Last weekend the Hilton Sydney was host to The High Tea Party – the perfect excuse to catch up with the girls and enjoy the best of the best in decadent treats, teas and of course, champagne.
Amy Dulihanty, Lauren Dulihanty, Emma Scott, Kate Doe
The High Tea Party took place over the 8th & 9th November, where this modern take on a classic high tea saw ladies glam up to the occasion. Featuring complimentary pamper sessions, tastings, workshops and parades, guests were also treated to celebrity guest stylist Joh Bailey attending for a ‘meet and greet’ session.
Katherine Keighran, Laraine Keighran, Nikki Deery
It was a gorgeous all-day event that brought together the things that make for a perfect High Tea – shopping, champagne, tea and cake, all of which was shared among special friends and family.
Feeling inspired by the High Tea Party at the Hilton?
Here’s some insider tips and tricks from the founder of The High Tea Party, Alison Dean. Alison is without-a-doubt an expert. Her High Tea Party concept plays host to over 25,000 ladies a year across 5 cities nationally – that’s a lot of tea and scones! Alison shares with us how to take a modern approach to the traditional high tea and host the perfect high tea at home:
Keep it clean
A common mistake that women tend to make when holding events is going over the top. There is no need to ‘go big’ to make your event a success. I like a clean look – white tablecloths and serviettes with a bunch of fresh flowers as a centrepiece is always classic. Keeping the foundations simple really allows for the food, beverages and your gorgeous china to shine!
Have more than one teapot on hand
A cardinal sin for any tea party hostess is limiting the tea selection to one pot – or one flavour! Tea has become trendy again with the modern woman being exposed to seemingly limitless flavour options. Basically, only offering your standard English Breakfast simply won’t cut it, however as a classic it should always be an option for your guests. It’s also a good idea to have at least two herbal tea flavours brewing. Champagne is also a welcome beverage option! If you are hosting a more casual affair, you can always leave cute teabags in bowls next to boiling water where guests can select their own flavour.
Sweet and Savoury
Just because you have a sweet tooth, doesn’t mean that all your guests do too. It is important to accommodate for all tastes and dietary requirements when hosting an event. Finger sandwiches are always popular and a staple on high tea platters everywhere, and for those who like sweets, you can never go wrong with mini cupcakes. I always check in with my guests for allergies and intolerances so I can make sure that no one goes hungry!
Don’t go crazy on the invites
If you want to have a massive party, don’t hold a tea party in your home. I find that at-home tea parties work best when you are hosting 8 guests or less. You want your high tea party to feel cozy and inviting – an intimate get together for a group of fabulous women to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
Make sure to dress the part
Even if your tea party is going to be a casual affair, it’s always important as the hostess to look polished. Think ‘smart casual’ so a nice dress and heels is perfect, and indulge with your hair and make-up. Not only is high tea a great excuse to dress up a little, you don’t want your guests to think that they aren’t worth the effort.
Leave a Reply