Our daughters and I recently hosted a Bridal Shower-English Tea Party for our youngest daughter. It was such a fun day and experience. For months, we studied traditional English Teas, decorations, and recipes and finally came up with what we wanted.
Hats, gloves and pretty dresses were encouraged
We went with an English Garden theme for decorations
with lots of lavender, ivy, herbs and succulents.
Our menu consisted of four courses, and all of the recipes were tested to make sure they fit the bill for the day! We tried different loose leaf teas from Tealyra, The London Tea Merchant, and Plum Deluxe.
The first course was three tea sandwiches served with Apricot Brandy Tea and Mint Lemonade. Egg Salad with Watercress, Chicken Curry Sandwiches on Wheat, and Salmon Mousse and Cucumber on Pumpernickel.
Second course was English Scones with Clotted Cream, Lemon Curd, and Strawberry Jam. Served with Rosy Earl Grey Tea. You would not believe what we went through to make the clotted cream, but it turned out fabulous!
Our third course was desserts served with our only herbal tea--Soothing Trio, a blend of chamomile, mint, and hibiscus. This plate consisted of Lavender Pistachio Shortbread, a Raspberry Cream Tart, and a Miniature Chocolate Fudge Bundt Cake.
Last, we served a Strawberry English Trifle with a blended tea of Margaret's Hope (Darjeeling) and Jasmine Silver Needle
Rather than traditional "bridal games" we offered little lessons on an English Tea--The History of Afternoon Tea and a Memory Tray Game; English Tea Etiquette; Tea Party Attire; and the Language of Flowers.
I loved this little Tussie Mussie given to the "moms".
We had a wonderful time with lots of love and laughter,
and we look forward to celebrating Abbey and Malachi's wedding in just a little over a week!