Plan Ahead
Up to 1 Month Before
- Make Celebration Cookies; freeze unfrosted.
- Make Berry Cheesecake in Chocolate Crust up to the point of topping with sour cream and berries; wrap tightly and freeze.
The Day Before
- Make Rose Teacups Table Decorations; store in cool place.
- Make Orange-Honey Dressing for Strawberry-Melon Spinach Salad; store covered in refrigerator.
- Prepare salad fruits and veggies; refrigerate in separate containers or resealable plastic bags.
- Make Pesto and Roasted-Vegetable Sandwich Loaf.
- Prepare cucumbers for Cucumber Slices Provençal up to the point of topping; refrigerate.
- Frost and decorate cookies.
- Make Ginger Lemonade.
The Morning Of
- Garnish sandwich loaf with fresh herbs; refrigerate.
- Thaw cheesecake in refrigerator. Spread sour cream topping over thawed cheesecake, and top with berries.
About 2 Hours Before
- Top cucumbers; refrigerate until ready to serve.
About 15 Minutes Before Serving
- Garnish cucumbers.
- Assemble salad.
- Make Chai Tea or Freshly Brewed Tea.
Party Guide
Something Borrowed, Something Blue
- Make Rose Teacups Table Decorations using the bride's style and colors. Scatter the teacups throughout the dining area and service table, weaving matching ribbons through them. Give the teacups to guests as mementos.
- Pull out an heirloom lace tablecloth or a simple modern white tablecloth. Drapery fabric from an outlet store can make a colorful, reasonably priced table covering. Cloth napkins are nice, however, very high-quality special paper napkins are available in gift stores. Consider including one blue napkin (something blue) and awarding a prize to the guest who receives it.
- Indulge yourself by buying that classy teapot you've had your eye on. Or use your favorite teapot--china, ceramic or silver. You'll want at least two teapots--don't worry if they don't match--so you won't have to keep running to the kitchen.
- Bring out your most delicate china, serving plates and platters. Ask friends or family if you can borrow (something borrowed) a few pieces, or pick up items at tag sales. Even the poshest teahouses spread their tables with mix-and-match patterns of collected china.
Tea for Two
- Gifting a bride can be fun and easy if she's a tea lover. Check the bridal registry to determine her style. With possible styles from classic museum to Victorian frilly, you'll want to have it right. Ask guests to bring tea-related gifts to shower the bride, or pool your finances and buy a colossal gift, such as a tea service for two with all the accessories. You may find a mail-order tea service that offers monthly tea shipments, as well.