Throwing the Ultimate Bridal Shower Tea Party

A bridal shower is a pre-wedding celebration for the bride to enjoy with her closest friends and family. Many bridal showers have themes, and there is no better one than a tea party. It’s sophisticated, elegant and simply picture-perfect. Most importantly, since it’s probably the only time that all the bride’s friends are going to be in the same room before the actual wedding day, it gives room for that important friendship conversation that usually predates marriage.

Tips for Hosting a Flawless Tea Party

Traditionally, the mother of the bride doesn’t host the bridal shower (the maid of honor typically assumes the chief shower-planning role), however, mothers are often part of the planning by offering to help with menu planning, decorations, or contribute to the shower without being named on the bridal-shower invitation. Including all relevant members of the bridal party can help create a happier shower day.

Here are some great tips on how to do it and answers to common bridal shower questions:

Who Should Attend?

As the host, you most likely know the bride very well. If she usually prefers small, intimate gatherings, then perhaps it's best to send invites only to her closest friends and family members.

Traditionally, bridal showers are attended by an all-female guest list. But if the bride is open to a more modern experience and inviting the opposite sex, then go Jack and Jill all the way.

Pick the Perfect Party Spot

Since tea parties demand a special atmosphere, a great choice of venue would be a function room in a lovely hotel. This is ideal if you don’t have the time to mull over plenty of decorations should you decide to hold the tea party at home.

Still, if you want to keep the party more private and DIY, then you can do it at yours or another close friend’s house. Planning and shopping for decorations may be time-consuming, but they’re also so much fun. A backyard garden in full bloom, though, can provide plenty of natural decorations.

Setting the Scene

Because tea parties are an elegant affair, linens should wrap the tables, china or silver should be used, and a tiered snack display should hold the munchies. Don’t forget the tea warmers to keep your tea nicely warm amid long conversations.

If you’re going to hold the party outdoors and in the late afternoon to evening, don’t forget to set up proper dramatic lighting to keep the vibe. Fairy lights hanging on tree branches and portable lamps or votive candles placed on top of the tables would help create a magical atmosphere that’s perfect for great talks.

Decorate the tables with flowers, maybe the bride’s favorite, and prepare a bouquet for the bride herself.

Plan a Tea Party Perfect Menu

Ideal menu inclusions would have bite-size biscuits, for instance, some chocolates and other sweets, and assorted tea sandwiches. Salads would also be a good choice.

You can serve the food buffet-style or have them independently served at each separate table.

Choosing the Right Teas

While any tea will do, not all teas are created equal. We suggest serving a delicious, organic oolong green or black tea that will add to your guests overall health. A tea crafted with good-for-you botanicals such as amla or hibiscus can create a memorable tea drinking experience for your guests. Combine it with lemon, ginger, and honey and you'll get a potent drink that could improve many different facets of your health.

Traditional Amla Green Tea - Perhaps the easiest tea you will make all year is just one scoop of Amla Green added to a tea cup with hot water. Fresh, delicious, and so healthy for you! Adding a touch of lemon to your Almla Green may take your cup of tea to the next level.

Fruity Amla Green Tea - If you want to create something with a fruitier flavor, you can take that pre-made Amla Green Tea and add in cut strawberries or blueberries and then let it sit overnight as the fruit flavors infuse the tea.

Amla Green Hibiscus Tea - Another delicious herbal alternative, and one which many of your guests may have never tried before, is the Amla Green Hibiscus Tea.

Hibiscus Tea Latte

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1 scoop Amla Green Hibiscus
• 1/2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions:

1. Make the tea using 1 scoop Amla Green Hibiscus and 1/2 cup water.
2. Add the milk and maple syrup to a small saucepan.
3. Heat the milk to 150°F (measure using a thermometer): this is hot with some small bubbles forming around the outside, but not simmering. The exact temperature is helpful for getting the perfect foam (if you don’t have a thermometer you can approximate).
4. Use a hand frother, whisk, or French press to foam the milk into small, even bubbles. (Pour the tea into a cup. Gently pour the milk and foam into the center of the tea.)

Summer Time Tea Mocktail

Ingredients:

• 14 cups water, divided
• 6 scoops Amla Green
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3/4 cup thawed orange juice concentrate
• 3/4 cup thawed lemonade concentrate
• 1 cup tequila, optional
• Optional: Fresh mint leaves and lemon or lime slices

Yields 18 servings

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Remove from the heat; add tea. Cover and steep for 3-5 minutes.
2. Stir in the sugar, concentrates, and remaining water. Add tequila if desired. Refrigerate until chilled. Garnish with mint and lemon or lime if desired.

Have fun with your tea party and offer your guests a wide variety of tasty treats and sweets. Here are some recipes to help you get started with your planning.

Mixed Fruit Tartlets with Raw Date and Nut Crust

Recipe adapted from Forks Over Knives

*Note: This recipe includes a lot of nuts, so they should be eaten in moderation due to the amount of fat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/3 cup walnuts
• 1/3 cup raw cashews
• 1/3 cup raw almonds
• 1/2 cup date paste
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• 1 1/3 cups fresh raspberries
• 2 bananas, thinly sliced
• 2 oranges, peeled and sectioned

Instructions:

1. Line eight 3-inch tart pans or ramekins with round pieces of parchment paper. In a food processor or high-power blender combine oats, walnuts, cashews, and almonds. Process until mixture reaches a coarse texture.
2. Transfer to a bowl. Add date paste and vanilla; stir until well combined. Place 3 tbsp of the crust mixture in each tart pan; press mixture evenly in bottoms and up sides of pans.
3. Chill the crusts for at least 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in a clean food processor or high-power blender, pulse strawberries until consistency resembles chunky salsa. Transfer to a bowl; fold in raspberries.
5. Remove crusts from pans. Line the bottoms of crusts with banana slices. Top with berry mixture and orange sections.

Mint Chocolate Chip “Nice” Ice Cream

Recipe from Mastering Diabetes

Ingredients:

• 6 ripe, spotted bananas
• 1 tsp spirulina powder
• 1 - 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves (or 1 drop peppermint extract)
• 2 tbsp raw cacao nibs
• 1 scoop Amla Green

Instructions:

1. Peel the bananas and slice into a few chunks. Freeze on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper overnight (if doing this step ahead of time, once frozen, transfer to a Tupperware® container for long-term storage).
2. Place the frozen bananas in food processor or high speed blender. *Important: Allow to thaw for a few minutes before blending so that the appliance will not overheat or blades become dull.
3. Add a scoop of Amla Green powder.
4. Once blended smooth, add in spirulina powder until desired hue of green is achieved.
5. Add in mint leaves or peppermint extract to taste.
6. Transfer your serving to a bowl, top with cacao nibs, and enjoy!