A Vintage Bridal Tea

I flew all the way home from LA for three nights to make this one happen!  We were hosting the Bridal Shower for Lauren, my cousin and the bride-to-be, at our Charlotte home.  Lauren's December wedding is taking place in a breathtaking white barn fit for events surrounding by gorgeous country side and horse pastures!  Her usual elegant, classy taste will have a rustic flair with vintage accents for both her ceremony and reception soooo... I wanted to create a theme that still retained the feel of the wedding, but was a little more feminine and fun for the all-female guest list.

The result was a Vintage Bridal Tea theme that would include everything from a hot and cold tea bar complete with all the fixins to tea cakes and pearly lace white chocolate strawberries.  I created oversized teabag cutouts, each with a unique vintage inspired design or special photo, and used them to decorate not only the mantle, but all four table displays that I was working with.  I also borrowed very special chinaware, tea sets, lace hankies, vintage pearls, and artistic tea pots from Lauren's Nana (My Nana too!), Lauren's mother-in-law to be, and a few other good friends.  I used all of these items in the centerpiece decorations which added personal and sentimental value to the decor.  With a trip to the fabric store, the flower store, and Hobby Lobby, a hot glue gun, and a whole lot of mason jars I was able to transform our house into a tea party wonderland.  Enjoy!

We served.... 

Peach Bellini Cocktails

Fresh Peach and Strawberry infused Peach Iced Tea sweetened with Agave

Minted Arnold Palmer with fresh lemon slices sweetened with Stevia

Iced Vanilla Almond Tea sweetened with Stevia

Hot British Breakfast Tea

Hot Mint Tea

The Tea Bar Fixins included...

Lemon Slices

Lime Slices

Honeycomb

Cinnamon Sticks 

Sugar Cubes

Fresh Mint

Catered Aperitif Finger Food Buffet included...

Vegetable Sushi bites

Various tea cake inspired bite-sized sandwiches  

 Stuffed Mushrooms

Hummus and Veggie Dip

Shrimp Cocktail

Petits Fours 

Various amazing bite sized desserts

Nana's homemade lemon squares

Pearl (sprinkles) and Lace (fresh coconut flakes) White Chocolate Covered Strawberries (made by me)

Jennasis Decor and Special Touches... 

Oversized tea bag cutouts

Mason Jar Rose Arrangements

High Cocktail Table Lace, Ribbon, and Fabric Coverings

Centerpiece Table displays comprised of vintage tea sets, pearls, candles, and anything else I could find.

Teacup favors (painted by Allison Chambers) 

"Recipes and Love for the Bride" Guest Scrapbook

Welcome sign with oversized photo of baby princess Lauren

"The Lauren or Adam Game" halfway through present time

Papa playing upbeat love songs on the piano

Pearls and Lace White Chocolate Strawberries

The Beautiful Bride

Tea Bar

Blush Rose Bouquet

Fresh Peach Bellini Cocktail

Vintage Teacups and Pearls

Mantle of Tea Bags and Memories

Tea Bar Fixins

Most Loving Hands in the World

Personal Touches (keepsake for the Bride after)

Favors

Only man in attendance with his Chucks on : )

The Lauren or Adam Game