Spill the Tea: 11 Lavish Secrets to Hosting a High Tea Garden Party - Covers and All (2024)

Hosting your first ever garden party or looking to throw a lavish tea bash? There’s no better time than the spring season to host a high-end garden tea party. Imagine it now: your garden, filled with chirping birds, a decked-up tea table, cozy patio chairs (dolled up in elegant chair covers), fancy floral arrangements, and delightful weather is all you need to ring in the season and socialize with your friends and family while sipping, snacking, and laughing.

Flower Power

A garden party isn’t complete without flowers! A bouquet of spring blooms perfectly placed in a clear glass vase will make for a delightful first grab of attention at your party. When staged cohesively, the decor makes for the perfect point of focus for any tablescape.

Keep it Casual

You can opt for simple white festive platters to serve your guests. If you keep these elements plain, you can then add colorful flowers and printed chair covers to keep a thematic cohesion for individual place settings.

Add an Exquisite Centerpiece

For this laid-back tea party, a simple flower arrangement is the ideal DIY centerpiece. Begin by arranging huge blooms in a stone dish. Fill up the arrangement with smaller flowers and stems. A few sprigs of greenery hanging over the edge to complete the look.

Plan Your Menu

An exhaustive menu of food doesn’t do anyone any favors at a high tea party, least of all the host of the engagement. As you plan your party, you have to decide on a menu. Keeping cuisine fuss-free can make your job infinitely easier.

What to Serve

Start by serving appetizers or hors d’oeuvres on an elegant wooden tray or a wood cutting board. A mix of both classic and widely enjoyed snacks is a must-have for any backyard garden tea party. Finger sandwiches are the perfect entree to pair with a simple tossed salad and assorted sliced fruits as side dishes.

How to Serve it

Serving your cuisine on a vintage brass serving platter and treats in a tiered stand gives an eclectic touch to the garden party. Don’t miss out on cake pedestals! Arrange a variety of fruit and cheese on a wood cake stand for height and dimension.

Spill the Tea

A tea party without the tea? Think again. Herbal teas are an excellent choice for a garden tea party, especially when in the company of springtime floral companions. Keeping coffee and some cool beverages is a good idea as an alternative for non tea drinkers.

Serve a large pot of tea with a few sprigs of fresh mint, placed into the pot shortly before pouring to amplify the flavor. You can even even make a pitcher of iced tea as a cool alternative to your warm brew.

Something Sweet

Have honey, sugar, stevia, and agave handy for a touch of sweetness for your guests. As for dairy options? Plant-based is the new normal, though whole milk should satisfy your more bovine inclined friends.

Create Cozy Outdoor Seating

Add chair tables outside with throw pillows and a cozy blanket to add a heightened level of inviting comfort for your guests. You can even go the extra mile by adding a pair of ottomans and chaise with colorful ottoman covers or chaise covers to keep all design elements harmonious.

Take Home Bouquet

Provide fresh flowers, vases, stem cutters, and everything else guests will need to make their own arrangements on a large table covered in kraft paper for easy cleanup. Make sure there are enough supplies for each guest to take home their own bouquet to enjoy.

Instead of knotting up the bouquets with a usual thread or a string, add a luxe touch with premium quality flair that will leave tea party guests with a piece of your elegance to remember. Use kraft paper sheets or gift-wrap tied with a half-yard of silk or velvet ribbon. Look for ribbon bits or pieces at your local arts and crafts store. Just a half yard of ribbon will create a magical feel.

Finishing Touches

Above all, the secret to throwing a successful garden tea party is to be a courteous host and prioritize your guests’ comfort. Whether that means lifting your outdoor sectional covers for the occasion or calling in a catering order to your favorite local deli, think of it as a reason to celebrate the season of spring, all of its beauty, and the gorgeous blooms coming alive in your backyard.