A guide to planning the most fashionable Hi-Tea in town

Planning a tea party is a serious affair, one that people tend to pour in  considerable amount of energy and time into. Now we are all aware of the prying eyes of our fashion-savvy friends, which will be judging the décor and the menu, so naturally everything needs to be absolutely perfect, and the entire event has to be a success!

From the right menu to how you look, everything takes careful planning and thought. Well, let us tell you a secret, planning the perfect Hi-Tea is no hassle if you know how to execute it perfectly:

Here are some of our top picks for food, dining accessories and your attire that can make you a style icon when it comes to hosting the best tea party:

The Menu

The most important part of the event, without a doubt, is the food.  You need to show your guests that you’re the most fashionable chefling in town, and you can lay that claim with the perfect menu. Of course, no one does tea parties better than the English – after all they invented the concept. So here’s a tea party menu inspired by the English; not only do these items look good at the table, but taste divine as well.

•  Arrival drinks
• Assorted sandwiches
• Chicken drumettes
• Cornish pasties
• Scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream
• Biscuits
• Strawberry shortcake
• Variety of teas

For more details, check out the menu here

Serve in style 

One of the most exciting parts of planning a trendy tea party is picking out the right crockery. From trays to tea cups and platters, everything needs to complement your menu and of course, your personal style.

Tea parties can be a crowded affair, so we suggest you go with crockery that may look intricate and feels delicate, but is sturdy enough to not break at the slightest fall.

The crockery by Clayworks fits that profile perfectly. We personally love the variety of designs they offer, which is far better than the usual run-of-the-mill designs available in the market. They have something for everyone; from truck-art-themed tea sets to simpler and more traditional platters. If you are planning on throwing a themed tea party, then Clayworks should be your first choice.

The best part about the beautiful range of their products is that you will find yourself spending less time on the presentation of the food, since these pieces just have a way of enhancing the way your food will look.

Dress up that table 

The serving table is your platform. You know how designers always say that a perfectly designed ramp is the backbone of a fashion show? Well, that holds true for your table if you want the tea party to look magnificent.

It’s always best to serve the food buffet style at a tea party, where  guests are comfortable enough to grab their food in that gorgeous crockery we mentioned earlier. Now coming back to the table, we suggest you choose a nice looking table runner that compliments your dining area or the garden (if you are planning something outdoors).

The table runner can be as simple as something with geometrical shapes or panels, to more detailed designs like sequin work or embroidery.

We believe that you can get the most versatile variety of table runners to match your needs at Khaadi.

The table runner may be the main star of the show at your table, but little things like tea coasters and table mats can add a fresh detail to the entire décor. You can get these from the Khaadi Home collection as well, where we’re sure you’ll  find something to compliment the entire look of your serving area.

The star of the show – your look

All the preparation mentioned above will go to waste entirely if the hostess doesn’t look absolutely magnifique. We know how prepping the food and making sure the décor looks great can have you working till the door bell rings, and you realize you have no time left to do your hair and get dressed. Well, there is only one solution to this: designer aprons! Yup, you got that right. 9 Lines Clothing has taken the lead in making kitchen apparel the most stylish thing you can wear.

The best part about these aprons is that you just need to spend a little time on your look.

Grab a pair of jeans and a T- shirt or simple shalwar kameez, and put on one of these designed aprons and voila! Your look is done, you’re officially the most fashionable chefling in town. You can easily roam around the party, enjoy your food and run to the kitchen for refills comfortably. We are in love with these designs, they range from cute cupcakes to simpler ones with color panels. This is your easiest and the most fashionable fix when it comes to choosing the attire for a Hi-Tea, plus they have the added bonus of setting you apart as the chef ala carte among your guests!