Bridal Shower Tea Party Ideas for a Classic Pre-Wedding Celebration (2024)

Tea Assortment

This bridal shower theme wouldn't be complete without actual tea. Think beyond Earl Grey or chamomile and serve interesting varieties that work with the rest of your event's décor. Keeping your decorations pink and feminine? Choose a magenta-hued berry-flavored tea, and serve it in clear pots to really make the most of its color.

Bite-Sized Desserts

When you think about what you'd actually eat at a tea party, what comes to mind? Finger sandwiches, for starters. In that same vein, keep the majority of treats you serve at your shower bite-sized for a thematic touch. This tiny Buttercream Design Co. cake would be the perfect addition to your dessert menu. The rest of this romantic tablescape was created by Magnolia Ranch for an event planned by Hitched JH.

• Discover More of Our Favorite Bridal Shower Desserts

Teacup Escort Cards

Planning a more formal tea party bridal shower with a sit-down meal? You'll likely want to create a seating chart for organization's sake. Use this important detail as a way to reference your celebration's theme by copying Amorology and hanging vintage teacups—tagged with each guest's name and table assignment—from golden hooks.

Tea Party Motifs

There is so much inspiration to glean from this Lia Griffith tabletop: Note the subtly-preppy striped bow (and coordinating placemats!), the floral dishware, and tiny bites, arranged on a three-tier silver platter. All elements would look right at home at your own shower.

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Whiskey in a Teacup

Who says you have to fill your teacups with actual tea? Your shower, your rules. Want to serve your favorite spirit instead? Make like the bride at this Event Prep party and send your best friends home with their own cups, filled with whiskey and tea.

Floral Straws

Tea party showers often mix well with garden motifs—both styles are distinctly feminine, so feel free to marry the two. Work in some flower-forward details in unexpected ways; bloom-covered paper straws, like these by Dearest Jane, are a fun way to do so.

• Discover More of Our Favorite Garden Bridal Shower Ideas

Butterflies

Use your tea serveware as a chance to fill your event with color and personality. We loved this butterfly-covered teapot, which stood out on a romantic tabletop.

Tea Party Cake

Tea doesn't pair well with super-rich, decadent desserts, so keep your offerings as light as possible. A petite naked cake, decorated with all kinds of bite-sized goodies (this one was baked by Swank Desserts), is a smart choice—and one that won't conflict with your signature drinks' flavors, thanks to its minimal icing.

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Pretty Donuts

Here's more proof that blending tea and garden party themes harmoniously is absolutely possible. How sweet are these sugar-flower-topped donuts and their rose gold counterparts by Sweet Lee Made? They'd look so pretty next to a porcelain white teapot.

Macarons

Believe us, your bridal shower tea party wouldn't be complete without an array of colorful macarons, like these from Ladurée. Get creative and serve them tower-style, à la a mini croquembouche.

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Mixed Themes

Throwing your tea party shower outside? Draw inspiration from the critters of the great outdoors (and this Big Day Celebration tabletop, featuring flowers by In Bloom Florist) and work a few bug motifs onto your tabletop. Note the honeycomb-shaped centerpiece in the middle of this setup; beetle-patterned teacups helped reinforce the unique detail.

Parisian

Another style that melds well with tea party decorations? Parisian-inspired motifs. This dessert table by The Planning Co., filled with towers of macarons, eclairs, and other French pastries from Nadia & Co. and Juicy Desserts, made guests felt like they were at a bakery in Paris.

• How to Plan the Perfect French-Themed Bridal Shower

Cohesive

Look closely at this bridal shower tabletop by Rebecca Chan Weddings and you'll notice that every detail, from the floral centerpieces and delicate china to the teacups and paper menus, feature the same flower: roses. Recreate this method (with the bloom of your choosing!) when creating your own cohesive tablescapes.

Blue and White

Don't let Pinterest fool you—your tea party bridal shower can involve just about any color palette you'd like (your party doesn't have to be an explosion of pink details!). If you prefer blue to blush, bookmark this pretty (and easy to recreate!) centerpiece, composed of traditional Dutch delft and Chinoiserie vases.

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Family Treasures

Does your mom have a beloved teapot that she's used and kept safe all of these years? Ask her if you can borrow her piece of porcelain for your shower—actually use it to serve tea or place it near your own setting as a sweet, on-theme reminder of your lineage.

Mini Menu

Small tea party desserts, like French pastries, call for an equally tiny menu. This illustrated sign was created by Lauryn Prattes Styling & Events and Laura Hooper Calligraphy.

Tiered Dessert Display

The best way to splay your broad array of tiny bridal shower desserts? On plenty of tiered platters (which commonly display finger sandwiches!) and assorted vintage cake stands.

Honey Favors

Consider tea-time staples—like honey!—when brainstorming your bridal shower favors. We love how this bride sent her best friends home with tiny jars of the sweet stuff, complete with wooden dippers.

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