If you’re stumped for ideas for a bridal shower theme, how about hosting an afternoon tea party? Not only does it give a busy bride-to-be some time to slow down, it’s also a nice way for the bride and groom’s family and friends to meet and mingle in a lovely setting.

If the weather is nice, a tea party bridal shower can be held outdoors, perhaps in the flowery garden of a favorite restaurant or the host’s backyard. The flowers will provide a ready-made backdrop for a pretty tea service and help to create a beautiful setting.

If the weather or location doesn't allow for an outdoor tea party it's easy to decorate a room to set the scene for a tea party. Pastel or floral tablecloths and decorations can be used to create the ambiance of a lovely tea room in a posh hotel. Now is the time to dust off that fancy china you’ve been saving for a special occasion, or perhaps you can borrow a tea setting from a relative or friend. Just be sure to take special care so that you can return everything intact when the affair is over. One way to be mindful of irreplaceable china would be to use it to decorate the room instead of leaving it at the mercy of your guests. Fill the delicate tableware with tiny flowers to decorate the table or spread them around the room.

Don’t forget to mention the tea party theme on the invitations so that guests can dress accordingly, which might include accessorizing their outfits with hats or gloves. You can help set the mood with light classical music or if your budget allows, a string quartet or harpist.

If your crowd is more into casual get-togethers, a bridal shower tea party doesn’t have to be fussy or formal. There are disposable tea sets that you can buy, use and toss when the affair is over. Your theme could be a Mad Hatter tea party where everyone wears an outrageous hat or dresses as someone from Alice in Wonderland.

Whether formal or casual, the menu for your bridal shower tea party should include a variety of teas and an assortment of scones and jam, sandwiches, cookies, small cakes, or petit-fours. If it’s an informal affair, set everything up buffet style so that guests can serve themselves. The only thing the host will have to do is to keep hot water boiling for the tea, or, if you’re serving iced tea, make sure you have plenty of ice on hand.

Tea party favors can be found in wedding supply stores or online shops, or you can make them yourself. If you’re using disposable tea settings, dress up the cups with ribbons or flowers and fill them with candies or small gifts — lovely keepsakes for the guests and easy clean-up for the host!