"If you'd like to hold an afternoon tea at your home, keep it simple," David advises. "Small, bite-sized sandwiches and cakes are a given, as is a pot of fresh-brewed tea, but after that, it's all up to you."
For the afternoon tea that will be held at Royal Court Parkland Estates on June 20, Wendy plans to feature rhubarb punch and tea with milk, lemon or sugar cubes.
"And, of course, tiny sandwiches," she says. "We'll be serving coin-sized asparagus rolls; green cherry, red cherry and crushed pineapple cream cheese sandwiches; egg salad sandwiches, turkey salad sandwiches; petit fours; delicate shortbread cookies with icing flowers and chocolate-covered strawberries."
Whatever the menu, though, it is important that it be prepared ahead of time. Old-fashioned tea etiquette dictates that a hostess should not be stuck in the kitchen during her afternoon tea, but should mingle with her guests.
"Etiquette also dictated that all of the necessary items for a tea be assembled before the tea began," Wendy adds, "so that the ladies and gentlemen in attendance would not have to want for anything."
Of primary importance on the list of items necessary for holding a tea is, of course, a teapot. Either a china or silver teapot is acceptable, but beware, a china teapot is for more intimate teas, and a silver teapot is for more formal teas.
Also necessary at an afternoon tea are cups, saucers, teaspoons, a sugar bowl and sugar tongs (since sugar should always be served cubed, not loose), a tea strainer, a lemon dish, forks (if serving cakes) and knives (if jam or clotted cream will be eaten on scones). As well, each jam or cream dish must have its own serving spoon. A matching set of china is not so important, however.
"Sometimes, invitations to a Victorian tea instructed the guests to bring their own teacups, wrapped up in special boxes," says Wendy. "Other times, the invitations asked them to bring a cake, or wear a special hat."
Once the guests had arrived at a Victorian tea, the etiquette varied.
"On the part of the guests, it was important that they held their teacups properly," Wendy adds, noting that the proper way to hold a teacup is to slip your index finger, up almost to the first knuckle, through the handle and then secure the cup by placing your thumb on the top of the handle and allowing the bottom of the handle to rest on your middle finger. "Contrary to popular belief, the ring and pinkie fingers should not be extended, but should rest by curving gently back toward your wrist. To extend one's pinkie was an indication of arrogance."
But some aspects of tea etiquette has changed over the years, Wendy notes.
"The Edwardian gentleman may have found it was acceptable to pour his hot tea into his saucer to cook it before drinking, it is obviously not acceptable to do so now," says Wendy. "In fact, it would be considered quite rude!"
The teacups and saucers used at the Victorian-style tea party at Royal Court Parkland Estates will be delicate cream-coloured china, trimmed in gold, rented from Lloyd's of Moncton.
"We have a number of items available for people to rent if they are thinking of having an afternoon tea," says Brenda MacAulay, manager at the store. "It can be as elaborate or as simple as the individual wants."
In addition to cups and saucers, Lloyd's also rents out small tables and chairs, lace table skirts, benches, canopies, screens, wicker walls and chairs, silver tea services, and even bustled Victorian-style dresses festooned with lace.
"The Victorian-style dresses and parasols are nice if a group wants to get together and stage a Victorian-style tea," explains Brenda.
And organizing an afternoon tea around a certain theme can make the occasion memorable, David adds.
"Having a theme for an afternoon tea can add a sense of fun to the gathering," he says. "Last year, for example, lots of people held Jubilee teas in honour of Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee."
Darlene Dobson was involved in the organization of just such a tea. A member of the Shepody Chapter of the I.O.D.E., Darlene remembers the afternoon as one of fun and relaxation.
"We served small, dainty cherry and cheese, and asparagus, sandwiches, and, of course, shortbread cookies," she says. "No afternoon tea would be complete without shortbread cookies. We borrowed a variety of cups and saucers, dressed up in our summer best and enjoyed an afternoon filled with music, games and conversation."
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