One of the hobbies that I have taken great interest in is the art of afternoon tea. With this in mind, I recently decided to curate a Sunday afternoon tea date for my daughter and I using a beautiful autumn-inspired tea set that was gifted to me by my mother years ago.
After immersing ourselves in an afternoon of pure bliss, I wanted to share the steps that I took to execute such a lovely Sunday afternoon. In this post, I will share everything from selecting the perfect attire to choosing teas and preparing delightful treats. So, grab a cup of tea, and let’s embark on the art of an autumnal afternoon tea.
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Dressing the Part
To begin, plan out your attire and choose outfits that look the part. For both, my daughter and I chose beautiful fall-colored dresses, embracing wine-red and floral hues that perfectly complement the season, as well as our chosen decor.
For my daughter, I chose a wine-red-colored dress called the CCJRLM Baby Girls Christmas Dress found on Amazon that she also wore in a Christmas-Inspired post a few weeks back.
For myself, I chose a floral dress called Wild Rose from Jessakae which I shared on the blog several months ago in the following post, My First Order: Jessakae Mystery Bundle Try On Blog Review.
I honestly believe that dressing in fall colors such as orange, wine-red, brown, and gold helps make the experience more elegant and in alignment with the changing foliage of the season.
Disclaimer | This post contains affiliate links to items I use and recommend.
Choosing the Proper Tea Set
Keeping with the theme, I wanted to be sure to select a proper tea set. Selecting a proper tea set is essential when curating and planning a fall afternoon tea as it contributes significantly to the overall aesthetic and experience.
I chose a beautiful fall-inspired maple-leaf tea set that my mom gifted me years ago. It’s the Royal Ming Bone China Maple Leaf vintage set from Japan in the 1950s. I love the maple leaf pattern, as well as the mauve-colored leaves. It’s a non-traditional fall color that worked out very well for our tablescape which included this ASTRYAS Artificial Floral Arrangement which comes complete with a vase.
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Curating a Memorable Tablescape
Speaking of tablescapes, curating a memorable tablescape is another important element of enjoying an autumnal afternoon tea experience. Much like selecting your attire, the tablescape should reflect the warm and inviting atmosphere of autumn.
Begin by choosing a tablecloth or placemats in earthy tones such as burnt orange, deep burgundy, or golden yellow, providing a rich backdrop for the table. I wanted more of a natural look and chose a burlap tablecloth with no placemats or chargers as I would typically do for dinner.
However, I added some layers and dimensions by incorporating textured elements such as the 3-tiered pink cupcake stand and the pumpkin-shaped dispenser that I picked up from the Target Dollar Sport for only $5.
Had this been for more people, I would have included more elements, but for my daughter and I on a Sunday afternoon, it was just right.
Lastly, don’t forget to add an elegant centerpiece, be it seasonal flowers or decorative pumpkins as it adds a beautiful focal point, while carefully arranged teacups, saucers, and dessert plates in autumnal hues or intricate patterns complete the look.
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Selecting the Perfect Teas
Transitioning from the visual appeal of the table display, the next step is to select a tea that you and your guests will enjoy. Since this was solely for my daughter and me, I chose a simple Earl Grey tea.
However, you could keep with the autumn theme and choose something that better reflects the season such as herbal blends with cinnamon, apple, or pumpkin notes. While loose-leaf teas may be a great option for adults, I felt that tea bags worked better for our occasion.
Pop on over to my Instagram for the Afternoon Tea video and leave a comment!
Preparing An Array of Treats
With the tea selection complete, it was time for me to decide on a menu. While it would have been ideal to incorporate seasonal ingredients like apples and pumpkins, it’s not what I had on hand. Instead, we went with mini blueberry muffins, mini warmed and buttered, croissants, nuts from Nut Cravings, and small cucumber finger sandwiches.
Keep in mind that presentation is key, so be sure to use stylish tiered trays or vintage cake stands, garnishing treats with edible flowers, or seasonal fruit slices for visual appeal. I chose to use a variety of artificial flowers, pumpkins, and pumpkin stems, and it all worked out very well.
Capture the Memories
Lastly, you cannot have such an affair and not take any photos. Since we did this at home, it was an easy task to set up some additional lighting with my video and ring lights and rope in one of my boys to capture a few photos and video clips. These photos will effortlessly preserve the genuine emotions and happiness of this memorable afternoon.
Final Thoughts
In summary, I am so pleased that this autumnal afternoon came together without a hitch. I have wanted to create this experience for my daughter and me all season, and this past Sunday all of the pieces fell together quite well.
