What time is tea time?

[beachbunny]

I'm throwing a wedding shower for my sister and have decided on a formal tea at one of the grand old hotels. My sister is very excited about it and so is her future MIL. So what time should we have it? My mother and grandmother who have been against the tea idea from the very start (they think I should spring for a full lunch at a cheaper restaurant) want to do it at lunch time so that our guests won't need to "eat first." (By the way, I'm paying for the whole thing.) I'm inclined to schedule it for 2:30 p.m. OR do you think a late lunch hour won't look strange?

 

[Lynn CC]

When my DM and older sister and I go to a scheduled tea it's always at 1:30. By the time everyone gets there and chats a little while and are seated it will be around 2:30 before it actually begins. This way people won't be getting over-hungry, say if you put 2:30 on the invitation.... That will lead into a 3:30 tea.

It all depends on what time you actually want the tea to start.
I'd put an hour before on the actual invitations.
Sounds like fun! Enjoy

 

[suzannen]

Have you checked with the hotels and what time they serve. A majority up here don't begin serving tea until 3:30 pm.

I think it's a great idea regardless of whether you start at 1:30, 2:30 or later!

 

[luvdisney81]

I love the idea, just had tea at the GF. It runs 4-6:30, little late in my opinion.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

OOO!!! I am doing this too for SIL!!

Can we share ideas?

I am doing the tea around 2:30. And on the invitations I am asking that everyone please wear a fancy hat! SIL LOVES this! The crowd is mostly older than SIL and I (late 30's and up.) She also wants them to wear springy type dresses. But I don't know how I can word that on an invite! LOL!