With modern table settings and whimsical Alice in Wonderland tropes, many galas, pop-ups, and dinners have proven that teatime can be anytime. Here's a look at some tea-theme catering and decor ideas to inspire your next gathering or to celebrate the next big British event—the birth of Will and Kate's second baby.
Occasions Caterers served hot tea with pink, yellow, green, and blue iced cookies for dessert at the Washingtonian's Alice in Wonderland-theme AT&T Best of Washington Party in July 2014, held at the National Building Museum.
Photo: Antatony Brown/IMIJPHOTO.com
Stacks of teacups and flowers formed clever centerpieces for the Daffodil Ball at the historic Windsor Station in Montreal in April 2012. The Alice in Wonderland-inspired gala featured an upscale version of the popular theme.
Photo: Alexandre Chéron
At the Daffodil Ball, soup was served from a teapot and topped with an edible pocket watch crust.
Photo: Fahri Yavuz Photo Service
For Ruinart Champagne's afternoon tea and auction at the London in Los Angeles in October 2011, event planner Jes Gordon modernized high tea with white linens topped with khaki runners trimmed in bright, neon borders. Ping-pong paddles served as auction paddles.
Photo: Michael Bruckner for WireImage/Getty Images
Guests dined on classic finger sandwiches with cucumber, salmon, and egg salad at the Ruinart Champagne event.
Photo: Michael Bruckner for WireImage/Getty Images
Shoppers sipped free cups of tea at Visit London's "Only in London" pop-up inside New York City's Time Warner Center in March 2010. Event production company Retail Md designed a food display with traditional teatime treats, along with a lush floral arrangement.
Photo: Courtesy of Visit London
Made for the at-home mixologist, Owl's Brew teas are specially crafted for cocktails and can be mixed with a range of spirits, including vodka, whiskey, and rum, as well as craft beers and wines. Flavors include Coco-Lada, a black tea with coconut; Pink & Black, a Darjeeling with a hint of hibiscus; and the Classic, an English breakfast tea blend. In May, the brand will release White and Vine, a white tea with watermelon, pomegranate, and lemon peel. The teas come in eight-ounce bottles for $9.99 and 32-ounce bottles for $16.99.
Photo: Courtesy of Owl's Brew
Guests lined up to get their tea leaf readings at Chicago antiques store Golden Triangle's anniversary party in October 2010.
Photo: Waldemar Reichert
New York-based JPO Concepts' catering team uses Bigelow Tea's Novus collection to craft creative hors d'oeuvres, including fresh burrata cheese served with mint tea pesto.
Photo: JPO Concepts Inc.
Homemade sorbet from JPO Concepts, made with an herbal tea blend featuring hibiscus, rose, apple, and elderberries, offers a refreshing ending to a summertime tea party.
Photo: JPO Concepts Inc.
Specialty cocktails were served in William and Ashley teacups and adorned with white rabbit garnishes at the National Ballet of Canada's sixth annual fund-raiser, which was held at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto in June 2011.
Photo: Gary Beechey
A checkerboard table covering and mismatched gold and silver cutlery added to the mad tea party theme at the gala. Guests received mugs and tea strainers as party favors from Canadian tea seller Teaopia, which is now owned by Atlanta-based retailer Teavana.
Photo: Gary Beechey
Tea house Teaism teamed up with Sticky Fingers Bakery chef Doron Petersan to host a five-course vegan meal in April 2013 at its Alexandria, Virginia, location with tea and sake pairings. The menu by Petersan and Teaism executive chef Alison Swope included a matcha, or green tea, cake with cherry port and almond.
Photo: Courtesy of Sticky Fingers Bakery
Occasions Caterers served hot tea with pink, yellow, green, and blue iced cookies for dessert at the Washingtonian's Alice in Wonderland-theme AT&T Best of Washington Party in July 2014, held at the National Building Museum.
Photo: Antatony Brown/IMIJPHOTO.com
