Garden Tea Party – Styled by Whimsy Petite Styling
Spring is in the air, and now is the perfect time to get to planning for a sweet garden tea party {of course any time of year is a wonderful time for a tea party don’t you think?}.
I know a lot of you loved the Tea Party Theme post we shared recently and now I am excited to share with you exclusive images and details of a sweet Springtime Tea party styled by Whimsy Petite Styling, Brisbane. Don’t miss also a special offer for our Life’s Little Celebrations readers at the end of this post! =)
For Tash, stylist at Whimsy Petite Styling, Spring evokes images of blue skies & green grass, pretty spring blooms & summer dresses, sophisticated garden soirees and afternoons filled with casual delight!
These images were her inspiration behind this gorgeous 4th birthday party.
As Tash explains “This was to be a sophisticated tea party for little ladies, not sparing any of the trims. From beautiful handmade linens, to antique fine china, luscious floral arrangements and a homemade menu to delight the tastebuds. The little guests were to enjoy an afternoon of good old fashioned high society living”.
Guests arrived in pretty dresses with beautiful spring inspired accessories – instantly setting the tone for a delightful afternoon soiree.
Despite the best laid plans the day of the party did not in fact bring blue skies for the most part – thankfully a well sized deck was at hand to allow the soiree to go ahead.
I love the look of this table dressed with linen tablecloths and pretty pastel colour tableware! Oh and how lovely are those pretty personalised party hats which doubled as place settings?
Antique tea cups were the perfect vessel for jelly cups. Topped with a dollop of cream and raspberry, the little guests felt quite grown up using their “grown up” tea cups which is a great way of using pretty teaware for the little one’s!
The menu consisted of old fashioned homemade treats: Fruit Kebabs {with dipping marshmallow}, chocolate brownies, lemon tarts, finger sandwiches, jelly cups, and individual serves in Robert Gordon cups of old fashioned sweets and caramel popcorn.
Adults also enjoyed a selection of cheese and fruit platters at their table.
Despite the disappointment of not having the table set up under the shade of the trees on the beautiful green lawn as planned, the weather did manage to hold out long enough for guests to enjoy old fashioned lawn games of egg and spoon races,a three legged race, an egg hunt and relays. A bunting created start and finish lines which added sweet character to the lovely back yard – what a great idea!
4 year olds love getting crafty don’t they! Whimsy Petite Styling came up with a quaint idea of each of the girls decorating their own flower pot which would be their take home gift. Each guest received their own apron, brushes and ready to paint pot. Seedling trays were used as paint pallets and painted old tins for the water to wash the brushes off in. You can just imagine the wonderful time they would have had creating bright pots which dried while they enjoyed other party activities. The girls then took these home with a packet of spring flower seeds to plant and enjoy in the coming weeks. What a unique party favour!
For those of you planning a tea party theme here are Whimsy Petites top tips for a great tea party:
• It doesn’t have to cost you the earth! You’d be surprised what you probably already have around the house to use as tableware, props etc. And if you don’t have any…it won’t take long to find someone who does!
• The best way to use your fine china….is to actually use it! Dust off Grans old tea set and get some joy out of it! Not using your old china makes it brittle – then no one will get to enjoy it {I always say there’s no point saving it for the queens visit…I don’t think she will ever come!}
• Consider safety and practicality too….we use melamine plates at children’s place setting to reduce likely hood of breakage { other platters and teacups on the setting in this party are all antique china}
• If you don’t have any old cups and saucers you can find them easily enough at second hand stores. A mismatched setting always adds character and interest to the table so don’t be too worried about finding complete sets.
• Be sure to press your table linen – a crisp clean cloth lays the foundation for a beautiful, sophisticated table setting.
• Coordinate your colour palette and be sure to flow it throughout the event
• Flowers are a must! They are an essential element to creating a beautiful spring atmosphere to a tea party, and there are so many beautiful blooms to choose from! Place a number of arrangements around the party to create atmosphere and bring the delight of a spring garden to all corners of the party
• Use items like cookie jars, ornate glasses or recycled jars as vessels for pretty spring blooms.
• Keep your menu simple. Bite sized finger foods is ideal for this type of party….and traditional homemade foods are the perfect option for this theme
• Be sure not to forget the adults at the soiree – provide a simple range of refreshments and nibbles for them too
• Keep games simple and fun – they don’t have to be about winning prizes – children love old fashioned games like, relay races, hoola hoops or scavenger hunts..these keep them giggling and occupied for ages
• Hang reusable decorations like pom poms, lanterns or buntings – they all look fabulous rehung in a little ones bedroom or playroom; and are a lasting reminder of the celebration they had
• Keep thank you gifts simple and in keeping with the theme – a garden pot with seeds; a single tea set with cookies; a pretty headband and accessories….something that will last and bring joy to your guests which will generally last longer than the car ride home.
Exclusive LLC reader offer
If you loved the pretty bunting and just gorgeous party hat’s used in this tea party then you are going to love this special offer available to YOU!
Whimsy Petite would like to offer the readers of Life’s Little Celebrations a wonderful Tea Party themed discount to celebrate the coming of spring and the successful launch of their business this year.
Start styling your own spring themed tea party with this wonderful offer of a 3m handmade fabric bunting plus a custom styled party hat in coordinating colours of your choice. Normal price of $55. LLC special only $40. {based on a cardstock hat with fabric trim – reinforced fabric hats also available at an additional cost}
This exclusive special is only valid to Lifes Little Celebration readers and is valid from date of blog post until September 15th 2011. Please allow up to 28 days for production of goods ordered, limited to the first 20 orders received.
Email Tash {whimsypetite@hotmail.com} before September 15th to order your exclusive pack, be sure to quote the special code of LLC TEA PARTY to get your discount.
If you would like inspiration or help in creating a fabulous Tea party or any other soiree of your own, contact Tash to discuss Whimsy Petites event styling services, party packs or inspiration boards.
Thank you Tash for sharing this wonderful party with us and this beautiful bunting & party hat offer !
Hi,
Just wondering do you only do kids parties? Also where are you based?
Thanks
Claire
Hi Claire
This party was styled by Whimsy Petite Styling who is based in Queensland. She does a range of events I believe. If you follow the link at the top of this blog post it will take you to her FB post
I don’t do event styling myself – just the blog and party directory which does focus on children’s events
hope this helps,
thanks
Tanya