Afternoon tea is a small, civilised celebration. The best china comes out of the cupboard, the scones are still warm, and everyone remembers their manners for a couple of hours. It suits birthdays, bridal showers, Mother’s Day, a friend’s retirement or a simple Saturday catch-up. This invitation looks like the door of a charming little tearoom.
The Tearoom Awning and the Doily
The card is 5 x 7 inches in a soft pink. Across the top runs a striped tearoom awning in mint and white, finished with a scalloped edge like a real shop canopy. In the middle sits a large white lace doily with a scalloped rim, a ring of tiny rose dots, and a dotted inner line. A rose-pink teapot rests at the top of the doily, as if it has just been set down.
The words sit on the doily. You’re invited to is in rose italic, then Afternoon Tea in Playfair Display italic, followed by SCONES · SANDWICHES · THE GOOD CHINA in small rose capitals. The date and time, Saturday, April 25, three o’clock, are in Playfair Display, and at Auntie June’s is written underneath. Below the doily, the address and a rose-coloured RSVP line (Pinkies up!) lead to a matching mint-and-white awning stripe at the foot, with the OTO logo on a white pill.
The Three Tiers, Explained
A traditional afternoon tea is served on a three-tier stand, and there is an order to eating it: savoury first, then scones, then sweets. Here is a classic menu, tier by tier.
| Tier | Traditional food | Easy home version |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom | Finger sandwiches with crusts removed | Cucumber and cream cheese, egg and cress, ham and mustard |
| Middle | Scones with clotted cream and jam | Bake the scones in the morning; warm them before serving |
| Top | Small cakes and pastries | Macarons, lemon tarts, mini Victoria sponges, shortbread |
Plan on about four sandwiches, one or two scones and two or three sweets per guest. If you do not have a tiered stand, cake stands of different heights look just as lovely.
Choosing the Teas
Offer at least two or three teas so guests can choose. A classic black tea such as English Breakfast or Assam, a lighter scented tea like Earl Grey, and a caffeine-free herbal option such as peppermint or chamomile cover most tastes. Use loose-leaf tea with a strainer if you can; it feels special, and the aroma when the pot is opened sets the mood straight away. Warm the teapot with hot water before brewing, and set out milk, lemon slices and sugar cubes with tongs. For a summer tea party, a jug of iced tea with lemon is a welcome addition.
Customising the Doily, Awning and Teapot
Every line of text is editable, so double-click to change the date, the host, the address and the RSVP. At Auntie June’s might become at the Rosewood Tearoom or in honour of Grandma Pearl’s 90th.
The awning at the top and the stripe at the bottom are each a single grouped object. Change the mint to lavender, butter yellow, or pale blue in a few clicks. The doily, including its scalloped edge and dot ring, is also grouped; you can make it ivory instead of white, or change the rose dots to gold. The teapot is an editable vector illustration currently tinted rose; select it to choose a new colour from its swatch, perhaps mint to match the awning.
Fonts are Playfair Display for the title and date and Montserrat for the small text, both available in the editor.
Tea Party Etiquette for Modern Hosts
- Pour for your guests the first time, then let them help themselves.
- Stir tea gently back and forth rather than round and round, and lay the spoon on the saucer.
- Scones are split by hand, not cut with a knife.
- The jam-or-cream-first debate is a matter of regional pride. Let guests choose and enjoy the argument.
- “Pinkies up” is a joke, not a rule: hold the cup handle between thumb and finger.
Themes That Pair Well with Afternoon Tea
An afternoon tea can carry a theme without much effort. An Alice in Wonderland tea party with mismatched cups and Drink Me labels is perfect for a birthday. A garden tea with wildflowers in teapots suits a bridal shower. A Regency tea with gloves and fans delights fans of period dramas. A high tea with sparkling wine is lovely for a milestone birthday. For children, a teddy bear’s picnic tea with miniature sandwiches is a classic.
Paper, Ribbon and Envelopes
Download the PDF and print on a smooth white card. The pink and mint look delicate and fresh on a bright stock. For a finishing touch, tie each invitation with a narrow satin ribbon, or slip a tea bag into the envelope with a note: Save this for April 25. If you prefer to send the invitation digitally, download a PNG or JPG.
Afternoon Tea Questions
What is the difference between afternoon tea and high tea?
Afternoon tea is the light, elegant meal with sandwiches and cakes. High tea was traditionally a heartier evening meal, though many venues now use the name for afternoon tea.
What time should an afternoon tea start?
Between two and four o’clock. Three o’clock is classic and leaves room for a light supper later.
Can I host it at a hotel or tearoom?
Yes. Many offer private tea parties. Replace at Auntie June’s with the venue and mention any booking deadline.
Do I need matching teacups?
Not at all. Mismatched vintage cups from charity shops are part of the charm, and many hosts collect them over the years. Guests often enjoy choosing their own cup from the tray, and it makes it easy for everyone to remember which one is theirs.
How many guests should I invite?
Eight to twelve fits around a dining table or two small tables, with enough cups for everyone.
Set the kettle on the card: add your date, your host, and your address, and send it to the people you want to share a pot with.
