One Star Shining Bright: Afternoon Tea

More and more couples are choosing to serve Afternoon Tea instead of the traditional 'meat and two veg' Wedding Breakfast.

Inherently quintessentially British

Think grandeur, high society, indulgent bite sized mouthfuls of deliciousness-small enough to allow conversation and time for laughter and sharing amongst an atmosphere of gentility in a truly charming spot.

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.

Henry James

Best things first-THE FOOD
Menu
Obviously a wide selection of tea from Earl Gray to Peppermint served in an elegant vintage teapot (no wooly,( knitted by your grandma) tea cosies here) served with sugar cubes (with a heart on-don't forget the sugar cube tongs either) and of course a dainty milk jug and those lemon slices for those who don't do dairy. Not forgetting the coffee for those who just want the experience.

Thinly sliced savoury finger sandwiches make with freshly baked bread-umm I can smell it now (don't forget to remove the crusts) filled with any of the following. Just pick your favourites:

Smoked salmon and cream cheese

Egg mayonnaise and mustard cress

Coronation Chicken and Minted Crème Fraîche

Beef and Horseradish

Turkey and cranberry

Honey roast ham and Pommery mustard

Humous and Red peppers

Warm scones filled with Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry preserve (rather than jam) for an added touch of quirkiness why not have heart shaped scones. The ones shown below have an egg-wash to give them that golden colour.

Platter of cakes, miniature desserts, fruit tartlets, sweet french pastries, dainty, delicate and perfectly formed deliciously mouth-watering petit patisserie exquistely baked.

Or simply put:

Ground Almond and English Butter Shortbread

Chocolate eclairs

Chocolate Mousse with Orange jelly

Cherry Bakewell Tart

Not forgetting the all important (vintage if possible) glass of champagne.

THE TABLE
All this gorgeously indulgent fabulous food must be served on the finest china. If it is patterned with small flowers and has a gold rim this will help to add quaintness to the whole atmosphere, and if it is vintage, you should be awarded an entertaining star. Search Amazon.com for vintage china tea set

Search charity shops, car boot sales, auctions, ebay, your friends, family and if all else fails hire what you need. The following sites may assist. They include those to hire and to buy. Happy hunting.

http://www.vintageteasandrsvps.co.uk/gallery.html

http://www.foralltheteainchina.biz/index.html

http://www.steptoesantiques.co.uk/acatalog/Antique_Vintage_Tea_Coffee_Sets.html

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43073989

http://www.theteapotshoppe.com/popo.html

http://www.lady-of-the-lake.com/vintage-teacups.html

http://www.vintagedays.co.uk/HireServices.htm

http://www.idyllicdays.com/index2.php

http://www.theenglishteaparty.co.uk/default.asp?pageID=24

http://www.mildreds-antiques.com/cupandsaucer.htm

http://www.traditionalflower.co.uk/traditional/home.htm?id=17

http://www.everythingstopsfortea.com/

http://www.allthetea.co.uk/tableware-hire.php

Silver cutlery, cake knives and teaspoons are essential. Search Amazon.com for silverware. As are napkins. Patterned or plain work well as long as they tie in with the colour scheme. A napkin tie is the ultimate attention to detail and should not be overlooked. (I have step by step instructions on how to make the one shown below on my craft page)

Don't forget a tablecloth! Have some crochet doilies if you like, but that may just be taking it a step too far.

Serve your tea-time delights on 3 tiered silver Cake stands, although mirrored cake stands also work well.

Ensure you have lots of English country garden flowers in pretty but low level arrangements.

And finally, a thoughtful little keepsake gift for guests to take as they leave will make them feel special and loved. Ideas that are 'tea' related will put a smile on your guests face that subtly expresses the awe they have for your ingenuity.

Tiny silver or gold tea spoons

An assortment of individually wrapped unusual flavoured tea bags

A tea towel (if this was for your wedding, you could have them specially printed with your names and the date of your wedding)

A pretty teacup and saucer

A tea plant

A teapot stand

A tea cosy

For something quirky why not a gift related to Alice in Wonderland.

A pocket watch

A miniature Alice in Wonderland book

Playing cards

A Chess piece keyring