How to Host the Perfect Tea Party

There is something wonderfully timeless about a tea party.

Perhaps it’s the beautiful china, the little sandwiches and cakes, or simply the ritual of sitting around a table with a pot of tea and people you enjoy. In a world where everything seems to move at a million miles an hour, a tea party gives us a lovely excuse to slow down and make an afternoon feel a little more special.

And the best part? You don’t need a grand occasion to host one.

A birthday, bridal shower, baby shower, catch-up with friends—or simply a Sunday afternoon—can all be the perfect reason to bring out the teacups.

Start With a Beautiful Table

For me, setting the table is half the fun.

You certainly don’t need everything to match. In fact, a collection of different teacups, vintage plates and serving pieces can look incredibly charming together.

Start with a pretty tablecloth or runner, add fresh flowers and then bring in your china. Cloth napkins are a lovely touch, and if you're celebrating something special, handwritten place cards instantly make the table feel more thoughtful.

Don't overcrowd it. Leave enough room for guests to comfortably pour their tea, reach for food and, most importantly, relax.

Choose Your Tea

Tea is naturally the star of the show, so have a little fun choosing what you'll serve.

I like to offer at least two varieties—perhaps a classic black tea alongside something lighter or more fragrant.

One of my personal favourites is French Earl Grey from The Berry Tea Shop. It’s beautifully fragrant and feels just that little bit special when you're serving it for an occasion.

If you have several guests, label your teapots or simply let everyone know what you're pouring. And don't forget plenty of fresh milk, sugar and perhaps some lemon slices on the table.

What Should You Serve?

A traditional High Tea-style menu usually includes a mixture of savoury and sweet items, and you really don't need dozens of different things.

Think finger sandwiches, a couple of small savouries, freshly baked scones and two or three sweet treats.

Presentation can make even the simplest food feel special. Cut sandwiches neatly into fingers or small triangles, arrange cakes on pretty plates and, if you have one, bring out a tiered stand.

One of my biggest tips is to choose things that can mostly be prepared ahead of time. You don't want to spend your entire tea party in the kitchen while everyone else is enjoying themselves.

You Simply Must Have Scones

Can you really have a proper tea party without scones?

Serve them warm if you can, with plenty of jam and thick cream.

You can make them earlier in the day and warm them gently before serving, which saves you trying to bake while your guests are arriving.

And then, of course, comes the great debate: jam or cream first?

We'll leave that decision firmly in your hands!

Don't Forget the Little Details

It’s often the things that cost very little that guests remember.

A little jug of flowers picked from the garden. A handwritten menu. A beautiful cake displayed in the centre of the table. Sugar cubes in a pretty bowl. Vintage teaspoons. A small vase beside each place setting.

None of these things are essential, but together they create a sense of occasion.

And that's really what a tea party is about—taking everyday things and making them feel special.

Tea Party Etiquette

A tea party doesn't need to be terribly formal, but good manners never go out of style.

Pour tea for others before yourself, pass plates rather than reaching across the table and place your teaspoon gently onto your saucer once you've finished stirring.

And despite what we sometimes see in the movies, there is absolutely no need to stick your little finger in the air while drinking your tea!

Most importantly, put the phones away for a little while. Enjoy the conversation and the company around the table. After all, that's why you're there.

Don't Try to Make Everything Yourself

This might sound strange coming from someone who bakes for a living, but you really don't need to make every single thing from scratch.

If you love baking, choose one or two things you enjoy making and buy the rest.

Perhaps you make beautiful scones but buy the cakes. Or make the sandwiches yourself and pick up some lovely pastries from your favourite bakery.

Hosting should be enjoyable. Your guests would much rather have you sitting at the table with them than disappearing into the kitchen trying to create twelve different dishes.

Make an Occasion of It

One of the things I love most about tea parties is that they encourage us to make an occasion out of something very simple.

Put on a pretty dress. Bring out the china you normally save "for good". Pick some flowers from the garden. Bake a batch of scones. Invite your mum, your sister or a few girlfriends over.

We spend so much of our lives saving our nicest things for a special occasion.

Sometimes, gathering around a table with people we love is the special occasion.

And if you'd rather leave the baking, decorating and washing up to someone else, that's exactly what we're here for at The Cupcake Co. in Berrima.

We love creating beautiful High Tea experiences where all you need to do is arrive, take your seat and enjoy a pot of tea, delicious food and a few hours with your favourite people.

Because we think there should always be time for tea.

- Ali x