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Pretty Little Details

  • Blog
  • Hello!
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Style
    • Fashion Hair & Beauty Luxury Handbags Shopping
      How to wear a smocked top // Summer fashion trends 2021

      Summer Fashion Trend 2021: Smocking

      How to wear white in winter: three tips to master wearing winter whites

      How to Wear White in Winter

      How to wear snakeskin this fall // 2020 fall fashion trend

      Snakeskin Print // Fall Fashion Trend 2020

      Pretty Pastels in Havana, Cuba

      Caudalie Premier Cru the rich cream review

      Beauty Review: Caudalie Premier Cru the Rich Cream

      The prettiest silk scarves to wear in your hair // hair scarf styles // scarf hairstyles // silk scarves for hair

      The prettiest silk scarves to wear in your hair

      Pixi Beauty Liquid Fairy Lights & Glow-y Gossamer Duo review and swatches.

      Beauty Details // Pixi Liquid Fairy Lights & Glow-y Highlighter

      The best skincare products for dry winter skin.

      Winter Skincare // The best beauty products for dry skin!

      GG Marmont matelassé leather super mini bag review

      GG Marmont matelassé leather super mini bag review

      Beige pink large Prada Galleria bag.

      Prada Galleria Handbag Review

      Gucci GG Marmont Small matelassé shoulder bag review

      Gucci GG Marmont Small Shoulder Bag Review

      How to choose your first designer bag // Flatlay image with red Chloe Drew bag and sparkly accessories

      How to choose your first designer bag

      Gift idea for your sister: Trinny London makeup stack and a white Instax camera

      Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List

      Beige pink large Prada Galleria bag.

      Prada Galleria Handbag Review

      The best places to shop for mommy and me outfits.

      Where to Buy Mommy and Me Outfits

      Gucci GG Marmont Small matelassé shoulder bag review

      Gucci GG Marmont Small Shoulder Bag Review

  • Travel
    • All Travel Destination: America Destination: Asia Destination: Europe
      Hiking at Mont Tremblant is the best way to see fall colours in Quebec

      Where to see the best fall colours in Quebec

      Cherry blossoms in Paris. Photos of the springtime sakura bloom in France.

      Where to stay in Paris, France

      Winnipeg Summer Staycation

      Cherry blossoms in Paris. Photos of the springtime sakura bloom in France.

      Cherry Blossoms in Paris // Spring Photo Diary

      Hiking at Mont Tremblant is the best way to see fall colours in Quebec

      Where to see the best fall colours in Quebec

      Pretty Pastels in Havana, Cuba

      Rainbow buildings in Havana - how to spend 48 hours in Havana, Cuba

      How to spend 48 hours in Havana, Cuba

      Where to eat, sleep, shop and explore in Scottsdale, Arizona.

      The Pretty Guide to Scottsdale, Arizona

      A blogger's guide to Seminyak Bali. Where to eat, sleep and play.

      The Pretty Guide to Seminyak, Bali

      Thailand Travel Inspiration

      Our trip to Thailand // A cinematic journey through Bangkok, Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai

      Tips for visiting Wat Rong Khun - the White Temple in Chiang Rai Thailand

      Visiting the White Temple in Chiang Rai // Thailand travel diary – part 1

      Ubud’s Rice Terraces & Waterfalls // Bali Travel Diary – Part 1

      Cherry blossoms in Paris. Photos of the springtime sakura bloom in France.

      Where to stay in Paris, France

      Cherry blossoms in Paris. Photos of the springtime sakura bloom in France.

      Cherry Blossoms in Paris // Spring Photo Diary

      The most charming city in Europe: Brugge, Belgium

      Traveling to Europe with a baby. Mom and baby girl in front of Eiffel tower.

      Traveling Europe with a Baby // My Experience & Tips

  • Decor
    • Design Inspiration My Home Tour Parties & Entertaining
      Flocked pink and white christmas tree.

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      The best pink coffee table books for decorating.

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      Feminine Boho Office and Guest Bedroom // One Room Challenge makeover reveal

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      A cozy and glamorous white, black and blush pink bedroom.

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      Little girl nursery reveal. White and gold kids bedroom with dusty blush pink accents and subtle swan theme.

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      How to host an afternoon tea

      How to Host an Afternoon Tea

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Parties & Entertaining

How to Host an Afternoon Tea

April 7, 2021

Hello darlings, today I wanted to share my tips for hosting a traditional British afternoon tea.  Now I know depending on where you live it may not be possible to host small get togethers because of covid restrictions so make sure to bookmark or pin this post for when gatherings are once again allowed in your area.  These photos were actually taken pre-pandemic, when I hosted a few girlfriends for a tea party celebrating my 30th birthday.  To be honest, it’s one of many blog posts that I put on hold sharing since the timing never seemed to feel right while in the midst of a pandemic.  But now that we are over a year into the covid-19 disaster I’m ready to keep sharing the content I love to create.  Anyways, back to afternoon tea…

Afternoon tea is one of my favourite meals to serve for guests. Dainty sandwiches and desserts are so aesthetically pleasing and of course yummy as well.  There is something about a cup tea, that makes you want to sit and linger, promoting wonderful conversations around the table.  But how do you host an afternoon tea, and what should you serve?  I’m breaking it all down in todays post!

How to host an afternoon tea

How to host an afternoon tea

How to Host an Afternoon Tea Party

What to Serve at an Afternoon Tea

Traditionally afternoon tea has three courses. The first course consists of savoury elements such as crustless finger sandwiches followed by scones served with clotted cream and jam. The final course features sweet pastries such as small cakes and tarts. While you can use whatever plates and platters you have available, traditionally food for an afternoon tea is displayed on a three tiered caddy. I’ve linked a few pretty ones here!

How to host an afternoon tea

How to host an afternoon tea

How to host an afternoon tea

Afternoon Tea vs High Tea

Afternoon tea is traditionally served on a lower table in the living room while high tea is offered at the dining table. If you are choosing to serve your afternoon tea in your dining room make sure to have comfortable seating to encourage conversation and allow guests to linger comfortably while sipping their tea.

What Type of Tea to Serve

I personally love all the different selections at David’s tea so I decided to serve a few loose leaf teas of different varieties to my guests. When choosing tea, make sure to consider teas that are both caffeinated and caffeine-free as well as a selection of sweeter and more earthy blends. Rather than brewing multiple pots of tea I recommend letting each guest choose their tea then brew it in their own cup.

How to host an afternoon tea

How to host an afternoon tea

How to Set the Mood for an Afternoon Tea

Setting the mood for your tea party begins with your invitations. A beautiful e-invitation or handwritten note is a great way to set the tone for the party and get your guests excited about the event.  Other considerations when setting the mood include a pretty playlist for background music, a bouquet of flowers for the table and some delicate china to sip your tea from. The china set I used when I hosted my tea party actually belonged to my grandmother who passed away several years back.  If you don’t own your own china, try borrowing a set from an older relative.  They will likely be delighted to see their treasured tea set being put to good use.

How to host an afternoon tea

How to host an afternoon tea

How to Host an Afternoon Tea was last modified: April 7th, 2021 by Jennifer Ashley
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8 comments

Jenna April 9, 2021 at 8:39 am

All of these details are immaculate! I love your china too so much!!

Reply
Astora April 9, 2021 at 7:54 pm

What a wonderful idea for the decoration!
I love the tones and how all the items connected together 🙂

Reply
Ashh April 10, 2021 at 12:31 pm

What a beautiful setting. So pretty!!

Reply
Nicole April 10, 2021 at 7:45 pm

What a lovely table you set! I haven’t served afternoon tea to company in SO long. I need to make plans to do it soon 🙂

Reply
Jennifer April 12, 2021 at 6:40 am

I love doing an afternoon tea! I did one for my birthday about 5 years ago.

Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer

Reply
Lindsay Newton April 12, 2021 at 12:45 pm

This table scape is gorgeous! The perfect afternoon tea set up!

Reply
Jenna Rad April 14, 2021 at 8:50 pm

I feel like I need to bring afternoon teas back to Oklahoma!

Reply
Yolande April 19, 2021 at 5:42 pm

I love being able to use my fancy china tea cups when I can host a tea party.

Reply

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