Tea Cups and SaucersDo all of your tea cups and saucers have to match perfectly for a tea party?

Marie asked today: “I was just asked this past Sunday to host a tea party for the ladies at our church. I came across your website via Google and very glad I did! I have no experience whatsoever with tea parties and your tips are very helpful.

But what if I don’t have tea cups and saucers for 20 women? Would it be too tacky to have 20 different cups/saucer sets?”

Marie, not only is it NOT tacky, I highly recommend it!

Teacups are unique and add to the drama of the table when they are not all the same.  In fact, the tea party with matching teacups is usually only found at the formal hotel tea or with professional caterers of large parties that buy their stock in lots. This is usually the only way all the tea cups and saucers sets could be a matching set.

So – no – all of the tea cups and saucers do not have to match for a tea party. In fact, having a mix of different cups and saucers can add charm and personality to the occasion. Using different sets also allows you to accommodate a larger number of guests, even if you don’t have a complete set for everyone.

Conversation starter

Sometimes for events such as yours the guests are asked to bring a favorite teacup and share its history as in, “This was the one item my grandmother saved from her house fire that Grandpa didn’t make her sell during the Depression”, etc.

Take it one step further!

Now, if you are intent on a formal, or somewhat official occasion, I would be sure to make the cup and saucer match one another. In formal or ‘upmarket’ circumstances, it really is best to have the cup match its saucer. (Unless, perhaps, you’re a little girl inviting your stuffed animals to the very special event!)

However, there are occasions where mismatched cups and saucers can be a great conversation starter and can encourage guests to socialize and mingle with one another. In fact, it’s even possible to purchase (albeit coordinating) mismatched cups and saucers these days, such as these from Amazon:Teacups and Saucers

Ultimately, the most important thing is to have enough cups and saucers for all of your guests to enjoy their tea.

I’m so glad you found Tea Party Girl helpful!

Be sure to come back and share how your event went.

We love these beauties… for espresso

Tea cups and saucers

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