a tea party to celebrate the coronation of King Charles, and your tips will come in very handy! Your flowers are stunning, and just love how light and airy the arrangement feels.
Hi Marueen! Thanks so much! That’s so fun that you’ll have a coronation tea party! I hope it’ll be posted on your blog – I’d love to see pictures! Thanks so much for stopping by, and Happy Almost Really Spring!
This is such a beautiful time of year to slow down and have someone over for tea! I love, love, love all the pops of pink in your tablescape and place settings, and how you remind us it’s more about thoughtful entertaining than protocol. It definitely helps to take the pressure off! hope your spring season is filled with all good things. This is beautiful! Hugs, CoCo
Thanks so much CoCo! So sweet of you to stop by. I hope you’re having a lovely spring as well! 💗
Beautiful! I was just helping my daughter pull together some things for a tea next weekend. It’s so much fun setting up the table. I’m sharing your post with her also.
Excellent! I hope you get to attend her tea party too! 😊 Thanks so much for stopping by and for sharing – that’s sweet of you! Hopping over to your blog now. See you in a minute, and Happy Spring!
Barbara, OOOhhhh that floral arrangement is absolutely stunning. And I adore your beautiful etched water goblets.
You always set such a lovely table. Thank you for this awesome eye candy. Hugs.
Hi Michele! Any time! 😊 So glad you liked it, and hope you’re doing well over there – looks like you’re warming up a bit. Take care and enjoy this springtime!
Oh my goodness Barbara. I saw your post on my phone this morning and just knew the phone would not do the pictures justice. I’m so glad I waited until I got home. This is beautiful!! I love your silver tea service and the flowers in your champagne are so pretty. But its the teacups that are the star and they are all so gorgeous. (I know that you are not supposed to have favorites, but that little footed one stole my heart!)
It’s almost like high tea with all this elegance, and I’m sure that anyone would feel honored to join you at your lovely tea table. I hope you have a wonderful time!
Hi! I just happened to glance at my stats a few minutes ago and somebody was on from Calgary! I wondered if that was you! 😊 Isn’t it funny how different pictures look on a phone vs the laptop/desktop? I suppose it’s the photo equivalent of watching a movie on a tiny TV or on the big screen. So glad you liked them, either way! Hope your snow is starting to give way up there – we have cold and rain today after our lovely couple days, but that’s the way in the springtime. Take care my friend and see you around out there!
Okay, Barbara, I’m on the way! Keep the tea hot and the treats yummy! I adore setting special tables for tea parties and this one is particularly special. So serene, it’s an invitation to slow down and savor — food, friends, conversation. The tablecloth is lovely, the silver pieces gorgeous, the flowers beautiful. Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Haha – definitely holding your spot! 😊 It’s so fun to share these with other tablescapers. I overhead my husband on the phone the other night saying “how about dinner at 8” and you jumped right into my mind! I’ll think of you again at 8:00 next weekend when our guests sit down to dinner! Thanks so much for popping over, and hope you have a lovely weekend!
Oh how I love a tea party ! Barbara this is such a beautiful table love the different tea cups at each setting.
The napkin rings are lovely with your silver and I can’t wait to order a set .
You always inspire me with your ideas and thanks for the place cards I agree they make our guests feel special .
I will be dreaming of tea parties while lambing today ( lambing season has begun on the ranch ) baby lambs
really remind us spring is coming .
I feel a party coming on … oh a welcome spring tea
Meanwhile back at the barn , is there anything cuter then a baby lamb ?
Ooooh – baby lambs!! Can’t wait to see pix of that! 🐑 So glad you like the table. You’ll love your place cards and spoon napkin rings – SO much pretty fun! Maybe I’ll end up out at your place someday and we can have a tea party with the sheep and cows! 🤣 Thanks so much for stopping by in between the lambing sessions – always great to see you!
What can I say Barbara? It’s all about the T. You put the T in Tea Party. Like always you did not disappoint. Everything is so exquisite, so beautiful, so elegant and mostly so inviting. I love everything and can’t pick a favorite this time.
Thank you so much Edmee – you’re always so encouraging and thoughtful! I so appreciate you being here and sharing all this fun. Hope you’re doing well out there. Take care and Happy Almost Weekend!
Oh how I would love to come to your tea party Barbara! Your table is beautiful and so well thought out. I love that you use the traditional formal things when you entertain, the silver tea service, the fine china and silver flatware, the champagne bucket for flowers…I have all those things, wedding gifts from years ago, but they just sit unused in my dining room china cabinet 🙂 Your silver chargers are gorgeous and I love all your pretty tea cups. Your tips about pairing down the place settings to only what you will need and taking your guests “handedness” into consideration, are so smart. What a treat it would be to come to one of your lovely parties!
Hi Jenna! Anytime you’re in Portland, you just give a call and we’ll have a tea party! 😊 And whenever you’re ready and have time to use your silver, I know you’ll do something gorgeous with it. You’re so creative with your tables. AND your meals and your artwork too! In fact, now I’m getting hungry. Hopping over to your blog for some dinner inspiration! Thanks for stopping by my friend!
I’m not even sure where to begin! Words are tumbling out…charming, exquisite, elegant, creative, delightful. How could your guests NOT feel special, honored, spoiled, awestruck with all the details you have thought through so thoroughly. What an incredibly special way to spend an afternoon. This is so much more than just a tea party. It is a gesture, in the face of our crazy world, that beauty, grace, warmth and friendship have extraordinary power.
Oh Kristine, that’s a beautiful thing to say – I’m honored and touched! Your last sentence is exactly why I entertain. I’m so glad you see it that way too! 💗 Thank you so much for your visit and your kindness.