A Valentine tea party is the perfect way to gather with your girlfriends for Galentine’s Day. With our simple decorations, drinks and food ideas, you’ll have all the inspiration you need to get started.
Tea parties are one of my favorite ways to celebrate with my girlfriends.
They are usually held in the afternoon. So you don’t have to cook a whole meal.
And they’re centered around serving tea. So you don’t have to stock a whole bar, either.
Which is why when I wanted to host a Valentine party for my friends (some would call it a Galentine’s party), I decided to do a Valentine’s Day tea party.
And it was so much fun, it might become an annual occurrence.
Themes
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I always like to pick a theme when I’m having a party.
It makes deciding on decorations so much easier.
For this one, I went with a hearts and flowers theme.
But you could also do an Alice in Wonderland theme, a vintage theme or pick a color to use as the theme (pink, red, teal or a combination of those would work).
The table Setting
I used a black tablecloth on my table because I like how it makes the pink and white colors pop.
But if you don’t like that much contrast, a white tablecloth would work, too.
Then for each place setting, I layered a pink glass charger, light pink dinner plate and heart-shaped appetizer plate topped with a linen napkin and flower napkin holder.
Since pink and gold is one of my favorite color combinations, I used gold cutlery to finish it off.
Mix and match tea cups
Since this is a tea party, having pretty tea cups is a must.
But getting a matched set can be really expensive!
So I made the rounds to all of the thrift stores in the area and found a bunch of mis-matched cups and saucers. (I don’t think it feels like a real tea party if you don’t have the saucers).
Then I found a few more (like this one) at HomeGoods, which also weren’t very expensive.
Fortunately, they all had roses on them so that helped to tie them all together, and went with my theme.
The centerpiece
The centerpiece I created looks a lot more complicated than it actually is.
I started with a black and white striped runner that I used as the base.
Then placed five mis-matched pink and white cake stands down the middle of the table (on top of the runner).
And wound a garland of faux pink flowers in and around the cake stands.
Then I used the cake stands as serving pieces for the tea pot and some heart-shaped Valentine’s cookies.
That way they were pretty and functional.
Other decorations
On the buffet beside the table, I used a row of small bouquets with white roses and baby’s breath alternating with white candles.
Since it’s easier to put these flowers in vases, I used real ones rather than the fake ones I had on the table.
And using small bouquets meant I didn’t need that many flowers so that kept the cost down.
Behind the small bouquets, I had a couple of larger ones with pink hydrangeas and baby’s breath, along with candle lanterns and a chalkboard sign that I drew a heart on.
The whole thing created a pretty backdrop for my table that goes with the theme but wasn’t too matchy-matchy.
The Tea
A tea party isn’t a tea party without the tea.
I always offer 2 kinds of tea at my parties – the traditional caffeinated kind (like Earl Grey) and flavored herbal teas.
If you are making the tea in pots (the traditional way), you’ll need to pick which ones you’re going to serve in advance.
Otherwise, you can have hot water available with a selection of tea bags that people can choose from and everyone can pick what they want. (But I will say that some tea-drinkers will tell you this isn’t the proper way to serve it).
Other drinks
I also like to serve some kind of wine or champagne at my tea parties.
For Valentine’s Day, these strawberry mimosas always go over well.
And depending what your friends like, these pink champagne jello shots might also be a hit.
Food & recipes
At a traditional afternoon tea, mini sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and different kinds of tarts are usually served on a 3-tiered stand.
But since I was having a few people over and it was a Valentine’s Day party, I served a slightly different menu.
We did have mini-sandwiches, but I served them on a tray that we could pass around.
A naked red velvet cake with heart toppers fits right in with the Valentine’s Day party theme.
A fruit charcuterie board is good for anyone who doesn’t want to eat too many sugary treats.
A traditional charcuterie board with meats and cheeses as well as fruits and vegetables would also work if you want to serve something more substantial.
You could also do something similar with a selection of candies and Valentine’s Day treats.
And of course, there were the decorated sugar cookies in the middle of the table that were part of the centerpiece.
Well, that’s it for my Valentine tea party ideas. I hope you found some inspiration for hosting your own get-together.
Other Valentine’s Day ideas you might like
- Hearts and roses Valentine tree
- Easy DIY Valentine Day wreath
- Pink, red and white Valentine tree
- The best Valentine’s Day cookie recipes
- 65+ Valentine dessert recipes
Or browse all our Valentine’s Day ideas.
Have comments or questions about our Valentine tea party? Tell us in the section below.
This post was originally published on January 26, 2023 but was updated with new content on January 21, 2024.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
About Me: I am an expert in event planning and hosting, including tea parties. I have extensive experience in organizing and hosting various types of gatherings, including themed tea parties. I have a deep understanding of the elements that make a successful tea party, from decorations and table settings to food and drink choices. My expertise is based on practical experience and a thorough knowledge of the traditions and customs associated with tea parties.
Valentine Tea Party Concepts:
Theme Selection
- Selecting a theme for a party can make the process of choosing decorations much easier. For a Valentine's Day tea party, themes such as hearts and flowers, Alice in Wonderland, vintage, or specific colors like pink, red, or teal can work well.
Table Setting
- The table setting for a Valentine's Day tea party can include a black or white tablecloth, layered pink and white dinnerware, and gold cutlery to create an elegant and cohesive look.
Tea Cups
- To create a charming and affordable tea party atmosphere, it's possible to mix and match tea cups and saucers, which can be found at thrift stores or affordable home goods stores. Look for cups with similar motifs, such as roses, to tie them together and align with the theme.
Centerpiece
- Creating a visually appealing centerpiece for the table can be achieved by using a black and white striped runner as the base, placing mismatched pink and white cake stands down the middle, and adding a garland of faux pink flowers. The cake stands can also serve as functional pieces for serving the tea pot and Valentine's cookies.
Other Decorations
- Additional decorations, such as small bouquets with white roses and baby's breath, along with candle lanterns and a chalkboard sign, can create a pretty backdrop for the table without being overly matchy-matchy.
Tea Selection
- Offering traditional caffeinated tea like Earl Grey and flavored herbal teas is a common practice at tea parties. It's important to decide in advance whether to serve tea in pots or provide hot water with a selection of tea bags for guests to choose from.
Other Drinks
- In addition to tea, serving wine, champagne, or themed co*cktails like strawberry mimosas can enhance the festive atmosphere of the tea party.
Food & Recipes
- While traditional afternoon tea typically includes mini sandwiches, scones, and tarts, for a Valentine's Day tea party, serving a slightly different menu, such as mini-sandwiches on a tray, a naked red velvet cake, a fruit charcuterie board, and decorated sugar cookies, can be a delightful choice.
By incorporating these concepts, you can create a charming and memorable Valentine's Day tea party for your friends. If you have any questions or need further inspiration, feel free to ask!
