Tea bar: everything you need for a modern and fun event

In addition to all the organization, the pre-wedding period includes, most of the time, a preparatory event for the big day. Nowadays, the most used is undoubtedly the tea bar, which brings together friends of the couple in a more relaxed way.

For the ceremonialist Malise Kroth, the tea bar is a modernization and association of the bachelor party and the bridal shower. It is the combination of the useful and the pleasant.

Although it doesn’t need to be very formal, the tea bar requires planning and is usually organized by the bride and groom themselves, perhaps with the help of close family members, godparents and the ceremony (which will also take care of the wedding). Learn more about the particularities of this type of event, what to consider when organizing it and inspirations for a really special tea bar.

History and particularities of the tea bar

Currently, the tea bar is the most used option by the bride and groom, especially because it does not separate men and women and brings together all the couple’s friends at once. But it was not always so….

The ceremonialist Malise comments that, some time ago, the bridesmaids acted as advisors, organizing the wedding and, also, in a simple way, the traditional bridal shower (or bridal shower) – which, in turn, came to replace the habit of manually making the trousseau for the bride, with beautiful embroidery. “With the evolution and social maturation of women during the 20th century, with the existence of department stores that had everything ready, this peculiarly feminine habit was lost and the kitchen tea took shape. It was still very much geared towards women, where the bride was given kitchen accessories and other household information,” she says.

But, highlights Malise, the bridal shower has evolved, gaining other names, games and animations. “Gradually, with the more active participation of the groom in the organization of the wedding, already in the 1990s, and also with a decreasing custom of holding the traditional ‘bachelor party’ of the groom, these traditions exclusively made for women were getting a new format. It was then that someone had the happy idea of ​​having a ‘tea bar’, bringing together men and women at the same event”, she says.

The specialist comments that, over time, the tea bar became a true bachelor party for both (the bride and groom) and a lively meeting between friends.

What to consider when organizing the tea bar

It doesn’t matter if the tea bar will be formal or a more relaxed meeting, you need to get organized. “To organize the tea bar, as well as other events, it is important to initially determine what you intend to do, for how many people, think about the budget, in short, first discover your profile”, highlights Malise.

The ceremonial also explains that the tea bar is a social meeting with multiple characteristics and must be well planned, but that “without taking your breath away or extrapolating the wedding budget”.

Check out the main points that should be taken into account when organizing a tea bar:

• Choosing a location: Malise explains that choosing a location is important. “Ideally, it should be comfortable to welcome guests and as relaxed as possible,” she says. Most couples choose to have a tea bar at one of their parents’ house or on a farm, for example.
• The guest list: the ceremonial reminds us that the guest list is a key part of any event. “So it’s something the couple will need to consider very carefully. The tea bar is a small event with intimate features. Usually the invitations are focused on the godparents, closest friends, closest family members, more excited people, in short, it shouldn’t be a large group. This criterion will always be the couple’s, but there is no need to invite all the people you will invite to the wedding. It is not recommended to invite someone to ‘don’t get boring’. The moment calls for relaxation and the guest list makes it favorable or not”, she highlights.
• The budget: It’s a fact, marriage already generates a lot of expenses. Therefore, when the bride and groom choose to have a tea bar, they must be realistic and, before anything else, they must sit down and evaluate the available budget. “As part of the wedding, this tradition must be calculated in advance, because you will need to serve food and drinks, according to the time and the proposal of the theme of this event that, even being small, generates expenses”, says Malise.
• Food, drinks and attractions: an essential step is to think about what will be served at the tea bar, whether or not the event will have a theme and whether there will be any kind of attraction (such as a musical performance). The time of the event is decisive for the menu decision.
• The date: according to Malise, the tea bar should preferably be made three to four months before the wedding, for several reasons… “The bride and groom will have time to evaluate what they won, list what they will need to buy and even what they can buy include in the list of gifts for the wedding; they will also avoid unnecessary rush and stress with the approach of the event. But that doesn’t mean that the tea bar can’t be done closer to the wedding. The definition is a personal matter, according to the reality of each couple”, she explains.

Malise points out that some couples do not intend to have a tea bar, but the adhesion often happens due to the encouragement of the godparents, who take the initiative and help to organize everything. Anyway, it is certain that the tea bar will generate great moments between the bride and groom and their friends!

tea bar gift list

The truth is, there are no rules. The gift list will vary according to the couple’s wishes. But, most choose to order household items. It is worth noting the common sense of not asking for very expensive gifts on the tea bar list, remembering that most guests will also give a wedding gift.

“A balance of needs must be made, but it is essential to separate what is a gift for a tea bar and what is a gift for a wedding. In the first case, what prevails are small items of daily utility (which are also very important). If you don’t know where to start this list of gifts, a tip is to evaluate each room and think about what could be useful in each situation”, explains Malise.

Many stores today offer gift list service for tea bar. In this case, they already have ready lists and, if they get repeated gifts, the bride and groom can exchange them. In these cases, it is essential to mention in the invitation which store the gift list is in so that most of the guests buy there.

Malise cites examples of products that are usually part of the tea bar’s gift list:

• Wooden and/or silicone spoons
• Strainer
• jars with lid
• Tray
• noodle roll
• shells
• spatulas
• can opener
• Knife sharpener
• thermos
• sink trash can
• Sink squeegee
• floor trash can
• Squeegee
• Broom
• Scissors
• snack bar
• dish towels
• Cleaning cloths
• Corkscrew
• buckets
• ice catcher
• clothespins

These are just a few suggestions, as it all depends on the needs of each couple. “Above all, the newlyweds must think about what will be really useful and necessary in the new house, do a sorting, separating the most important products”, says Malise.

It is worth remembering that there are couples who already live together and do not feel the need to order these household products. In this case, they can choose to ask for another type of gift, such as drinks to integrate “the house bar”, a small cash help for the honeymoon, among other ideas.

A caution if the bride and groom choose to ask for money instead of gifts is to do it very subtly, leaving guests free to contribute as much as they can. A tip is to put a piggy-shaped safe at the event and, thus, each guest contributes as much value as they can.

tea bar menu

The first step is to define what the tea bar will be like. The event can have a theme and, therefore, the food and drinks must be in accordance with it. In a tea bar in June, for example, you can serve hot dogs, couscous, paçoquinha… As the name suggests, the tea bar can follow the pub/bar theme, with foods like pepperoni, fries, crackling, among others. snacks.

It is also essential to keep in mind what time the tea bar will be in order to define the menu. If the event is intended to be more formal, the ideal is to hire a buffet for lunch, dinner or even finger foods.

Hiring a barbecue buffet or a barbecue grill is also a valid idea, especially for couples looking for an informal tea bar.

The budget is a key point in this regard. If “the money is short”, for example, it is valid to think of something much more informal, with the bride and groom and close family members preparing the food for the event, or even having a tea bar in a “community event” format, where asks guests to bring what they want to drink.

tea bar decoration

It is true that most couples take the opportunity to make a tea bar with the “bar” theme, inserting elements linked to a pub in an elegant way into the decor. But this is by no means a rule!

Malise highlights that creativity is what will make a difference in this matter. There’s no rules. If the couple decides on a themed tea, great, the decoration will follow this line; however, if you don’t define a theme, just bet on the colors and elements you like best.

“It is not necessary a big investment in decoration, nor a lot of apparatus, but who doesn’t like to receive well and especially in a differentiated way, right? So you have to think about everything with affection, but without exaggeration. Define the most appropriate style, the menu, the drinks and everything always according to the time and characteristics of the event”, says the ceremonial.

For Malise, it is interesting to use more relaxed elements in the decoration, such as sofas, pillows, chairs and to use this space even for playing games. “Choose a corner for gifts, a table, a basket or a trunk. Think of all the details possible, but remember that it’s a more relaxed moment, and the simpler, the better. The important thing is that this day is special and will be missed”, she emphasizes.

16 photos to inspire your tea bar decor

Are you looking for ideas for your tea bar?! Get inspired by the images below:

Customized frames can make a difference in decoration

Bar-related elements often complement the decor.

The party can have a rustic style

Photos of the couple personalize the environment

Decor can be simple but elegant

May be inspired by a particular drink

have a romantic touch

Or just be happy

There is nothing more charming than a completely personalized decoration.

The whim and creativity can be in every detail

The decor can include curiosities about the couple

Decor doesn’t necessarily have to contain bar-related elements

Classic decor is a great bet for a tea bar at home

Decor can be based on the couple’s hobbies

The tea bar can have the colors you most…