Create Gatherings Your Guests Will Remember
Professional afternoon tea service that brings elegance and warmth to your celebrations, allowing you to be present with your guests.
Return to HomeWhat This Service Delivers
Event Tea Service removes the complexity from hosting memorable gatherings. We handle every element of afternoon tea presentation, from selecting premium teas to preparing traditional accompaniments, allowing you to focus entirely on your guests and the occasion you're celebrating.
Our team arrives with everything needed for a proper afternoon tea service. Tiered presentations of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with accompaniments, and carefully chosen pastries create the visual and culinary foundation. Multiple tea selections give guests options while our trained staff ensures service flows naturally throughout your event.
This isn't about formality for its own sake. It's about creating an atmosphere where conversation can flourish, where guests feel cared for without being fussed over, and where the details are handled with enough grace that they enhance rather than dominate the gathering. You get to be the host who enjoys their own event.
The Challenge of Hosting Well
You want to host an event that feels special, something more thoughtful than standard catering but not so elaborate that it overwhelms your budget or your schedule. Afternoon tea feels like the right choice, but the practical considerations stack up quickly.
There's the food preparation alone: finger sandwiches need to be made close to service time, scones should be fresh and warm, pastries require either skilled baking or careful sourcing. Then comes the tea itself, which involves knowing which varieties to offer, how to prepare them properly, and managing service so guests can enjoy multiple cups without constant interruption.
Beyond the food and beverage, there's timing to consider. Afternoon tea has a natural flow, but executing that while also greeting guests, managing conversations, and addressing the inevitable small issues that arise at any gathering can leave you exhausted rather than energized by your own event.
Perhaps most significantly, you want your guests to feel genuinely welcomed rather than impressed by production value. The balance between elegance and warmth, between proper service and comfortable conversation, is difficult to achieve when you're also managing logistics.
Our Approach to Event Service
We've developed our service model through years of supporting gatherings of all sizes. Our approach centers on making afternoon tea accessible and enjoyable while maintaining the quality and attention to detail that makes these occasions memorable.
Food preparation happens in our kitchen using recipes that honor tradition while accommodating contemporary preferences and dietary needs. We work with quality ingredients and prepare everything to be served at optimal temperature and freshness. The tiered presentation creates visual interest without requiring elaborate setup at your venue.
Our tea selection process considers your guest demographics and the nature of your event. We typically offer 3-4 varieties that provide genuine choice without overwhelming decision-making. Staff members are trained not just in proper preparation but in reading the room, understanding when to refill and when to step back, keeping service present but unobtrusive.
Before your event, we walk through timing and logistics with you. We discuss dietary accommodations, venue considerations, and any specific preferences you have about service style. On the day itself, we arrive with sufficient lead time to set up quietly, allowing your event to begin when you're ready rather than when we've finished preparing.
What distinguishes our service is training staff to support conversation rather than interrupt it. Tea service should enhance gathering, not fragment it with constant activity. We've developed timing protocols that keep guests comfortable and attended to while preserving the natural flow of social interaction.
What Working Together Looks Like
Initial Planning
When you contact us about event service, we begin with a conversation about your gathering. We need to understand the occasion, your guest count, any dietary requirements, and the atmosphere you're hoping to create. This helps us recommend appropriate menu options and service approaches. Most planning conversations take 20-30 minutes and can happen by phone or video call.
Menu Customization
While we have standard offerings that work well for most events, we're happy to adjust based on your preferences and guest needs. Vegetarian and vegan options are available for all menu components. We can accommodate most common food allergies with advance notice. If your event has specific cultural or dietary considerations, we'll work with you to address them thoughtfully.
Event Day Service
Our team arrives at your venue approximately 90 minutes before service begins. We handle all setup including table arrangements for tea service, preparation of service ware, and final food preparation steps. When your guests arrive, everything is ready. Service proceeds at a pace that matches your event's natural rhythm. We're responsive to your signals about timing while also managing service flow professionally.
Your Role as Host
You're free to focus on what matters most: being present with your guests. Greet arrivals, facilitate introductions, participate in conversations without worrying about kitchen timing or service logistics. When you want to make a toast or give remarks, signal us and we'll pause service appropriately. At the end of your event, we handle all cleanup and removal of service items.
The Investment
This per-guest investment covers comprehensive afternoon tea service for your event. When you consider the cost of quality ingredients, professional preparation, proper service ware, trained staff, and the time involved in coordination and setup, this pricing reflects fair value while remaining accessible for many occasions.
Compare this to restaurant afternoon tea service, which often runs $40-60 per person without including the convenience of coming to your chosen venue. Factor in the effort you'd invest hosting yourself, including shopping, preparation, service management, and cleanup. Our service lets you create a special gathering without the work that typically makes hosting feel daunting.
For corporate events or larger celebrations, we can discuss pricing adjustments that reflect economies of scale while maintaining service quality. We're transparent about costs and happy to work within budgets when possible.
Complete Service Includes:
- Tiered presentation of traditional finger sandwiches (cucumber, smoked salmon, egg salad, chicken salad)
- Freshly baked scones served warm with clotted cream and preserves
- Selection of petit fours and seasonal pastries
- Premium tea selection (typically 3-4 varieties including black, green, and herbal options)
- All service ware including china, glassware, and linens
- Professional service staff trained in traditional afternoon tea service
- Complete setup before event and full cleanup after service
- Accommodation of dietary restrictions with advance notice
What You Can Expect
We've provided afternoon tea service for over 300 events in the past two years, ranging from intimate gatherings of 12 to corporate receptions of 80 guests. This experience has taught us how to adapt service to different settings while maintaining consistent quality.
Our approach draws on traditional afternoon tea service protocols adapted for contemporary settings. Staff training emphasizes not just technical skills but situational awareness. They learn to recognize when guests need attention and when they prefer to be left to their conversations. This balance requires practice and ongoing refinement.
Guest feedback consistently highlights two elements: the quality of food preparation and the unobtrusive nature of service. People notice when scones are genuinely fresh, when sandwiches are made with care, when tea is properly brewed. They also appreciate being able to enjoy their gathering without feeling managed or interrupted by service staff.
For planning purposes, we recommend booking 3-4 weeks in advance for most events, though we can sometimes accommodate shorter timelines depending on our schedule. This lead time allows for menu customization, dietary accommodation planning, and coordination with your venue if needed. Larger events or those with complex requirements benefit from longer planning periods.
Our Commitment to Your Event
Your event matters to us because it matters to you. We approach each gathering with the same care regardless of size or formality. If something doesn't meet your expectations during service, our team is empowered to address it immediately rather than after the fact.
We carry liability insurance and maintain food safety certifications for all staff members. Our equipment is regularly inspected and maintained. These aren't just administrative requirements but practical measures that protect both you and your guests.
In the unlikely event that we need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, we'll provide as much notice as possible and help you find alternative arrangements if feasible. If the cancellation originates from our side, any deposits would be fully refunded.
We understand that planning events involves managing multiple vendors and details. Our goal is to be the easiest part of your planning process through clear communication, reliable execution, and responsive problem-solving when issues arise.
Professional Standards
Insured, certified staff with extensive event experience
Reliable Timing
Punctual arrival and service that matches your schedule
Clear Communication
Responsive to questions throughout planning and service
How to Book Event Service
Beginning the conversation is straightforward. Reach out through our contact form with basic information about your event: the date, expected guest count, venue location, and the type of occasion you're planning. We'll respond within one business day to schedule a planning conversation.
During our planning call, we'll discuss menu options, any dietary requirements, service timing, and logistical details about your venue. Most of these conversations take 30-45 minutes. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of what we'll provide and we'll have the information needed to serve your event well.
We'll provide a written proposal outlining menu selections, service details, pricing, and terms. Once you approve the proposal, we request a 50% deposit to secure your date. The remaining balance is due one week before your event. From there, we handle the details while staying in touch about any questions or adjustments needed.
Send Initial Inquiry
Contact us with your event date, guest count, and basic details about the occasion
Planning Conversation
We'll schedule a call to discuss menu options, dietary needs, and service logistics
Review Proposal
Receive detailed proposal with menu, pricing, and service details for your approval
Secure Your Date
Deposit confirms your booking, then we handle details leading up to your event
Ready to Discuss Your Event?
Let's talk about how afternoon tea service might enhance your gathering. Whether you're planning a corporate event, a celebration, or an intimate gathering, we're here to help make it memorable.
Start Planning Your EventExplore Other Ways We Can Help
Afternoon Collection
A monthly subscription celebrating afternoon tea with carefully selected black teas and seasonal recipe cards. Build the habit of pause and gathering at your own pace.
Hosting Workshop
Learn to host tea gatherings with confidence through a comprehensive session covering etiquette, food pairing, and timing management adapted for modern life.