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An elegant afternoon tea party is a great way to entertain guests. Be it a high tea wedding reception, baby shower, birthday, or an anniversary, use our fabulous tips to host the best high tea party in town!
Does the idea of a tea party conjure up images of dainty teacups, lace tablecloths, Victorian décor, and scenes from Alice in Wonderland? You're both right and wrong! Tea-parties are a British-era tradition. But, they have certainly evolved over time.
In this guide, we introduce you to this fun tradition of high tea parties and share tips and recommendations on how to organise a high tea event at home or at your office.
A Quick History Lesson
High-tea parties are often considered a gentlemanly affair, popular with the upper class. Initially, high tea was enjoyed by the British working class. It was the time when they gathered to enjoy the evening supper. It was a hearty meal – and didn't just include finger sandwiches and scones that we associate with tea parties today.
The Evolution of High Tea Party
Today, a high tea party is considered a between meals event and is usually scheduled from mid to late afternoon. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a formal event. Instead, it has evolved to become a casual affair. It’s common for both men and women to attend high tea events. It is one of the most popular ways to entertain business clients.
High Tea Party – Perfect for All Celebrations
If you don't want to host an elaborate sit-down dinner or lunch, a high tea party is your answer. It's ideal for several celebrations like:
- Wedding receptions
- Baby shower
- Bridal shower
- Family gatherings
- Graduation party
- Friends get-togethers
- Birthday celebration
- Anniversary celebration
- Retirement party
- Client meets, etc.
It's fuss-free and gives the host plenty of time to catch up with all guests. The food for high tea parties is prepared before the guests arrive. It is either served in a buffet or passed around in individually plated boxes to each guest. Since the food is already plated and ready to be served, the host has plenty of time to relax and catch up with the guests.
The guest list can be accommodated to include just one special guest or dozens of people. It can be either a formal affair hosted in a corporate meeting room or a causal affair at your home. Now that you've seen the nuts and bolts of a tea party let's examine how to organise one.
Helpful Tips to Plan and Organise a High Tea Celebration
Follow these handy tips, and soon you'll be crowned the queen/king of high teas in your social circle.
01 Decide on the date and guest list
Like any other celebration, the first step is to decide on the date, venue, and list of guests attending the event. Once you have finalised all these details, the next step is to send out invitations. You can keep the invite formal or casual, depending on the event. For a fun casual invite, you can include a gourmet tea bag and the paper invite, as it sets the tone for your party.
02 Deciding the High Tea Menu
High teas are all about finger-foods, snacks, short plates, and nibbles. Make sure to include a mix of both savoury and sweet dishes. Classic high tea dishes include:
- Finger sandwiches
- Pastries
- Scones with jam
- Cookies, cupcakes
For an Indian twist, include our favourite tea-time snacks like bhajis, pakoras, samosas, chaats, kebabs, etc. Does the thought of preparing an array of dishes make you sweat? Worry not! Just give Captain Joe a ring, and we'll handle all your foods for the event. Complete customisation, hygienic, and quality dishes at the most affordable prices, you're sure to impress your guests with our array of high tea treats in Gurgaon.
03 Setting the Table & Prepping the Cutlery
High teas are generally formal and classy. So, make sure to spend some time setting the table. Use plain white tablecloths – laundered and neatly pressed. For a more elegant feel, you can include lace tablecloths, lace dollies, etc. Arrange the sandwiches, scones, cupcakes, pastries, and other treats in silver/ceramic trays with serving spoons, so that guests can choose what they prefer.
04 Serving the Tea
Of course, tea is the star of the show. You can use two warm beverage jugs – one for tea and one for coffee. Alternatively, you can display tea bags in various flavors and serve hot water in a kettle. Guests can choose their preferred tea flavours to try.
Along with the tea, serve the other condiments like warm milk, sugar cubes, lemon wedges, honey, etc. so that guests can flavour their teacup as per their preferences. Make sure to stack spoons, cups, and saucers on the table so that guests can use it as needed. Don't forget to include a large tray, where guests can discard used cups and saucers, spoons, and other cutlery.
05 High Tea Decorations
The best and most royal looking decorations for high tea parties are flowers. Head to your local florist for floral bouquets to decorate the venue. Place a bunch of daisies, long-stemmed roses, or other seasonal flowers in tall glasses at each table.
Finally, relax and enjoy the time with your guests as you sip on your favourite tea. With our tips, you’re sure to host a rocking high tea party. For the best high tea catering in Gurgaon, give us a ring and let Captain Joe wow you and your guests.
