My Bridal Tea in April: Traditional English and Shabby Chic

   This is a very belated post.  I hate that word because I have been using it entirely too often lately.  Finally found all my completed wedding thank you's that had been misplaced in tornado/move and got them sent out today. " Belated Thank You!" Martha Stewart would be ashamed of me.  Happy Belated Birthday seems the most tame form of using it.   A few Christmas cards didn't get mailed, but a Merry Belated Christmas isn't effective.... must do better next year. Maybe my New Year's resolution should be not to create situations where I have to use the word "belated." 

This post is all about the classic English tea that was thrown for me the day before my wedding.

April 22, 2011 I was given a beautiful Bridal Tea hosted by my mother's best friend and my aunt. 

Knowing that someone loves you enough to break out their best china that will all have to be washed by hand I think is a great indicator of true love! Slaving away for hours to create perfectly matching tea party fare is also equally as proving of true love.  I am a very lucky girl to have such people in my life.

The table looked gorgeous! I loved her silver centerpiece.

Picture of me playing bride dress-up when I was 6. I was VERY into dress-up.

Part of the decoration on this table: Paperweight I got off Etsy.com

Inside the gold and glass rim there is a metal word art that says Fred & Anna

Back Side of Paperweight

Me and my Bic-Bic, Stephie and Merby

The stunning antique M monogram silver covered vegetable dish they gave me.

My Bridesmaids : Maiben, Anna, Stephanie, Me, Becca, Alex, and Mary Elizabeth

I love my girls!

Recipes will be and posted for the cookies, the apricot bites, and the espresso beef soon in a separate post.

Sugar Cookies with a Lavender and Lemon peel Glaze

Love the center tray! My old Madame Alexander Bride sitting on top of all the delicious petit fours.

Me and My Aunt Dana Bug

Southern Cheese Straws

White Chocolate Roses

Smoked Salmon Skewers with Red Onion Cream Cheese

Tomato Cups filled with Chicken Salad

This pictures is a bit fuzzy, but these were wonderful.  They are espresso encrusted fillet of beef bites with a horseradish thyme sauce on toasted rounds of bread.

Goat cheese apricot bites with a rosemary walnuts

Pimento and Cheese

Cucumber sandwiches

So delicious and pretty!