Afternoon tea as a hosted event needs tiered cake stands, china, linen and the right table setup. This guide covers quantities and formats for events of 20 to 100 guests.
Afternoon tea as a hosted event needs tiered cake stands, china, linen and the right table setup. This guide covers quantities and formats for events of 20 to 100 guests.
Afternoon tea as a hosted event, whether for a corporate group, a wedding guest list, or a private birthday party, requires a specific set of tableware and furniture that many caterers and venues do not carry in-house. This guide covers what to hire and how to plan quantities.
\n\nThe table format for afternoon tea depends on the number of guests and the formality of the occasion. Small round tables seating 4 to 6 work well for an intimate setup. They allow guests to reach the tiered stand in the centre and talk without raising their voices across a long table.
\nFor larger groups, or a more relaxed format, rectangular tables with chairs on both sides are easier to configure in a marquee or function room. Chiavari chairs or banqueting chairs give afternoon tea a smarter look than folding chairs and are worth the small additional cost for a formal occasion.
\n\nTiered cake stands are the defining piece of tableware for afternoon tea. Expo Hire stocks 3-tier cake stands in quantities suited to events of all sizes.
\nAllow one stand per 4 guests as a baseline for a formal afternoon tea where finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries are all presented together on the stand. For a more relaxed format where food is replenished from a central serving table, stands are needed only at the guest tables, not at the service station.
\n\nAfternoon tea china requires teacups, saucers, and side plates as a minimum. For a 3-course format covering sandwiches, scones, and pastries, add dessert plates. For 40 guests:
\nExpo Hire's crockery range covers the full set for events of this size.
\n\nWhite linen tablecloths are standard for afternoon tea. For round tables, fitted cloths that drop to just above floor level look considerably tidier than loose-draped cloths. Napkins should match in white cotton or polyester, folded simply. Per table seating 4: one tablecloth and 4 to 5 napkins.
\n\nFor a hosted afternoon tea where tea is made in bulk rather than brewed per pot at the table, the most practical approach is a 30-litre urn producing hot water for the entire service, with teapots at each table refilled by staff or self-served by guests.
\nA tea service for 40 guests works well with one 30-litre urn and one teapot per table. Eight to 10 teapots covers a layout of 8 to 10 tables of 4. For urns and serving equipment, see Expo Hire's catering equipment range.
\n\nThe equipment requirements are similar, but the scale and tone differ. A wedding afternoon tea for 100 guests with a prosecco reception before it needs 100 teacups and saucers, 100 side plates, 100 dessert plates, 25 tiered cake stands, and 120 champagne flutes for the welcome drink.
\nCorporate afternoon teas are often simpler in format. Delegates sit at rectangular tables where the afternoon tea is the catering element of a working session rather than the event itself. The china and stands still matter, but the occasion calls for less ceremony than a wedding.
\n\nCheck delivery charges for your postcode when finalising your order.
See also: christening reception hire guide and barn wedding hire guide.
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