Afternoon Tea began as a social gathering around the 1840s in England. This ritual came with some “rules” on how one should conduct themselves during this type of tea time. Proper etiquette is important as it is a sign of respect to the host and the rest of the guests at afternoon tea.
If sat at a table, the proper manner to drink tea is to raise the tea cup, leaving the saucer on the table, and to place the cup back on the saucer between sips. It's considered rude to look anywhere but into the cup whilst sipping tea, and absolutely no slurping!
If you are brewing in a pot and pour out into cups, the first cup will have the lightest tea and the last cup will have the strongest.
What is this? Afternoon tea etiquette is to eat the sandwiches first, then the scones, then the pastries. Some places will serve the food in courses, so you won't have to worry about remembering the order.
Though some women will opt for a fancy dresses or long skirts, dress pants are fine if they're well-tailored. For garden party teas, a floral print dress and wide brimmed hat would be a stylish option. Alternately you could dress up a simple day dress or pants outfit with a bright colored scarf.
Afternoon Tea Dress Code for Women
Most afternoon tea venues have a relaxed smart/casual dress code, so there are many different ways you can dress for afternoon tea. You could opt for a relaxed and easy look with a dress or skirt and shirt combination, or you can go slightly more formal with a trouser suit look.
Ideally, your tea party should last around two to three hours, but this variable will ultimately depend on the type of crowd you've invited. Children may want to stay a bit longer, but an event that's too long can lead to a tantrum or two.
It was common to pour hot tea or coffee from the cup into the saucer to cool the drink. This was a time when coffee was boiled and it was served extremely hot. It was more efficient — and actually considered more polite — to drink coffee from a saucer first rather than trying to carefully sip it while it was hot.
Pick out clothes with soft colors or floral patterns.
In general, skip the color black for a tea party, which can look way too formal or serious. Remember, you want light, bright, fun colors! Choose light, flowy dresses made from cotton, linen, or a synthetic blend for spring and summer teas.
With so many table manners to keep track, keep these basic, but oh-so-important, table manners in mind as you eat: Chew with your mouth closed. Keep your smartphone off the table and set to silent or vibrate. Wait to check calls and texts until you are finished with the meal and away from the table.
The correct order to enjoy the food that accompanies afternoon tea is savory to sweet: sandwiches first, then scones, and sweets last. You can use your fingers to eat all three courses. To eat a scone, you simply break it in half with your fingers.
Allow 3-4 sandwiches per person. But don't prepare them too early as they will either go soggy or dry out.
It comes from the fact that cultured people would eat their tea goodies with three fingers and commoners would hold the treats with all five fingers. Thus was born the misguided belief that one should raise their pinky finger to show they were cultured.
And though the aforementioned styles work well for afternoon tea, you don't have to wear a dress or skirt to be “smart casual.” Dress pants or stylish slacks can provide another stylish option to wear to your afternoon tea. Just make sure they are tailored well, fit properly and are suited for the season.
It is somewhere between tight and baggy; somewhere between short and long. There is often a print – flowers, polka dots, cherries, that sort of thing. It usually has sleeves, and a deepish V neckline. The retro mood of the tea dress is part of its charm, but it is probably best to avoid overly literal styling.
A tea gown or tea-gown is a woman's dress for informal entertaining at home. These dresses, which became popular around the mid-19th century, are characterized by unstructured lines and light fabrics.
Wear one at home with flat sandals and you'll have a garden-ready look that is both effortlessly feminine and practical. Team it with a pair of hiking boots and you're ready to take on the world. To choose the right one, bypass anything that's too fitted.
Black is a completely acceptable option for high tea styling.
If you want to ensure you're wearing the proper high tea attire, stay away from anything mini or clingy. You will be seated most of the time, so make sure your high tea dress is comfortable: not too short or tight. Something that hits just above or below your knee will be perfect.
The sequence of serving tea
The couple should serve the male relative first and then the female relative. Ensure that you always serve the teacups with two hands and greet them by their formal title in the family. For example, the groom will offer to his dad first, “Father, please drink the tea”.