Usually when women dream of their wedding day, they always dreamed that they would wear romantic wedding dresses. The wedding was very romantic and the bride would want something romantic to wear.

Romantic wedding dresses are always a favorite design for the upper body piece tight to make the body appear more slender with a big skirt. Even the teens also like this dress for their prom event. This design is very good for anyone who would wear and very feminine when worn.

Romantic wedding dresses always seem to look like a fairy tale wedding dress because the swelling of a floor-length skirt. There are even some styles will have the arm mounted on the elbow and arm. There are many designs to choose from with a romantic wedding dress.

Some designs will choose a plain top with a very fancy dress, while some will have a weight or accent beads for a plain skirt. You may be more familiar with this view by looking through books and romantic times you will see how flattering and feminine designs. With the added effect of the cap will bring this dress is more dramatic because many accents and accessories to clothing.

Sometimes it can be seen from above because the rich accent but really, it was incredible. It will also look better if you wear helmets, such as foaming long trailing veil or tiara or veil will be great. Choosing a helmet will really depend on you. A helmet made of flowers will also add romantic style to your overall look.

Romantic wedding dresses can be made from various fabrics such as satin, lace, chiffon, silk, organza and velvet. You can ask the opinion of several experts on the type of fabric designers you can mix and match along with accents such as flowers, beads, embroidery, buttons, ribbons and crystals.

You can add anything you like on your wedding dress to look more special. You can become complicated as possible. To add some romance in your wedding, you can arrange your wedding look like a romantic era. Your guests will definitely enjoy this.

Jewel is what is depicted wearing a bride’s wedding dress in romantic wedding. Romantic wedding dresses suitable for all settings and themes of marriage, but also make the bride look so slim like a princess. Your wedding day will be remembered by both you and your guests.

Each of us is dreaming for an ideal wedding, but since there is no such thing as 100% perfect, we usually make the project as careful and special as it will be able to get. A wedding ceremony won’t be a wedding ceremony if there are no gifts. Gifts symbolize lots of things. There are a few wedding gifts that symbolize passion and romance, while others symbolizes loyalty and authenticity. Gift-giving is one means of sharing a thing that can help commemorate the one-of-a-kind occasion.

If you’re invited to a family group member’s or friend’s wedding any time soon and you are thinking what wedding favor gift wedding day favor would be nice to offer, take into consideration that a wedding ceremony may come once in a lifetime only so putting extra thought and effort on the gifts will really make a common sense. With that in mind, you may search for exceptional wedding gifts. The tricky part, still, is that exceptional gifts are quite challenging to find. Luckily, virtually everyone of us has Access to the internet in your home or work, which we can use when looking for the things we need for a number of occasions.

For getting some best exceptional wedding gifts, you can readily find what your are searching for by only surfing the world wide web. There are numerous sites these days that provide a broad assortment of wedding gifts to pick out from.

Apart from exceptional ideas, you can likewise purchase inexpensive wedding gifts on the Internet as there are several online dealers and distributors that provide various quality wedding gifts at reasonable prices. Still before placing your order, you need to be mindful on the overall security of shopping on the web. Put aside time to compare product and prices, and be aware of the trustworthiness of the e- shop or on the net trader you are purchasing the gifts from. Read feedbacks or suggestions from their clients on their web sites. The good suggestions they have, the more reliable they’re. Or you can merely ask for suggestions from friends and family, as they might have seen buying wedding gifts on some trusted web stores.

If you’re searching for some most exceptional options of wedding gifts to pick out from, consider photo quilts and pillows, or something that has a picture of the happy couple. These are one of the most popular exceptional wedding gifts nowadays and can readily be purchased in a few internet stores. By and large, customizing makes any item exceptional. From the most inexpensive item to the most expensive ones, if you will look at personalizing them, remain confident they become exceptional wedding gifts.

Lastly, when are making a good decision on exceptional wedding gifts, make certain that they are associated to the happy couple. Create a thought on your gift that presents you with really considered them. Personalized your wedding day favor gift as far as possible. Personalized wedding supplies and gifts that include the names or initials, and wedding date of the happy couple can do wonders in the whole celebration. These personalized items, including other wedding accessories and bridal supplies are available on many web-based stores at different prices.

We asked Elizabeth for the story behind the creation of this couture masterpiece. With a smile that never left her face, the bride told us how her uncle had asked her to produce a scrapbook with all her ideas and inspirations behind her dream wedding. “The Book” contained magazine cut outs, photos of people, flamenco dancers and sketches. Using the scrapbook as his guide, Galliano designed 2 dresses for her to choose from, and the first design captured everything she had hoped for. A sweetheart neckline with a hand embroidered bodice, sparkling crystals all over the dress. The skirt was a glorious tribute to the flamenco dress, with its many layers and a cascading trail. The veil – in itself a work of art – was a 5 metre long full cathedral veil, delicately hand embroidered. A priceless creation inspired by the love of an uncle for his niece. He created every aspect of the final “Look”, including the choice of accessories. Elizabeth flew to Paris for three fittings, and eventually the dress was sent to Gibraltar in two giant wardrobe sizes boxes complete with its own mannequin! 

Not forgetting the mother of the bride, Galliano also produced a beautiful creation for his sister Rosemarie. The deep red knee length dress with a hand embroidered rose detail was also created in the designer’s Paris atelier and delivered to Dior’s flagship store in Sloane Street, in London where the mother of the bride was invited to choose the handbag and shoes of her desire, courtesy of her little brother John!

The relationship with the designer and his family is clearly a deeply respectful and loving one. “He is always generous to his family”, says his goddaughter. And they are in contact with each other as much as possible, given how busy he is. This is not the first dress Galliano has made for her; in fact her First Communion dress was also created for her by her uncle – and, in the past, that dress has been loaned to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London as part of an exhibition.  

The guest list at the wedding included fellow doctors and army officers from all over the world who flew over especially for the wedding. The wedding ceremony, which was presided over by Monsignor Paul Bear, was followed by a solo rendition of William Gomez’s “Ave Maria”, sung by Gibraltarian singer Andrea Martin. A Guard of Honour awaited them at the doors of the Cathedral – comprised of Officers of the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery. The Royal Gibraltar Regiment had generously loaned the swords for the Guard of Honour which ended the wedding service in such style.

The reception, which took place in Spain, was flameno inspired too.The wedding dress has certainly played a bigger role than normal in this wedding! Held in a Cortijo, a rustic yet beautiful venue with plenty of character, as the guests enjoyed their Sherry from Jerez, and nibbled on the best jamon serrano in the region, they were entertained with music from a spanish guitarist, flamenco dancers from Andalucia, and dancing horses from the region.

The wedding has been over a year in the making, with the assistance of Gibraltar wedding and event planners – Hour Weddings.  With over three years’ experience helping couples get married in Gibraltar and Spain, Hour Weddings’ owner, Monica Coumbe has served as the main contact point for the UK based couple, ensuring that all the elements of this wedding were in place. Working with her team of professionals including local florist Gibralflora, who produced a wedding bouquet that complemented the dress perfectly, make-up artist Sheetal and hair by “The Look” in Gibraltar, the bride looked beautiful in her John Galliano wedding dress. The groom Oliver was equally resplendent in full ceremonial military attire – a navy blue uniform, white gloves, red sash and sword.  Thrilled with their decision to hold their wedding in a place that meant so much to her family and which has such a great military history, the couple said of Gibraltar “It ticked all the boxes for us!” They are now honeymooning in Morocco. And the dress? Well, that will be packed away in its box for now, and one day you may see it at an exhibition somewhere in the world! A gift from a loving uncle and a world renowned designer.

As a bride, you will most likely be on your feet from sun up to sun down. The exercise starts with a walk down the aisle and moves on to the dance floor. You’ll work the room, walking to greet your guests, cutting the cake and posing for photographs – all while on your feet. The shoes you wear on your wedding day must be comfortable – but they must also complement your gown. Luckily there are enough shoe styles to ensure your selection does both.

Styles of bridal shoes vary almost as much as wedding gowns. The first thing to consider is the style of dress shoe you normally wear. If you are accustomed to stilettos, then you can consider a pair. But if you’re a sensible-heel kind of woman, then do not try something too far out of your comfort range. And definitely purchase your shoes far enough in advance that you can gently break them in by walking around on your carpeted floors.

Once you know what style you want, think about the type of material used. You can select from fabric, leather and manmade materials. The material you choose should depend partly on the wedding site and the time of year. If you are saying your vows on the beach, fabric shoes may seem a little over the top. If it is winter wedding, a strappy sandal may be chilly in some climates. But most importantly, consider the style of wedding dress you will be wearing. If your wedding dress is extremely simple, a rhinestone embellished sandal might be the right choice. But if your dress is already elaborate, tone down the shoes and let the dress carry the day.

Brides who are close in height to their groom should not wear shoes that will have you towering over him. Think about how the height disparity will show up in the wedding pictures and then look for a pair of flats or an elegant ballet slipper. You have the rest of your life to sport your heels, but this is not the day for them.

With these suggestions in mind, the following are six bridal shoes that will work with a formal wedding gown:

Closed Toes

There is nothing more elegant than a pair of white satin pumps. If you prefer something a little less conservative, consider a pair of peep-hole pumps, where the sides of the shoe are cut away, revealing the shapely arch of your foot. A simple pleat in the fabric and rhinestone trim finishes the look. A reasonable 3-inch or 3½-inch heel will be enough to lift your gown.

Sandals

If your dress is a simple straight skirt – a sheath style, for example – your shoes will definitely be visible when you walk down the aisle or dance at your reception. In this case, you might want a pair of eye-catching sandals. Among the hottest high-heeled sandals are satin t-straps. The rhinestone-encrusted t-strap runs from the toe to the ankle strap, creating a long, lean look.

Slippers

Even if your groom towers over you, a ballet slipper is sometimes the right shoe for some dresses. For example, you wouldn’t want anything else if your dress is a Renaissance-inspired gown. Slippers might also prove to be a good second shoe for the day. Late into the reception, it might feel nice to bustle up your dress and slip on a pair of stylish slippers.  

Outdoor Appropriate

Just because your wedding is being held outdoors does not mean you abandon bridal shoes. In this case, however, you might want to sport a pair of Rhinestone-embellished flip flops, available in white and ivory. Think about a beach wedding. Why spoil a pair of fabric shoes when these everyday beach shoes can be glamorized for the event? If yours is not an indoor wedding, you might still want to throw in the flip flops as a second pair of shoes for the reception. It is a bit more dignified than tossing off your shoes and dancing barefoot.

Floral

It will be the rare dress that can handle a pair of floral pumps, but with the right dress these shoes could make the day. Imagine a simple garden wedding and you are wearing a short, full-skirted wedding dress out of a crisp fabric. Floral shoes, with a rosette on the toe, will be the most feminine footwear imaginable.

Dyeable

Shoes that can be died to match even the subtlest of colors are an easy way to complement your wedding gown. In fact, it is so easy, it’s almost cheating. You can find dyeable shoes in closed toe, peep toes, sandals and slippers. They come in flats, towering wedges and all heel heights.

Anniversaries are perfect breakthroughs where a couple can spend their time together, after they have exchanged their wedding vows. Basically, anniversaries calls for parties to be celebrated in the journey of a couple’s lives. Anniversary gifts should be given to serve as remembrance of the said event. As the marriage advances each year, anniversary gifts are evolving as well. Celebrating anniversary each year will probably take on new meanings. Not only the couple themselves are exchanging their gifts, but their children will also give anniversary presents to their parents to show their honest gratitude and love.

Wives usually expect romantic presents from their husband that make them feel special and very loved. Often romantic presents given by husbands to their wife are beautiful flowers like roses. Red roses bouquets are the most popular gifts not only during wedding anniversaries but during other romantic occasions like valentines and mother’s day as well. However, if you want to give your beloved wife a romantic present that could a for years, you could always give special memorabilia such as an jewelry, personalized jewel box, monogrammed handbag and other customized products that will always be welcomed by most women.

You may include in your romantic options scented candles and enchanting music. You can find different variety of scented candles in the markets. Most of them are decorated with beautiful adornments which can really captivate any the women’s eye. Or perhaps, you can burn her favorite songs on CD, then tie a fancy ribbon around the Cd’s case with a printed tag of your special message for her. If you want to rekindle the romance with your wife, you could always send her a romantic gift basket. The basket may include fine chocolates, soft music CD, sparkling champagne, flavorful treats and candy tatoos, you may scatter rose petals for more passionate effect. This romantic idea will sure to touch her heart and can bring a smile to her face.

Another alternative is a spa gift basket, a great memorabilia to commemorate your anniversary. Typically, a spa basket is consist of bath crystals, bath salts, body gels, body lotions, massager, candles, slippers, spa robe, towel and other aromas that will sooth out the stress in her life, and help her to relax and refresh her entire body and soul. For women, they can also make a spa gift basket for their beloved husband. They can use a wood chip caddy as the container, then they can fill it with men’s bath gel, bubble bath, hand soap, soft body scrubber, manicure set and even a grooming kit. Consider this idea to let him know that he deserves to pampered as well.

All the gifts that were mentioned earlier can also be given in different types of occasion also. A spa gift can made a perfect wedding gift for the bride at her wedding day, or perhaps can make one of most thoughtful bridal shower ideas on her shower party. While you can present also this basket, which is in male version, to the groom. For couple’s they could also give spa gift baskets to their attendants to serve as their gifts for bridesmaids and gifts for groomsmen. So, to give a special memorabilia doesn’t call for a specific occasion. Hand a gift that you know your recipient will love and cherish it.

If you or someone close to you suffers from diabetes, you know what a life-altering condition it is. Diabetes-the inability of the metabolism to generate the insulin necessary to properly process blood sugar-affects millions of people in the United States alone. If properly diagnosed, diabetes in and by itself is not a fatal condition. However, keeping it under control is essential and that requires proper treatment and constant monitoring. And the more you know about the disease the better your chances of being able to live a normal life with diabetes.

There are three forms of diabetes, two of them chronic and one temporary. The chronic ones are Type 1 diabetes where the body simply does not produce insulin (a hormone that causes cells to store glucose), and Type 2 where tissues and cells are not responding to insulin. Pregnant women may develop so called gestational diabetes where certain hormones cause insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes usually disappears once a baby is born. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes require treatment.

It all sounds pretty simple, but it’s not. Even after proper diagnosis, diabetes symptoms and diabetes treatment greatly vary from person to person. With Type 1, insulin injections are almost always required, but dosage varies, and diet and lifestyle can make a big difference. Type 2 can often be managed with dietary changes, exercise and supplements but, again, it varies from person to person. The difference between controlling diabetes properly and letting it go unchecked can be the difference between a normal, healthy life and one with serious complications that can result in deteriorating health and life-threatening conditions.   

One thing that can help is being informed. And that doesn’t mean just a half-hour consultation with your doctor although that, of course, is mandatory and the start of all treatment. My physician told me to do my own research and educate myself as much as I could. He said knowing about a disease and its various treatment options would allow me to determine what is right for me. He even gave me links to some information websites.

The problem with gathering diabetes information is not that there isn’t enough, but that there is so much and in so many different places. That’s why it makes sense to seek a website that specializes in diabetes and offers diabetes news, articles, a comprehensive diabetes information directory, and links to important resources. I found one that was easy to navigate and covered all aspects of diabetes, with a directory to over two dozen diabetes-related topics such as exercise, diets, drugs, symptoms, testing, treatments, prevention, blogs, forums and more. The site also contained a large number of original articles by diabetes experts or just people who have learned to live with diabetes and wanted to share their knowledge and experience.

There is a great deal of useful information on diabetes out there, but it doesn’t help much if it is scattered all over the web or written in incomprehensible medical jargon. This is why a site dedicated to diabetes and diabetes resources of all kinds makes sense and should be on top of your browser bookmarks.

There are several reasons why the venue for wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions are embellished with wedding flowers Minneapolis. Apart from the wedding dresses Minneapolis, another factor that would complete a wedding is the flower arrangement. Imagine what a wedding venue would look like without the flowers. Wedding flowers are placed in wedding receptions for certain reasons, and they usually signify love, passion, beauty, and well wishes for the newlyweds.

Flower decorations for weddings are essential in the celebration not just because of the beauty it exudes and the delicate scent it gives off but also because they serve other important purposes. Its fragrance captures the breath of everyone in the room including the bride who’s wearing one of the most beautiful wedding dresses Minneapolis and the groom in a manly tuxedo. Flowers are used to decorate wedding venues to signify love and devotion the couple has for each other and they are also used to make the area look refreshing, elegant, and romantic. Apart from that, having wedding flowers Minneapolis around is a good way to start the couple’s journey through life with beauty and exquisite fragrance.

Wedding flowers Minneapolis has been used since time immemorial due to the invaluable benefits it could give not just to the venue but also to the entire wedding entourage. Flowers are among wedding essentials since they are used by the bride for her wedding bouquet, the groom’s corsage on his tuxedo, the father of the bride’s accessory on the lapel of his tuxedo, as accent to the wedding dresses Minneapolis of the bride’s maid, maid of honor, and of course, by the pretty little flower girls to shower the aisle where the bride would walk on.

The bridal bouquet, which is held by the bride during the entire wedding ceremony, is an important wedding aspect that should be placed some emphasis on because it accentuates the wedding gown and adds beauty and sophistication to the bride’s overall look. Wedding flowers Minneapolis is also important because they are used to welcome wedding guests especially those who come from other regions.  

Flowers are also used to symbolize well wishes and good luck for the newlyweds. The flowers attached to the wedding dresses Minneapolis usually symbolize different things like orange blossoms for fertility, innocence and purity for lilies, blue violets stand for faithfulness and everlasting love while ivy signifies strength and marital endurance.

There are several wedding flowers Minneapolis that you and your partner could choose from. Usually, the flowers used for weddings are white and pink roses, violets, carnations, orchids, sunflowers, and baby’s breath among others. Specially designed flowers are placed on top of reception tables and on stands and columns to give the venue a breath of life and romance. They are also used to adorn the entrance of the wedding reception and the venue of the wedding ceremony. If the wedding is done in an open area, wedding flowers are also placed in the lawn and outside the venue to signify that there is an important occasion happening inside. Wedding flowers are also essential in designing the wedding car in which the newlyweds would be driven toward their honeymoon destination.

Usually a woman’s wedding suit, unlike a man’s, is worn only the once. The most lavish and indulgent purchase for any girl is generally her wedding dress. Dreams from a young age of the fairytale wedding often centre around the perfect dress. The choices in wedding attire today are great and cater for the often vastly different bridal personalities. Many brides, however, choose to revert to the more traditional theme warranting a more traditional gown for the occasion, such as Lady Diana’s silk, taffeta gown created by the Emmanuals.

White wedding dresses have long been accepted in society as a symbol of purity and innocence although today’s brides often opt for a more flattering ivory hue. During the first part of the last century a white wedding dress, because it couldn’t be washed and reused, was a sign of wealth. Coco Chanel reinforced this idea in the late 1920′s with her short white wedding dress with full veil which inspired the acceptance of the white wedding dress worldwide.

The traditional wedding dress is likely to be a jewel encrusted luxury fabric such as duchesse satin, organza and silk. Wedding dress styles vary from the traditional A-line through to vintage lace styles. The traditional A-line style’s popularity is due to its ability to disguise most imperfections in body shape, an essential requirement if the bride is to look her best.

Accessorising to complement your traditional or modern wedding dresses plays a crucial role in bringing the whole look or theme together. Satin pumps, jewel encrusted veils, sparkling tiaras – the range of accessories is vast and includes blue laced garter for the important ‘something blue’.

Eggshell, ecru and ivory are just some of today’s popular choices of ‘white’. Additionally, in keeping with today’s civil wedding ceremonies, most brides will choose an off-white gown of modern style. Fashion trends often dictate the style chosen by the young modern bride wishing to veer away from the traditional style of ceremony. The modern bride is likely to want a dress designed by people like Vera Wang or Maggie Sottero. Hand sewn embellishments and cutting edge design challenge the more traditional wedding gown.

Whatever the design – modern or traditional – the dress must be compatible with the bride’s personality. Vera Wang’s statement about a woman never being sexier than when she’s comfortable in her clothes is so true for the day of your wedding.

Ever been stumped by what shoes to wear to a winter wedding? How about how to find shoes that can handle a slightly muddy spring ceremony in the park? We’ve all been there. Finding the right shoes for the season is hard enough; finding the right bridal shoes for every season can be quite the conundrum. Luckily, with the amount of variety out there, with a little luck (and some style suggestions), you’re sure to find the shoe that is right for your season.

Summer Bridal Shoes

Let’s start with the hottest season of all, summer. Summer weddings often mean heat and humidity, so it’s important to wear shoes that can keep your feet cool come heat or high water. For this reason, peep toe heels are the way to go. They’re just as classy as their closed toed sisters, but they’re also more seasonally appropriate. Plus, peep toe shoes show off your pedicure!

Summer is also a season during which it’s totally acceptable to don sandals – flat or heeled, this form of footwear keeps your feet cool and is still classy enough for a wedding. Note: this includes brides as well, not just bridesmaids! White sandals are great for summer, especially for weddings that take place before Labor Day. You can also flirt with color during the warmer months, as well as try florals! The warm weather offers a sense of being footloose and fancy free; don’t be afraid to let this influence your footwear decisions! Sandals in just about any color of the rainbow are perfect for summer weddings, as are peep toe or open toed shoes.

Beach weddings are also prevalent come summer, and these are the perfect occasion to add some glitz and glam to your wedding ensemble. Try gold shoes instead of the average white – you’ll be surprised at how much they jazz up your outfit.

Fall Bridal Shoes

With the arrival of fall comes the cooler, crisper, air, so it’s best to put away summer’s sandals once the leaves start to turn. Gold shoes can still be worn, as gold is an integral color in the autumn spectrum, but it’s best to put the stark white shoes away. As they say, no white after Labor Day! While it’s tempting to don white shoes to match your white dress, consider burnished bronze options. Even black shoes can work (though black shoes work best in the winter). As with gold, bronze is an important color for fall, and it’s ideal to match the color scheme of your ensemble to the season during which your wedding is taking place.

All metallic shoes work well in fall, but if you’re having trouble choosing, bronze is better than gold, and silver is out. Silver is a wintery color, reminiscent of snow, while bronze evokes the sun-dappled leaves of the autumn season. You can also try more muted colors if you’re looking to inject a bit of spice into your dress routine. Consider a thicker heel and a more significant shoe than the whimsical counterparts of summer shoes.

Winter Bridal Shoes

Winter weddings evoke a serious sense of romance that you can’t find during any other season. The season is guaranteed to make any bride feel like a queen, with the snow-covered hills and sparkly streets. To match this romance, go with silver shoes – strappy, peep toe – anything will do, so long as it’s the color of snow. White can work for winter, but silver is the best way to compliment the colors of the season.

Close toed pumps are recommended simply so that your toes do not freeze; flats can also be sweet, especially for brides who don’t need the extra height or have difficulty walking in heels. More substantial designs, like those mentioned in the fall bridal shoes section above, are encouraged. Instead of going for the strappy sandal-like styles of spring and summer, swing for something with a bit more heft. A peep toe pump with a bow is both seasonally appropriate and perfectly romantic.

Spring Bridal Shoes

Come spring, all the snow and the ice has melted and bridal season is almost in full swing. Brides blessed with a spring wedding date are treated to perfect weather (not too hot, not too cold) and the opportunity to try the daring floral patterns offered by many of today’s top bridal retailers. Spring is also a great time to try dying your favorite shoe to match your dress, whether it be a bright yellow bridesmaid’s frock or a bride’s blush pink gown. The warmer weather of the season means that it’s once again appropriate to don strappy shoes. If the bright colors and florals seem too like too much, consider a champagne colored shoe. Such heels look especially pretty in satin.

You now see that it’s simple to find bridal shoes for any season! When shopping, consider both the appropriate colors and the appropriate styles – before you know it, you’ll be walking down the aisle in the most perfect bridal footwear imaginable.

How To Host A Victorian Tea Party Ideas Recipes Hosting A Victorian Tea Party Planning Ideas Recipes

Tea parties are quite popular now & people always comment on how they like mine so I thought I would share some of my ideas with you. A Victorian Tea Party would be the most elegant of all. Everything in Victorian times was done lavishly. So break out your grandmothers china, silver, crystal & serving pieces. The fancier the better. Of course if you have a truly prized possession that would break your heart if it was damaged, please don’t use for the party. Accidents do happen! Before you get your house ready & prepare your food, you have to send out invitations.

INVITATION IDEAS
 There are so many options here. With today’s computer programs you can make some beautiful ones at home. Tuck an actual tea bagin the invitation. Perhaps make some using paper doilies& scrapbooking supplies.

DECORATING & SERVING

You will want to make the house as pretty as possible.  Fresh flowers are a must, use them everywhere. I had a birthday tea in early June & I put vases of peonies everywhere, they are beautiful. Use traditional vases, or teapots that no longer have lids. Sometimes you can find then for a bargain since they no longer have a lid! Use candles both tapers & scattered votives or tea lights. I use some of those fancy shaped Christmas light that are sold now in all kinds of shapes. I have some pretty heart ones & some flower ones & even some dragonfly lights Play soft music in the background. There are even tea party music  CD’s you can purchase. For tablecloth try lace or damask.  Scatter silk rose petals on your table. Use real linens or fancy paper napkins. I found some monogrammed napkins at an antique store in California last year. They were inexpensive I guess because not too many people have an “O” monogram. Here is a picture of one with our heirloom “O” ware from my husbands Grandma.

For Serving Pieces You Will Need At Least Some of the Following

      Teapot Silver Or China 
      Sugar & Creamer
      Salt & Pepper Shakers

      Water Pitcher
      Various Serving Trays
      Tole Tray
      China Serving Platters
      Silver Serving Pieces
      Crystal Serving Pieces
      Crystal Plates
      Crystal Bowls
      Silverware
      Pedestal Cake Plates
      Porcelain or China Teacups
      Pretty Plates(mix & match is OK)
      Jam or Jelly Serving Jar
      Denitasse or Fancy Spoons

You don’t need to spend a lot of money. You can find some great bargains at your local thrift stores, flea markets & antique malls. Here is some of what I use.

Mix & Match is Definitely OK for teacups & saucers. Even mismatched sets are OK. Some I have been given as gifts, but most are from estate sales or thrift stores. I have at least 24 mix & match cups & saucers. The there are those that match my several sets of china!

I love the pedestal cake plates or the tiered serving pieces. The middle glass tiered dish & the metal one back right I purchased at the Salvation Army. The Hobnail cake plate I bought for $1. It has a repair on the pedestal part , but I cover with appropriate fancy ribbon! Sitting atop the hobnail cake plate is an Early American pressed Glass candy dish. It is a Bryce Highbee V in Heart Pattern from the late 1800′s. I found it for $2.99 at my Salvation Army Store! Just a couple of months ago! Be sure you use lots of scented candles, be creative with your candle holders. Use paper or lace doilies under or on your serving pieces.

Sorry I wish this picture was a bit clearer. There are cute silver teapot salt & pepper shakers & a darling  green heart shaped toothpick holder.  Be sure you have a nice glass or crystal on hand for water. Maybe not all of your guests drink tea.

       To use for serving sugar or with teacups, or as party favors, be sure to see some of the demitasse spoons I sell. Aren’t they sweet! Tie them up to a tea bag with a little satin ribbon & you have a darling tea party favor. If you can find some bargains, give each guest a fancy teacup to take home.

   YUMMY  FOOD TO SERVE

Offer your guests a variety of tea flavors. I leave them out in a lined basket. It is fun to use decorated sugar cubes & sugar tongs too!

TEA SANDWICHES

There are many varieties of tea sandwiches you can serve. Try to find a firmer style bread, cut the crust off & cut sandwiches either diagonally so you have 2 triangle sandwiches or in 4′s for a bit smaller sandwiches. Cucumber sandwiches have long been a tea party tradition. This is an easy one that everyone likes. Just spread softened cream cheese on bread & top with thinly sliced cucumbers. Simple. For a fall or Christmas time tea try turkey & cranberry sauce sandwiches. Use your favorite egg salad or chicken salad recipe. try adding sliced almonds to your chicken salad recipe, yum! For other fillings you can use, watercress, tomatoes, cheese, deli meats, smoked salmon or ham salad. For Children spread softened cream cheese on bread & top with jelly, cut with cookie cutter. On top of the sandwich spread just a bit of softened cream cheese & dust with sprinkles! Here’s mine:

SCONES  BISCUITS  COOKIES & CAKES 

You cannot have a Victorian Tea Party without scones.  You can find a variety of scone recipes on the internet. I have used scone mixes before as well. If you have a Panera Bread Store in your area, they have wonderful orange scones. You might like to have traditional devonshire cream, lemon curd or jelly or jams for your scones & biscuits.

Lemon Curd Recipe:

3 eggs
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup salted butter
1 cup sugar

Mix together melted butter & sugar. Add well beaten eggs & lemon juice. Place in double boiler or over simmering water. Stir continuously for 15 minutes or until thick. Allow to cool & refrigerate. Will keep for about 2 weeks.

Cupcakes are fun for tea parties. Be sure to see all or great cupcake baking accessories. Liners, wrappers, toppers, complete cupcake sets.

CUPCAKE Baking Liners Wrapper Picks Toppers Party

Traditional Tea Cakes Recipe:

4 cups flour
1 cup butter
2 egg yolks, beaten
milk
1 egg white, beaten
1/4 cup sugar
Caraway seeds

Mix all ingredients together, mix to paste with a little warm milk, cover with a cloth and let stand for about an hour in a warm place. Roll out cut with round or shaped cutter & bake on lightly greased or sprayed sheet at 350 degrees until they are golden brown.

For other treats serve a variety of breads, cakes & cookies.Serve sliced banana bread, shortbread cookies, your favorite holiday cookies, lady fingers, lemon cookies or biscuits, orange cake, peach or strawberry tarts or tartlets, petit fors, applesauce cake, brownies or fudge, carrot cake, gingerbread, or tiny cupcakes.

TEA PARTY THEMES

Do you need an excuse to have a Victorian Tea Party?? Next time you host a baby or bridal shower, make it a tea party, a birthday party for a friend, a Christmas tea is always beautiful. Host one for your ladies group at church or ladies Bible study. Celebrate an anniversary, invite over your grandma, or granddaughters, let your little girl invite her friends for a fancy dress up day! Combine a tea party with an etiquette class, have a garden tea party in the summer, and of course there is always Valentine’s Day, my favorite.

Having A Fairy Princess Tea Party?
Check Out This Too Cute Castle Cake at The Betty Crocker Website

I hope you enjoyed reading & have a wonderful time at your party!