17 Charming and Elegant Tea Party Decoration Ideas
Whether you’re hosting a special birthday party, bridal shower, baby shower, or other celebration, an elegant tea party is always a wonderful choice. With the right tea party decorations, you can transform your space into a sophisticated destination fit for royalty.
Discover some of our favorite tea party decorations and get inspiration for how to work them into your planned get-together. We’ll share ideas on table decor, lighting, textiles, and more.
Tea Party Decorations: 17 Ideas for a Charming Celebration
While you can’t go wrong with an afternoon tea party, feel free to think outside the box when party planning. For instance, you could host an elegant evening tea time soirée or a “just because” gathering at home for a lovely tea brunch. Whatever you decide, here are some of our all-time favorite tea party ideas for decorating your party space.
1. Handwritten Chalkboard Sign
Add charming ambience while informing guests about the party with a DIY chalkboard sign. These are easy to make, and you can keep and reuse your sign board for future events. Try a fun greeting like “Tea for Two” for a tea party baby shower, “Happy Birthday to the Tea-riffic [Name]” for a tea party birthday, or “Let’s Par-Tea” for any occasion.
2. Personalized Place Cards
Even if you’re hosting a small tea time gathering, adding place cards on the table(s) will add a personal touch and serve as part of your tea party decorations. Plus, place cards are practical and help create a sense of order, which can be especially helpful if you’re having a tea party for kids.
3. Vintage-Style Bunting
Design: Claudia Owen
If you’re hosting a tea party inspired by all things vintage, add themed bunting to your party space. Cut out triangles of fabric and make your own fabric bunting, or buy premade versions that match your party theme and color. Coordinate your vintage-inspired celebration by inviting guests with this Dainty Teapot invitation.
4. Pastel Tablecloth
Sprinkle a touch of sweetness across your tea party with a pastel tablecloth. Keep it classic with one color or opt for an ombré effect for something more contemporary. You can also try a pastel-colored floral design if you want to keep the rest of your table decor simple.
5. Teapot Centerpiece
It wouldn’t be a tea party without teapots, and they make wonderful decor pieces too. Create a teapot centerpiece by filling a large teapot with flowers, or find mini versions and stack them on a cake stand for a quirky twist on this fun centerpiece idea.
6. Balloon Displays
Balloons are a wonderful birthday decoration, but they’re also fabulous for afternoon tea parties. Find a mix of balloons in different sizes and colors to match your party theme, then display them throughout your space. Use a balloon stand to create a table display, make a balloon arch, or suspend them from the ceiling for an impressive over-the-table tea party decoration.
7. Traditional Doilies
Design: Jen Montgomery
If you’re going for a classic look, doilies are a must-have. These traditional afternoon tea party items are not only practical for placing underneath dessert plates or glasses, but they also work well as decor pieces. Display doilies on the wall to create fun art pieces or use an assortment of them to create a table runner. When it’s time to invite your guests, consider this Dainty Doily invitation.
8. Decorated Bird Cages
If you’re looking for an intriguing decor piece that’s ideal for tea parties, consider bird cages. These decorations look wonderful hanging or as part of a table display, whether you keep them empty or fill them with faux greenery, fresh flowers, or tea lights. Before your celebration, you could paint them in rose gold, silver, or yellow gold for a touch of luxury and sophistication.
9. Pillar Candles
Candles aren’t just great for lighting a space, but they’re beautiful decor items too. When you’re shopping for tea party supplies, pick up a selection of pillar candles in a color that matches the rest of your tablescape. Keep them unlit for a daytime event, or light them to provide a glow for an evening tea party celebration. You could also opt for flameless candles for a safe, anytime celebration.
10. Flower-Filled Vases
Fresh flowers make ideal tea party decorations. Gather a collection of vases (which you can find at a local thrift store) and fill them with fresh blooms. Opt for seasonal flowers, wildflowers, or pastel-hued roses. If you have any flowers to spare, prepare mini bouquets for your guests to take home with them.
11. Elegant Placemats
Your elegant menu and array of teas might be the highlight of your tea party, but presentation is key. Let your beautiful tableware and dinner plates shine by adding elegant placemats beneath. Choose a dazzling metallic placemat or use a luxe natural fabric mat like jute or silk to add texture.
12. Vintage Tea Sets
For an elegant tea party, swap your paper plates and paper cups for traditional china. Borrow or buy a vintage china set, and don’t worry if they don’t all match — that only adds to the charm. Dress your table with tea cups and saucers, with plenty of dessert plates on hand for your guests to use when sampling tasty treats.
13. Stylish Table Cover
Don’t leave your tea table naked — dress it up with an eye-catching table cover so all the elements of your tablescape shine. A tablecloth in a pastel hue is always a lovely choice, or you could choose a vintage, floral, or contemporary pattern instead.
14. String Lighting
Like candles, string lighting serves a dual purpose — it helps provide much-needed light and adds a cozy atmosphere to your space. Whether you’re hosting a garden tea party under the trees or want to transform your dinner table into a fairytale paradise, string lighting is a wonderful way to add a touch of whimsy and delight.
15. Floral Napkins
Design: Jessica Williams
Whether you’re hosting a floral tea party or simply want to add a can’t-miss pattern to your sophisticated get-together, floral napkins are a great idea. Choose a design with a similar feel and color palette to the rest of your tea party decorations. Take inspiration from flowers for your invites too, like this charming Blush Azaleas invitation.
16. Elegant Cake Stands
You’ll need somewhere to house your collection of scrumptious cupcakes and mini desserts, and there’s no better solution than elegant cake stands. Ceramic stands, gold-toned stands, and pastel-colored stands are all lovely choices. Fill them with your selection of tea sandwiches and desserts for a display that looks good enough to eat!
17. Stacks of Books
Even if you’re not hosting an Alice in Wonderland or “Mad Hatter” tea party, book stacks make ideal DIY party decorations. Pile stacks of books on your tables and encourage guests to browse them. They also make a fun tea party favor for adults and kids parties alike.
Transform Your Space with These Tea Party Decoration Ideas
Tea parties are a versatile and wonder-filled playground for virtually any celebration. Whether you’re planning a baby shower, milestone birthday, or even a housewarming party, use this list of tea party decorations to finalize your party decor and create an atmosphere you and your guests will love.
When it’s time to invite your guests, our tea party invitations will get things started in style. Browse our collection of designs, find your favorite, and customize every element to create an invite that’s as unique as your tea party.
