A Tea Party: One Popular Wedding Theme for 2011

Are you having an afternoon, spring garden or vintage themed wedding reception? Well, why not add some whimsy to your wedding reception? Have a tea party ! Think "Alice and Wonderland," when designing your wedding! Here are some color, invitation, table, décor, favor, linen, food, drink, entertainment, and wedding cake ideas to help you get started.

When picking your wedding stationary, create a fun whimsical theme. One way is to mix and match different patterns for each element of your stationary. How do different patterns work together? Unify the patterns by having the exact three wedding colors represented in each design. For example, choose a floral invitation, stripe folder, and polka dot reply card. All three elements should include aqua, hot pink, and lime green to unify the invitation. Keep in mind, when you mix and match anything, it gives your setting a very relaxed and casual atmosphere. Perfect for an afternoon tea reception!

What colors would work for this type of event? Choose any three colors of hot or light pink, light purple, orange, yellow, green, or blue/aqua, for your color scheme. Remember - - no more than three! Your design might not be pleasing to your guests' eyes, if you pick more than three colors.

Want to create a casual family atmosphere? Pick long or tea party style tables, set the tables up in rows or family style, and set them up in a garden or park setting. Pick fun busy linen patterns that are similar to your stationary, with solid or mix-and-match dishware , again in your three chosen different colors.

Want a more elegant tea? Mix and match a variety of different sets of English floral china . Select solid colored table cloths or lace ones. Remember - - you can mix patterns as long as your three colors are consistent in all your china and linen choices!

For your centerpieces, collect mason jars, clear or colored monochromaticEnglish vases, teapots, vintage tins, or tea cups and fill them with a variety of flowers that would make one reminisce over an English garden. For example, pick Lilacs, Lavender, Peonies, Black Eyed Susan, Chrysanthemum, Primrose, Violets, Daisies, and Roses for your flower choices. Hang colored or white lanterns over the tables and dance floor. If there are trees around, hang mason jars from the tree branches and add votive candles, to add a little romance. Like your wedding invitation, pick a floral pattern menu and stripe seating card, in all three wedding colors. Find some old black and white family pictures, put them in antique frames, and set them on the cake, gift, card, or head table.

Need favor ideas? How about organza bags, English tea cups, tins, or teapots filled with English tea? Go to the website, "Roses and Teacups," for tea favor ideas.

Don't know what to serve? A traditional tea menu, of course! Offer variety of teas and coffee, finger sandwiches, scones, jam, chutney, petit fours, English tea cakes, and tarts. How to serve tea? Serve family style on tiered plates! Want something more substantial to serve your guests? Why not offer "Shepherd's Pie," "Fish and Chips," or "Bangers and Mash?" These entries sure would be unique pleasers! How could a tea party save you money? Unlike a typical sit down dinner, the menu, included in a tea reception, is less expensive, because it is served during the lunch hour!

Think tea is too girly to serve? Serve Long Island Iced Tea, champagne punch, or traditional English ale! Want some non alcohol choices? Serve iced tea or lemonade with sprigs of lavender in each glass. That would sure be very refreshing and popular!

Whom might you hire for entertainment? Hire a string quartet , to play during your wedding and lunch. Then, after lunch, hire a DJ to play your dance favorites!

Speaking of the wedding cake ! A simple white or off white, two to three tiered cake, decorated with delicate gum paste or real flowers, would be perfect for this celebration. Set the cake on grandma's cake stand for an added extra touch! What flavor to pick? How about the English traditional fruit cake or a carrot cake, with cream cheese or butter cream frosting.

No wonder the afternoon tea party is the perfect match for the upcoming year! From saving money and creating a relaxed family setting - - a tea party is the perfect alterative to the traditional sit down dinner. From color, invitations, table settings, décor, favors, linen, food, drink, entertainment, and wedding cake - - these details will help you get started on creating the perfect family celebration! Now you can sit back, relax, and enjoy! Just don't be late - - for your very important date!

Sources:

www.theknot.com