English Tea Bridal Shower
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Two years ago, our daughters and I hosted an English Tea Bridal Shower for our youngest daughter. It was such a fun day and experience. For months, we studied traditional English Teas, decorations, and recipes and finally came up with what we wanted.
English Tea Bridal Shower – The Invitation
We fashioned our own invitations to match the wedding theme of green ivy and lace.
Hats, gloves and pretty dresses were encouraged for those who attended.
English Tea Bridal Shower – The Decorations
We held the tea in our church fellowship hall, so we had plenty of table space available. For our theme, we chose an English Garden with decorations of lavender, ivy, herbs and succulents. Hobby Lobby became our best friend for nearly a year. We called on close relatives (mostly grandmothers) for any available china, tea sets, and pretty serving dishes.
The Bridal Shower Menu
Our menu consisted of four courses, and all of the recipes were tested to make sure they fit the bill for the day! We tried different loose leaf teas from Tealyra, The London Tea Merchant, and Plum Deluxe. Carefully laid out plans were made for serving, with helpers in the kitchen keeping the tea brewed, while others pushed serving carts around to the guest to serve the courses.
THE FIRST COURSE
The first course consisted of three tea sandwiches served with an Apricot Brandy Tea. Egg Salad with Watercress, Curried Chicken Tea Sandwiches, Smoked Salmon Mousse with Cucumber. We served the sandwiches on tiered plate stands placed on each table.
THE SECOND COURSE
For our second course, we selected English Scones with Clotted Cream served in baskets to keep the scones fresh-from-the-oven warm. Set out on each table were dishes of Lemon Curd and Strawberry Jam. To go with the scones, we served Rosy Earl Grey Tea. You would not believe what we went through to make the clotted cream, but it turned out fabulous! Read about it in the recipe below.
THE THIRD COURSE
During our third course of desserts we served our only herbal tea–Soothing Trio, a blend of chamomile, mint, and hibiscus. This plate consisted of Lavender Pistachio Shortbread, a Raspberry Cream Tart, and a Miniature Chocolate Fudge Bundt Cake based on my Easy Fudge Cake with Ganache Icing. We also made available on each table bottles of Mint Lemonade for a refreshing cool drink.
THE FOURTH COURSE
Last, we served a Strawberry English Trifle in these sweet little trifle dishes that I found on Amazon. To go with this course, we chose a blended tea of Margaret’s Hope (Darjeeling) and Jasmine Silver Needle. For anyone still thirsty, we made available a special loose leaf blend called Royal Wedding, which is still one of our favorite teas.
Tea Lessons
Rather than traditional “bridal games” we offered little lessons on an English Tea–The History of Afternoon Tea and a Memory Tray Game; English Tea Etiquette; Tea Party Attire; and the Language of Flowers. All very wedding bridal-oriented.
I loved this little Tussie Mussie given to the “moms” for a keepsake treasure.
We had a wonderful time as we showered the bride-to-be with lots of love and laughter at our English Tea Bridal Shower.
See more Tea Party Ideas Here.
