21 Elegant Tea Party Themes For Your Group

Tea parties are a delightful way to get together with friends! Did you know that there are dozens of ways to throw a tea party? From traditional afternoon tea to tea ceremonies that other countries prefer, tea party themes can be as elegant or whimsical as you like!

We at Peerspace love helping people plan parties and find venues near you to host them. So let us help with some of our favorite elegant tea party themes for your group!

1. Alice in Wonderland tea party

The Mad Tea Party is a major plot point in the Alice in Wonderland story. You can make that the focus of a tea party theme with decorations like mad hats covered in feathers and glitter. Or even have a hat-making event as a part of the festivities before tea is served! Guests will want to dress over the top if they’re emulating the Mad Hatter – or have a simple blue dress when playing as Alice! 

2. Color tea party

Tea parties are often as much about dressing up in fun clothes and appreciating the nice decorations as they are about enjoying fine tea. Are you familiar with color parties? You choose a color as the theme and then match the decorations, food, and even the clothes you wear to it! A color tea party focused on green might welcome spring and include green clothes, an outdoor grassy venue, and green food choices!

Peerspace venues like this backyard in San Francisco, CA, have a grassy green lawn and beautiful green bushes to provide the perfect backdrop for your party!

3. Bridal tea party

A bridal tea party is a fun event to include as part of the wedding festivities! One way to make a bridal tea party even more special is by making a color part of the theme.

Bridal white is our favorite choice! It already goes well with the color of the fine china you serve tea with. White decorations and food should also be included. Have guests dress up in the color of the day as well; for apparel options check out our list of chic white party outfit ideas! 

4. Afternoon tea party

Are you looking to host a quintessentially elegant tea party? Think about planning an afternoon tea party, then! This is the tea party of the British aristocracy where it’s a social gathering with lacy clothes and dainty bites served along with the tea! If you want to be truly authentic, use low-slung chairs for seating instead of the higher-backed ones that high tea parties use.

5. High tea party

Despite the name, High tea is different from afternoon tea because it is the more casual of the two kinds of party. Even tea parlors in the UK use the two terms interchangeably so it’s okay if you thought otherwise! A high tea party is named for the high-backed chairs, not because it’s fancier. Hearty dishes are meant to be served at a high tea party instead of the dainty finger sandwiches and cookies you expect from afternoon tea!

Check out these elegant tea party games to help keep your guests entertained throughout your event.

6. Gender reveal tea party

Make your upcoming tea party a gender reveal for your new boy or girl! Pink and blue decorations and gender reveal food ideas are all appropriate for this theme. If you want to fully embrace the idea (and the gender to be revealed is male), make some butterfly pea tea. The drink ends up being a light blue, plus the tea itself has a unique flavor! 

7. Autumn tea party

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One of the best ways to welcome fall is with a holiday tea party. Autumn has distinctive snacks and color choices for decorations, making it easy to form a tea party theme with it. Orange, red, yellow, and brown should be the colors you use when hanging up decorations and choosing tea cups and pots. Think about snacks like gingerbread cookies, tea sandwiches, and autumnal soups like pureed squash.

8. Chinese tea party

Chinese tea culture is very distinct from the British way of doing things. Why not enjoy a Chinese tea party for the Chinese New Year (or just for fun)? The cups don’t have rings to grasp them with so you may want to buy a separate set for the occasion! Chinese tea blends include grassy green teas and earthy fermented red teas so get ready to expand your tea horizons!

9. Birthday tea party

A tea party is an exciting birthday idea to consider! From the outfits you choose to the snacks and decorations, a tea party birthday stands out from the usual way of doing things. Plus it’s fun and appropriate for all ages!

Have you thought about a venue for your tea party birthday yet? Peerspace has hundreds of spaces that would be perfect for this theme! One of our favorites is this urban cottage oasis in Manhattan, NY! You wouldn’t think you could hold a garden tea party in the heart of New York but this space offers a secluded country feel just 10 minutes walking from the F train!

10. Princess tea party

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Get the girls together for a princess tea party for an upcoming birthday party or social gathering. The princess theme is so much fun because it means you get to dress up and play pretend with a beautiful dress, crown, and royal decorations! 

11. Christmas tea party

Christmas is a holiday that’s easy to weave into any party theme, including a tea party! You’ll want to choose snack-type foods that work with both themes, like peppermint cookies or seasonal soups to go with finger sandwiches. Tea is also a warming drink that you will readily enjoy by a fire pit or next to an indoor fireplace with friends.

12. Galentine’s Day tea party

Whether you’re single or have a partner, a Galentine’s Day party ensures every one of your besties feels loved for the day! You can make Galentine’s Day the tea party theme by using some of the Galentine’s Day food ideas we’ve curated for you. Most of these are sweet snacks and small bites which are a perfect match for a tea party.

13. Mom and daughter tea party

Want to catch up with your daughter or mother with an exciting special event? Make the day extra fun by hosting a tea party with her! You can even weave in some of the other tea party themes on this list. Dress your best for an elegant mother-daughter afternoon tea party or bring presents if one of you is celebrating her birthday.

14. Floral tea party

Make flowers the theme of this tea party idea! It goes very well with a spring or summer-themed party as well. Think about using decorations like cut flower bouquets, tea cups, and pots with flowers printed on them, and apparel options like dresses with floral prints. You can even use edible flowers in soups and salads! 

15. Indian tea party

Tea isn’t a British invention; people have been drinking tea in Asia for centuries. If you want to try tea from the perspective of a different culture, think about hosting an Indian tea party. Chai time is a chance to relax and enjoy conversation with family and friends. Tea snacks like samosas and pakoras are a good pairing for a few cups of chai!

16. Easter tea party

The pastel colors and spring timing of Easter are perfect for a tea party theme to plan around! Artificial eggs colored in pastel Easter colors are a nice decorative centerpiece. Your tea cups and pots can include the same colors as well. For a children’s party, include thematic games like hunting for Easter eggs. You can even include small Easter baskets filled with chocolates and other treats as party favors for your guests.

Check out our special Easter brunch ideas to nail down the menu for this tea party theme!

17. Beach tea party

Celebrate summer with a beach tea party! You can set up a party table with tea snacks and drinks at the beach as easily as you can in a garden or inside of a dining room. You can even take breaks from chatting away to swim, fly a kite, and make sand castles before returning for more tea snacks!

18. Winter tea party

Winter is a wonderful time to relax with friends in a warm space indoors with a cup of equally warm tea! A winter tea party can be woven into a holiday celebration, like Christmas or Halloween, or celebrated on its own. White decorations dusted in fake snow, a fire pit, and spiced holiday drinks are a perfect match to cups of hot tea and cider!

19. Unicorn tea party

Unicorns are some of the most whimsical animals in the world of magical beasts, princesses, and fairies! That makes them an amazing choice for a children’s tea party. We recommend using Etsy for unicorn tea party decorations, invitations, and cake toppers!

20. Downton Abbey tea party

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If you’re a fan of the hit show Downton Abbey then you’ve probably thought of hosting your own afternoon tea at some point. You can make the show the tea party theme by having guests dress as one of their favorite characters. Your afternoon tea game really needs to be on point, with British fine china and traditional teas like Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea! Maybe some imported Devonshire clotted cream as well to spoon onto scones or into your tea?

21. Fairy tale tea party

The last of our team party themes might be the most whimsical: try hosting a fairy tale tea party! The invitations can include castles, sparkling stars, ribbons, and magical animals like unicorns or satyrs. Guests are free to dress up in an outfit or costume that fits the theme; you can even choose one of your favorite classic or modern fairy tales!

Elegant tea party themes: conclusion

With these thoughtful tea party themes and the perfect party venue rental from Peerspace, you’re well on your way to throwing a memorable gathering. Keep an eye on our events resource pages for more party-planning tips and tricks that help you host events like a pro.

Find unique tea party venues near you on Peerspace