Tea for TWO!

I am so thrilled to share this sweet occasion with you all. I had the pleasure of planning, and hosting a tea party for a beautiful two-year-old, named Brielle. Her mama asked for something intimate and uncomplicated. My husband actually took for me “high tea” when we were visiting London, and I’m still completely enamored by it. A tea is so quintessential #girlmom, and I felt totally in my element putting it together.

I wanted this tea party to feel both regal and playful. I wanted these eight sweet girls to really feel like they could be having tea with the queen. I also knew that realistically, toddlers weren’t going for curried egg, cucumber sandwiches, or smoked salmon. It had to be simple and darling.

First thing was to make sure the birthday girl had a spectacular dress for her high tea. I sent her mother some suggestions, and she ended up choosing a perfectly whimsical Trish Scully dress. It featured a floral print and twirl-ready hi-low hemline. The dainty lace detail complimented that million dollar smile.

Upon arrival, each guest received a special package. Each one contained a string of pearls that the girls were to take with them, as a party favor. This was adorable to watch. They’re little faces totally lit up. I’ve been told that, since the tea, a few of the girls still haven’t wanted to take them off.

When my girls and I play tea party, we always have all of their dolls, and stuffed animals involved. I lined my buffet with a few of their favorites, and Raegan decided these guests needed tea cups too. An hour, or so, beforehand, she came downstairs with her Beauty and the Beast tea set, and I couldn’t refuse. I love seeing her use her imagination. After the tea, the girls played with some of the stuffed animals.

The decor for this tea was very airy and prim. I wanted to incorporate soft pinks, florals, and lace. Brielle’s dress was my inspiration for this. There are also hints of gold and yellow throughout the design. I thought this added a regal touch. I crowned the main table with a tule and lace canopy; the top of which I added in rose garland. I added another string of the same garland to the front of the table.

For the sake of practicality, I purchased faux lace tablecloths from, Hobby Lobby, and placed one over a pink satin tablecloth. These faux lace tablecloths did the perfect job of creating the look I wanted, while also containing the inevitable spills from tiny hands. I highly recommend them for a child’s party–clean up was easy! Each of the head chairs featured a bow tied from glittered tulle.

We, of course, had to have a custom chalkboard for this occasion. The chalkboard design featured stacked teacups and a message welcoming guests to Brielle’s high tea. This chalkboard doubled as a photo prop for Brielle’s birthday portraits.

I can’t say enough how in love with the paper tableware I was. The girls’ moms were convinced they were real china at first glance. I ordered these from a fantastic company called Talking Tables. The plates and tiered stand are from their Chintz collection. The paper tea cups were from their Scrumptious collection. The floral china tea pot, and tea stand, are Grace’s Teaware. 

You can’t have a tea without DOILIES. Each place setting was marked with a doily, as well as each item on the menu. I got a variety pack of these paper doilies from good ole’ Dollar Tree!

For this occasions, I put together three simple floral arrangements that consisted of fresh pink tea roses and baby’s breath. Notice the same florals in the pattern of the paper china. The smaller arrangement stayed on the girls’ table in a crystal orb vase.

The tea treats were so much fun. Again, I wanted to make sure the menu reflected our audience. Seems to me that tea parties are perfect for toddlers, since they eat a lot with their fingers anyway. Brielle’s mother told me that Brielle is a strawberry fanatic. It was important to me to incorporate her favorite flavor.

The menu included Ghirardelli white chocolate dipped strawberries and vanilla wafers. The pink goldfish were my toddler version of the traditional Jordan almonds. I also prepared mini berry yogurt parfaits, and sweetHEART strawberry jelly sandwiches. There were Virginia ham roll ups; a familiar savory option for our tea guests.

The breathtaking custom French macarons were created by Nabubu Macs. The owner added delicate lace and pearl detailing to her delicious lemon and strawberry macarons. These macarons melt in your mouth, and Brielle went back for thirds!

Our menu also featured mini black and white cookies, and an assortment of the famous Superior Bakery fried croissants. This bakery has been around for more than five decades, and with one bite of these croissants, you’ll see exactly why. In addition to freshly brewed Luzianne tea, the girls had berry infused water to drink.

“One lump of sugar, or two?” I kept saying to the girls. “Milk? Of course, my darling.” These little princesses knew how to tea. As a matter of fact, Raegan asked for 4 cups of tea after everyone had already left.

After their sips and sweets, it was time for birthday cake! I decided to go a bit of a different route with this, and baked strawberry cupcakes inside tea cups! I found the perfect silicone teacup cupcake molds on Amazon. I uped the strawberry ante by also using strawberry icing. They were each topped with a paper pink tea rose.

It made my heart so full to see the look of delight on Brielle’s face when we sang her happy birthday. I could tell she felt truly special. I felt so honored in that moment to have helped make this memory of her. What a beautiful place in time to be.

After having their fill of sweets, the girls got tea party coloring sheets. The supplies, of course, were on doilies, and served on a tea cart.

This occasion was absolutely one of my favorites. I believe that every soul in the room enjoyed it. I am grateful to have witnesses Brielle loving her first day of being two (get it? Tea for TWO?). She is the sweetest, and I can’t wait to see what this next year brings her. Hopefully lots of strawberries!

XOXO,
Shakira

Photography: Lola Vargas Photography