How to decorate a sweet high tea table with fresh flowers

This post has been kindly sponsored by Fresh Flowers.

There are certain occasions that call for a feminine decorating touch at the table. Maybe you’re throwing a bridal shower or getting the girls together for high tea. Perhaps there’s a special birthday you’d like to celebrate, or you just want to spoil your Mum.

It’s fun to think pink and layer in some pretty touches for a special occasion. And it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive.

To create this table setting, I started with a length of cheesecloth laid out as a simple table runner, with twine gathering each end. I love the softness of the fabric.

Next, I added flowers. Fresh flowers really bring something special to any occasion. I wanted to create a soft and pretty spring feel, so I chose flowers in pink, green and white – pink and green carnations, green bud chrysanthemums and pink and white roses.

I have to admit that I’m fussy about my flowers. While a bunch of assorted gerberas and baby’s breath from the supermarket will elicit sincere thanks from me (after all, it’s the thought that counts), secretly I long for a beautifully arranged bouquet that I can display in my home as a piece of art.

For the best decorating impact, look for single-flower arrangements, or flowers that are tastefully selected according to a specific, restrained colour palette. Fresh Flowers is an online florist that nails both of these. They deliver in Brisbane, other metropolitan and some regional areas Australia-wide.

With the flowers arranged in a simple round bouquet in a glass vase, I then cut a strip of hessian (burlap) and used double-sided tape to adhere it to the vase. This hid the stems and added a rustic, pretty touch.

I laid the table with dusty pink lace-edged linen place-mats – exactly the pretty, slightly vintage look I was after.

Next, the dinnerware. To capture a sweet and feminine feel, choose plates with scalloped edges or embossing. The look you’re going for is a little bit traditional and a little bit provincial. I love the soft cream colour of these plates, and the square shape adds a modern twist to a traditional style.

The butterfly napkin rings add an extra touch of feminine grace. These were a simple DIY project, made from air-dry clay on a wooden ring. You can see the easy tutorial here.

No high tea table would be complete without a pretty tea set. Fine quality tea sets are expensive, though – if you don’t have your own, why not ask around and see if you can borrow one for the occasion? Or perhaps you’re lucky enough to have a family heirloom tea set passed down from a previous generation. Time to put it to good use. There’s nothing like sipping a cup of tea from elegant fine bone china.

Let your guests know where to sit and make them feel special with a simple chalkboard place-marker displayed in a miniature glass milk bottle of water.

A sprig of flowers cut from a garden shrub adds homely elegance.

For a traditional high tea, serve elegant classics like melting moments and coconut jam drops. If you want to get a little bit fancy, macaroons, individually iced cupcakes and dainty sandwiches are perfect choices as well.

Now all that’s left to do is brew a pot of tea, sit back and enjoy!

A very big thank you to Fresh Flowers, supplier of beautiful flowers for special occasions, for sponsoring this post so I can bring some sweet prettiness to my readers!