18 Elegant Adult Tea Party Ideas
Jason Buxton
Contributor
Who says that kids get to have all the fun when it comes to tea parties? We love the idea of an adult tea party! One of the great things about hosting this type of event is the variety of adult tea party ideas that are available. From tea party games for adults, to the finger sandwiches and fancy dress code, hosting a tea party has never been more exciting.
You could choose to go the Mad Hatter route and create a topsy-turvy scene where your theme, decor, and color palette are somewhat surreal and bizarre. Alternatively, opting for a Bridgerton style elegant tea party may be more your speed. You can also choose a southern or vintage tea party theme—the possibilities are endless.
No matter what specific type of tea party you choose to host, this theme is the perfect way to celebrate a springtime birthday, bridal shower, or baby shower. The elegant aesthetic makes an ideal backdrop for any type of occasion.
Here are 18 tea party ideas for adults:
Host at a Unique Venue
Private Garden
If the Secret Garden is unavailable, perhaps a private garden might just be the next best thing. Every city or town from New York to San Francisco will have an option to suit your vision. From secluded patios to tree-encompassed lawns, these beautiful open-air spaces often allow open interpretation of how you choose to set up for your event.
Mansion
Why not choose to host an adult tea party somewhere truly extravagant? Sometimes it’s worth going big, and you can ensure your event lives long in everyone’s memory should you choose to rent a magical mansion to host it. With sprawling gardens and enchanting interiors, settings like these would suit the occasion down to a “tea.”
Host in Your Backyard
Whether you’re saving on budget or you just happen to have an incredibly gorgeous backyard, it’s not a bad idea to hold your function close to home. You will also receive complete creative control over how you decide to decorate—allowing you to get as wild with your ideas as possible.
Live Music
Any fine occasion calls for a decent selection of music to indulge in. We suggest going with something a little orchestral—for instance, having a harpist or cello player perform something subtle yet irresistible for your ears. Since you’re the one making the rules, you could organize a band or DJ; it would all just depend on how traditional or contemporary you intend to make the event. Listen to our tea time Spotify playlist for music inspiration.
Tarot Card Reader
Now, it might not suit all adult tea party aesthetics; however, for those wanting to go a little further down the rabbit hole, a tarot card reader offers memorable fun for guests. If you’re leaning into a more colorful theme, you can ask your reader to decorate their storefront accordingly—as well as wear an appropriate outfit.
Stay on theme with the magic of a tea leaf reader! The Bash has talented fortune tellers that offer all types of unique services, including tea leaf readings to compliment your tea party theme.
Hire a Bartender
Arrange a mobile bar service or book bartending professionals to work a station—whatever you choose, these experts can help keep things feeling vibrant throughout your function. A local bartender can craft tea themed and infused cocktails to go along with your adult tea party theme.
More Adult Tea Party Ideas
Lawn Games
When planning tea party games for adults, lawn games are great fun and easy to arrange. For those taking inspiration from Alice In Wonderland, croquet might fit your theme—just make sure no innocent flamingos and hedgehogs are involved.
For a more casual celebration of afternoon tea, opt for classic lawn games like cornhole or bocci. You can also play card games like cribbage, rummy or poker.
Lots of Tea Cups
Well, of course a tea party needs teacups—but we’re talking about gathering a wide assortment of them. You can really make your event stand out by finding cups of all different shapes, sizes, colors, and designs. After all, variety is apparently the spice of life, so give the people what they want: more tea…cups. Visit your local thrift store to find an eclectic assortment of antique tea cups.
Dress the Part
From Alice in Wonderland style inspiration to pastel colored dresses, this tea party deserves a special themed outfit. Your ensemble will make this get-together feel different from your weekly brunches or normal lunch dates. Invite guests to dress to impress for this adult tea party.
Cake & Sandwich Stands
Despite the importance of having somewhere to store your delicious morsels, cake and sandwich stands give off a very elegant appeal. If you’re working with a professional caterer, they might have some to rent for added convenience—they’ll also know how to turn an average setup into a spectacularly yummy display.
Charcuterie
Any get-together should have a charcuterie board because it offers something for everyone. Arrange an assortment of various cheese, meat, fruit, and nuts for a lite bite in between cups of tea. Assemble your own or book a caterer to provide picture perfect treats for everyone.
Floral Arrangements
Brilliant blooms have a particular way of brightening up any space. Much like any art medium, you can use flowers in many different ways, producing unique results every time. We suggest trying to incorporate your floral arrangements into decorative items like fancy bird cages or special installations to help transform your venue accordingly.
Fancy Furniture
Yes, you’ll want guests to have somewhere comfortable to sit throughout your event. You could also see this as an ideal opportunity to add a little je ne sais quoi to the look and feel of the occasion using eye-catching chairs, tables, and other elements. Tea is associated with that of regal aesthetics, and your furniture setup could accurately reflect it so. Remember to pick out some fabulous linens to help round everything off.
Tea Sandwiches
Almost as iconic as the tea itself, tea sandwiches (and finger foods in general) seem to go hand-in-hand with tea party experiences. You can also organize a wide selection of options to suit everyone's unique tastes and dietary needs. Simple yet oh-so-sophisticated, these bite-sized delights are sure to go down deliciously amongst your guests. Make classic tea time sandwiches with cucumber, tomato, or any other type, as long as the crusts are cut off.
Scones
A quintessential adult tea party food: scones. This irresistible dessert is tied together with the concept of tea time, and it only makes sense to provide them at your event. You might as well go all in and make your gathering the sweetest occasion by filling your dessert stand with all kinds of baked goods and pastries.
Canapés
This famous hors d'oeuvre is made especially for the refined events in life. You can get extra crafty with the various toppings you want to include, not only for taste reasons but for the visual appeal too. They look absolutely stunning on display; but we all know canapés are far better once they’ve been gobbled up.
Tea
As obvious as it seems, tea will play a big part in your party. It’s more than just grabbing a box from the local supermarket; there are so many different kinds of tea on offer to those attending the event. From Oolong to chamomile, diversify your options and explore the unique flavors of each type.
Mimosas
Planning to spice things up a little with a modern tea party? Have a selection of colorful cocktails available so your guests can quench their thirst while settling into the festive atmosphere. Gather champagne and an assortment of fruit juices to mix up delicious mimosas so guests can customize their own. If you’re working with a professional bar service, they’ll help ensure drinks are made quickly and perfectly.
Find more theme party ideas here on The Bash.
