Thursday, April 28, 2011

Ladies-in-Waiting Tea

SereniTea Wednesday was transformed into a Ladies-in-Waiting Tea to honor the upcoming Royal Wedding. Our guests received a printed menu that featured Wedding Herbs and their symbolism on the cover, a recommended tea list on the inside cover, and the menu for the day.


Windsor Castle Tea, Queen Catherine Tea (Kate will become the 6th Queen Catherine) and Chai Tea were our teas of choice. Chai was selected as it is the most popular beverage among Kenyans, and handsome William proposed to blushing Kate in Kenya.

Pear & Walnut Salad with

Parmesan Balsamic Dressing, Basil & Sweet Violets


Hot Artichoke and Marjoram Baguettes

Pimiento Cheese Royal Crowns

Sliced Turkey with Rosemary Biscuits

Cucumber with Herbed Butter


Kensington Palace Scones

Lavender Scones

Cream, Curd, Pineapple Sage Jelly

Orange Slices and Strawberries


Lady Di's Diamonds

Scottish Thistle Shortbread

Kate's Favorite Sticky Toffee Pudding


Much the way Kate's wedding cake is laden with symbolism using the Language of Flowers from the Victorian era, our menu also featured symbolism. Rosemary for remembrance, lavender for luck, basil signifies good wishes while sweet violets represent faithfulness. Kate's wedding cake will include the four flowers of the home nations, the English Rose (hope, prosperity and unity), the Welsh daffodil (chivalry and rebirth), the Scottish Thistle (bravery, courage, and loyalty) and the Irish Shamrock (unity and good luck). There will be 16 different blossoms that all have special meaning including the bridal rose for happiness, the acorn and oak symbolize strength and endurance, the lily of the valley for sweetness and humility, English Ivy for marriage, and of course Sweet Williams for perfection and gallantry. Although many of these plants and herbs are not edible, they are being made out of decorators icing and marzipan.

8 comments:

Linda Jennings said...

The Ladies in Waiting certainly received the royal treatment at this memorable tea!

GardenOfDaisies said...

What a beautiful tea. I am always in awe of the lovely events you hold and wish I lived near. Kate's wedding cake and flowers are sure to be amazing and trend setting.

Lady Linda said...

Oh how lovely and I adore the language of flowers. I wish I lived closer too. Very special.
Lady Linda

Angela McRae said...

How thoughtful this menu is! I love all the symbolism (and wish I'd thought of using it!). Thanks for the tip about the royal recipe book too ... that's going on my wish list. Harry will have to get married too one day ... !

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Very thoughtful as always, Nancy and I hear that lucky Judith Patton was one of the guests!

Donna and Miss Spenser said...

Simply beautiful!! Looks delicious too!!

Jem said...

Crikey - what a lovely way to celebrate the Royal Wedding! :-) There are quite a few wedding parties planned here in the UK for tomorrow but I bet they won't have treats as delicious as those look!

Happy Teacup Thursday!

Jem xXx

Steph said...

Wish I were there!