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How to Host a Cottagecore-Inspired Tea Party

Updated: May 6

There’s something beautifully nostalgic about gathering loved ones for tea in a garden filled with sunshine, flowers, and the scent of freshly baked goods. If you’re a fan of the cottagecore aesthetic - all things cosy, nature-filled, and softly romantic - hosting a tea party is a lovely way to bring it to life.


Whether planning a birthday, a spring celebration, or simply a Sunday afternoon with friends, here’s how to create your cottagecore-inspired tea party, complete with loose leaf tea, vintage china, and a touch of magic.


🍃 1. Set the Scene

The setting is everything. Cottagecore is rooted in simplicity and nature, so whether you’re outdoors or indoors, aim for a calm, rustic atmosphere.

Ideas to try:

  • A garden table under a tree, decorated with linen and wildflowers

  • A blanket picnic in a field or park, with cushions and a low table

  • Indoors? Bring nature in with ivy garlands, dried flowers, and soft candlelight

Vintage crockery, handwritten place cards, and second-hand treasures add to the charm - this is not the time for perfection, but for personal touches.


🫖 2. Choose Loose Leaf Tea That Feels Special

Nothing sets the tone like a properly brewed pot of tea. Loose leaf tea doesn’t just taste better - it looks beautiful, smells divine, and feels like a treat.

For a cottagecore tea party, choose blends that reflect the season and the setting:

  • Light floral or herbal teas for spring and summer

  • Cosy spiced blends or smoky blacks for autumn

  • Something whimsical or nostalgic - think elderflower, vanilla, berries, or cake-inspired blends

Bard’s Brews blends, like those from our Spring Cottage or Regency Tea Party collections, are designed with stories in mind - perfect for adding a touch of fantasy to your gathering.

Don’t forget to serve in glass or floral-patterned teapots so the colours and textures can shine.


🍰 3. Serve Homemade (or Homemade-Looking) Treats

Cottagecore is all about slow, seasonal living - and that extends to your bakes. You don’t need a towering cake to impress. Instead, go for comforting, rustic treats that invite second helpings.

Some crowd-pleasing ideas:

  • Victoria sponge cake with jam and whipped cream

  • Lemon drizzle loaf or elderflower shortbread

  • Scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam

  • Fresh berries, foraged fruits, or homemade preserves

Present them on mismatched plates or cake stands for a casual, cosy feel.


🌸 4. Add Whimsical Touches

Little details can make the whole experience feel special. Even simple additions can create that dreamy, romantic atmosphere:

  • Tie napkins with twine and a sprig of rosemary or lavender

  • Scatter flower petals across the table

  • Use vintage books or candlesticks as centrepieces

  • Hang fairy lights or paper garlands in the trees or above your table

You could even offer guests pressed flower bookmarks, handwritten menus, or tea samples to take home.


🎻 5. Create a Soft, Slow Atmosphere

It’s not just about how things look - it’s about how they feel. Cottagecore is rooted in slowness, nostalgia, and connection.

Let your guests linger. Serve second pots of tea. Tell stories. Play gentle acoustic music or old folk tunes in the background. Encourage guests to dress up in soft florals, linen, or vintage-inspired outfits - not for formality, but for fun.


💫 A Tea Party to Remember

Hosting a cottagecore-inspired tea party is really about creating a moment - a pause in the rush of things. With a little thought and a few beautiful touches, you can turn an ordinary afternoon into something quietly magical.

If you’re looking for loose leaf tea to bring it all together, have a browse through our blends at Bard’s Brews. Every tea we make is inspired by stories, gardens, and the sort of joy you find in a good book or a sunlit walk.

 
 
 

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