Thursday, March 31, 2011

Planning a secret garden tea party…


I will never forget my friend (and tennis partner) Erin's bridal shower. It was the most luxurious and exquisite party I had been to that wasn't a wedding. The location was something out of the secret garden, and it was decorated like a fairy tale. Everything was done to the nines. Looking back on the photos today, I am inspired to plan my own "Secret Garden Tea." Here's a look at the inspiration.

Here's just a small peak – there were actually 7 tables in the backyard of a gorgeous home in Sea Pines Plantation on Hilton Head Island.



Here's a shot of the incredible table top. The fine china, silver, linens, & hydrangeas all made for a classy and stunning table top, an image straight from Southern Living. Check out the enormous cheese platter. That was just a snack for us when we sat down. The 40 plus guests were treated to a 4-course meal by local cater & owner of Mainly Sandstone.



All 40+ guests received this as a party favor: our own personal bouquet of flowers! (We also received a bar of soap that I still have packaged perfectly. It's too pretty to use.)



I am going to start planning my upscale tea and take advantage of all the fine china, crystal and silver I received for my wedding. I am going to make my own invitations and favors, and I'd like for it to be all "secret garden" like this one. Revisiting this wonderful event for my friend has truly got me planning!

Anthonette Chavez created a tea party invitation, which has inspired and reminded me to forgo my usual favorite sites like Fine Stationery, Wedding Paper Divas & Tiny Prints, and create my own handmade invitation.



What should I do for favors or food? Any ideas for this – please share them with me!

4 comments:

  1. Oh wow, those photos are gorgeous! What a fabulous idea, a secret garden party. Not sure about food, but I definitely think it's a great idea to use your china, silver, and crystal. So many of us never take it out, it is meant to be used, enjoy it! I have even had tea parties with just my daughter and we used my china, she felt so special, and I wasn't too worried about a chip ;)

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  2. What a beautiful secret garden bridal shower your friend had! How lucky for you to experience it! Depending on how many guests you are having at your secret garden tea party, I suggest you make each guest a handmade favor, of course. A set of handstamped monogrammed magnets packaged in cello with a handstamped topper would be perfect! I am happy to volunteer to fly down to your warm weather and help you prepare--Spring is having a hard time making it's debut around here--it snowed yesterday! So ready for winter to be over around here... Seriously, let me know if you want me to send a photo of ones I made as teacher gifts recently!

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  3. What a beautiful shower! It is a wonderful idea to have a tea like that.
    I had a tea party for my daughter when she was younger and everyone had to wear a fancy hat. For favors I bought antique hankies and I wraped them up in a box with beautiful paper. They loved it!

    Susan

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  4. OK I did all You wanted!!! for the givaway!!!

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