Bridal
Shower Food
 Bridal
Tea: Bridal Shower
Tips for
Hosting a Tea-Party Shower
A bridal tea
is a lovely and charming style of bridal shower. Other terms commonly
used to refer to a bridal tea are bridal shower tea party, and bridal
shower tea.
Though the refined
elegance of the afternoon tea party is almost a thing of the past, it
remains an ideal setting for honoring a special bride in a
sophisticated but relaxed manner. Warm tea, feminine décor,
and light refreshments set a festive mood, and are surprisingly inexpensive.
Bridal Shower
Tea Invitations:
Any pretty, floral
note cards, post cards, or invitations will do for a bridal shower
tea party. A crafty option is buying or making note cards in the
shape of teacups, cutting slits in them with a knife, and inserting a
tea bag, as if it were steeping in the cup.
Bridal Tea Food
/ Menu:
The most essential
element for a bridal shower tea party is, of course, tea! Plan
to serve punch, several different kinds of hot tea, or, if the
weather is very warm, a variety of hot and iced teas. A large carafe
full of hot water and an assortment of tea bags offer plenty of
variety. For a more traditional and elegant look at your bridal tea,
serve tea in China pots. Don't forget the sugar cubes, lemon slices,
a cream pitcher, and honey. The food and menu for a bridal tea is
simple, and yet very elegant. Tea sandwiches, though dainty-looking,
are very easy to make. Salads like tuna, chicken, egg, or seafood are
very popular, and can simply be spread on white bread with the crusts
cut off and cut into 4 triangles, or with cookie cutters. Cucumber
sandwiches, quintessential tea party fare, are delectable with the
wonderful vintage recipe you'll find a little further below.
A bridal shower
tea party is the perfect opportunity to serve a cake complete with
Victorian cake pulls, or an assortment of pretty tarts and
mini-pastries. Crudites, a fruit platter, and cheese and crackers can
round all of the food above into an entire meal. For a more
substantial luncheon, or fancier spread, try adding a few of the
following food and menu options:
-
Deviled eggs
sprinkled with caviar
-
Smoked salmon
-
Shrimp cocktail
-
Mini-quiches
-
Baked brie
-
Sliced ham or
turkey breast
-
Pate
-
Spanakopittes
(mini spinach pies)
-
Mini-spring rolls
-
Strawberries
dipped in chocolate
:
Bridal Shower
Tea Recipe
DILL-CUCUMBER SANDWICHES:
1 package cocktail
rye bread squares
8 oz. cream
cheese, softened
1 packet ranch seasoning
1 medium cucumber,
thinly sliced
Fresh dill
Mix the ranch
seasoning into cream cheese, spread mixture onto bread. Top with one
slice of cucumber and a sprig of dill. Makes 15 sandwiches.
Bridal Shower
Tea Décorating Ideas:
First and
foremost, if you don't have a tea service, you must find one ifyou
are going to host an elangant bridal tea. But before you go out and
splurge on China, remember that a mismatched tea set is easily the
most charming option for an informal bridal shower, and if you plan
to serve several different kinds of tea, you'll be using different
pots anyway! In the weeks before the bridal shower tea party, hunt
through antique shops, flea markets, thrift stores, and sales at home
stores and department stores for a few pretty, quality teapots with
no cracks. If teapots aren't "you," they can be your bridal
shower gift to the bride. Consider buying a teapot that goes with the
bride's China pattern and surprise her by pouring from it at her
bridal shower. To ensure enough cups and saucers for all guests at
the bridal shower tea party, follow this lovely tradition: have each
guest bring a different teacup (new, antique, or from a family
collection) to the bridal shower to drink from. After lunch, wash and
pack all the cups (don't forget to have some newspaper handy) and
present them to the bride as a gift.
The tea service
and refreshments will be the focal point of the bridal shower tea
party, so take your cues from the patterns and colors you find in the
China. White or floral linens are perfect. A 3'x3' floral tablecloth
can be made easily by purchasing a yard of floral calico and trimming
any frayed edges. Fresh and dried flowers are important, too, and
look great grouped in teapots, pretty bowls, baskets, and glass or
ceramic pitchers, as well as ordinary vases. Some upbeat classical
background music completes the ambience for the bridal shower tea.
Bridal Shower
Tea Gift Ideas:
Even if the couple
has registered, you may want to help bring the tea party atmosphere
into their new home with some of the following:
Embroidered linens
Flavored teas and coffees
Tea spoons,
strainers, balls
A tea chest
Espresso cups
Tea cozy or tea towels
Lacy handkerchiefs
A wreath of dried flowers
Recipes for party refreshments
Cake plate
Trays or platters
Many of the
above would make lovely favors.
 Hosting
High Tea the "Proper" Way
Here's what you
should know to really get the most out of the bridal tea you are planning.
According to
legend, tea was discovered by a Chinese emperor nearly 5,000 years
ago when a leaf from the camelia sinensis plant blew into a pot of
boiling water.Today tea is enjoyed all over the world in many forms,
from strong black brews to delicate herbal elixirs.
Serving tea
involves more than simply dropping a teabag into a mug of water and
popping it in the microwave. Like brewing the perfect cup of coffee,
it takes special care to make a proper pot of tea. Here are some tips
to help you get the most out of every precious tea leaf when you host
a bridal tea bridal shower.
Tea Types
Different types of
tea are created by processing the leaves of the camelia sinensis
plant in various ways. Herbal teas, however, are not made with tea
leaves, but with the roots, stems, leaves, berries, and flowers of
many plants.
There are three
main types of standard tea, including black, green, and oolong. Black
teas (including Orange Pekoe and English Breakfast) are the strong
dark brews most often served in the U.S. Green teas are revered in
Asian countries for their delicate grassy flavors and reported health
benefits. Oolong teas look and taste like a cross between green and
black teas.
Loose Leaf vs. Teabags
Teabags are a
convenient choice, but loose leaf teas are usually better in terms of
quality and freshness. If you do use teabags, it's best to buy
smaller packages and use them within three months. For the best
possible flavor, follow the brewing instructions on the box.
Brewing Tips
Follow these easy
steps for a perfect pot of tea:
1) Fill a kettle
or saucepan with fresh, cold water and set it on the stove to boil.
2) Warm the teapot
by filling it with very hot tap water and putting the lid on.
3) Just before the
water reaches a rolling boil, empty the teapot and add one teaspoon
of loose tea per person, plus one extra for the pot.
4) When the water
starts boiling, pour it into the teapot and put the lid on. Allow the
tea to brew for three to five minutes, depending on the type of tea.
(Ask the store clerk for the recommended brewing time when you
purchase the tea.)
5) Stir.
6) Pour through a
tea strainer into cups and serve.
Serving Suggestions
* Offer sugar and
cream with black teas. Oolong and green teas are typically served plain.
* In the British
tradition, tea is served with a selection of light snacks. For an
old-fashioned tea party, serve crumpets, scones, and delicate finger
sandwiches with the crusts cut off.
* If you don't
have a set of matching teacups and saucers, create a charming
mishmash of patterns from flea market finds and thrift store bargains.
* Why wait for the
bridal shower to enjoy the pleasures of tea? Make it a soothing,
uplifting part of your day after busily tending to bridal shower preparations!
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