The butterfly is a flying flower,
The flower a tethered butterfly.
~Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun
The flower a tethered butterfly.
~Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun
The Setting:
Whether you are young in years or young at heart, few places are nicer for whiling away the afternoon than a Butterfly Garden. Any excuse to linger there is a pleasant one and I can't think of a lovelier venue for hosting a light Afternoon Tea in late spring or summer. An Outdoor Tea Party is also a delightful and affordable way to treat your guests to something special. (It usually means less housecleaning before the guests arrive too, which makes every modern girl happy.)
If you're blessed to have a butterfly garden near your home at a zoo, botanical garden, or local park, serving tea among the fluttering wings could be very doable. (But be sure to get permission before showing up with tea cups & guests in tow.) If not, I suggest hosting tea at the home of a friend whose garden features butterfly-friendly plants or, if you have plenty of time to plan, consider planting some butterfly-attractors in your own garden and set a table there.
The Tablescape:
If having tea in an actual Butterfly Garden is not a realistic option, or if the rain drives you indoors, a few artificial butterflies wrapped round the middle with floral wire and tucked into your tablescape will add a fluttering (and budget-friendly) nod to the delightful flyer. You'll also find inexpensive butterfly partyware & hors d'oeuvres picks at most party stores. Tuck them into napkin rings. Or fasten a paper butterfly to a silk flower with floral wire and set under a cloche for a fresh, just-caught feel. Don't forget to mix fresh flowers into your tablescape too.
Butterfly-patterned cups & saucers are another great way to delight your guests and draw your theme throughout the Tea. I picked up these Classico Butterfly Tea Cups (set of six) at an antique mall some years ago for $25. Something similar would also work well with a botanical or horticultural theme.
Having a few non-matching butterfly cup & saucer sets is also adorable. Or, skip the cups all together this time and pull out your best glasses for iced tea!
Another great, reusable way to get the butterfly look on your table is to pair butterfly salad/dessert plates or floral bowls with your existing solid or lightly-patterned dishes. (This is one of my favorite ways to change up a tablesetting cheaply while reducing the storage space required for a new set of dishes. Sharing or swapping themed salad plates & bowls with friends can also keep things fresh and reduce the cost.)
The Menu:
What does one serve at a Butterfly Tea? My rule of thumb for summer tea menus is they should feature light and delicate fare. Also whatever the season, a good tea menu will delight your guests while encouraging them to expand their culinary horizons by trying new things.
A Butterfly Tea is a great way to entertain both kids and adults. For kids, swap out some of the more sophisticated dishes for mini butterfly-shaped PB&J tea sandwiches & stuffed celery bites. Or come up with a menu all your own. Whatever you choose, pairing butterflies with tea can't help but make for a wonderful afternoon.
The Tablescape:
If having tea in an actual Butterfly Garden is not a realistic option, or if the rain drives you indoors, a few artificial butterflies wrapped round the middle with floral wire and tucked into your tablescape will add a fluttering (and budget-friendly) nod to the delightful flyer. You'll also find inexpensive butterfly partyware & hors d'oeuvres picks at most party stores. Tuck them into napkin rings. Or fasten a paper butterfly to a silk flower with floral wire and set under a cloche for a fresh, just-caught feel. Don't forget to mix fresh flowers into your tablescape too.
Butterfly-patterned cups & saucers are another great way to delight your guests and draw your theme throughout the Tea. I picked up these Classico Butterfly Tea Cups (set of six) at an antique mall some years ago for $25. Something similar would also work well with a botanical or horticultural theme.
Having a few non-matching butterfly cup & saucer sets is also adorable. Or, skip the cups all together this time and pull out your best glasses for iced tea!
Another great, reusable way to get the butterfly look on your table is to pair butterfly salad/dessert plates or floral bowls with your existing solid or lightly-patterned dishes. (This is one of my favorite ways to change up a tablesetting cheaply while reducing the storage space required for a new set of dishes. Sharing or swapping themed salad plates & bowls with friends can also keep things fresh and reduce the cost.)
What does one serve at a Butterfly Tea? My rule of thumb for summer tea menus is they should feature light and delicate fare. Also whatever the season, a good tea menu will delight your guests while encouraging them to expand their culinary horizons by trying new things.
Whipped Butter & Dandelion Jam
- Start with a sweet scone featuring your favorite summer fruit (perhaps cut-out in the shape of a butterfly?). This sets the tone for your tea. Pair the scone with whipped butter and an unexpected spread like Dandelion Jelly or Rose Petal Jam to emphasize both airiness and the garden connection.
- Every tea course should compliment your theme and offer a variety of palate-tempting, seasonally-appropriate flavors. Each dish in the suggested menu above reflects both a sense of summer freshness and a homemade wholesomeness straight from the garden.
- Also keep in mind, most guests appreciate bite-size finger food portions at tea parties. Any way you can reduce messiness and simplify the amount of dishes, silverware & cups they have to maneuver will be much appreciated.
- If you opt to serve tea sandwiches in place of the quiche, consider incorporating your theme into the menu by cutting the bread in coordinating shapes--flowers, butterflies, etc.
- Cupcakes topped with edible butterfly or caterpillar decorations would also be a hoot. But be selective in how many ways you introduce your tea theme into the menu--clever can quickly become overdone if you're not careful.
A Butterfly Tea is a great way to entertain both kids and adults. For kids, swap out some of the more sophisticated dishes for mini butterfly-shaped PB&J tea sandwiches & stuffed celery bites. Or come up with a menu all your own. Whatever you choose, pairing butterflies with tea can't help but make for a wonderful afternoon.
We are but small butterflies in the garden of life. -Carston D. Roach
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