A kitchen tea is a pre-wedding event that originated in Australia and New Zealand. It is typically held two to three weeks before the wedding day, and it involves the bride-to-be and her close female friends and relatives.

The purpose of the event is to give the bride a chance to relax, be showered with practical domestic-style gifts, and have some fun before the big day. Here is everything you need to know about this unique pre-wedding tradition.

The History of the Kitchen Tea

The kitchen tea originated in Australia in the 1890s. At that time, weddings were very formal affairs, and they often involved several days of celebration. The kitchen tea was a smaller, more intimate event that was held in the days leading up to the wedding. It was originally intended for the bride's closest female friends and relatives, but it has since evolved into a larger event that includes other guests as well.

Today, kitchen teas are still commonly held in Australia and New Zealand, but they have also become popular in other parts of the world, such as South Africa, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In recent years, they have even started to gain popularity in the United States.

How to Hold a Kitchen Tea

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to planning a kitchen tea. However, there are a few things that are typically included in this type of event.

First, it is customary for the bride-to-be to wear white on her big day, so many women choose to wear white dresses or skirts at their kitchen teas.

Second, guests will usually bring gifts for the bride that relate to her kitchen or home life. These gifts can be anything from cookbooks and kitchen gadgets to towels and bedding sets.

Third, food and drink are usually served at the event, although this is not required.

When it comes to deciding who should be invited to a kitchen tea, there are no strict guidelines either. Many women choose to invite their closest female friends and relatives, but some also choose to include other guests such as male friends or co-workers.

Ultimately, it is up to the bride-to-be to decide who she wants to invite to her event.

Final Thoughts On Kitchen Tea

A Kitchen tea is a pre-wedding event that allows the bride-to-be to relax and have some fun with her close female friends before her big day. This unique tradition started in Australia in the 1890s, but it has since gained popularity all over the world.

If you're considering having a kitchen tea for your upcoming nuptials, be sure to include some traditional elements such as white attire for the bride and gifts relating to the bride and groom's future home life. And don't forget to invite your closest friends and relatives! Thanks for reading and CHEERS to one hell of a tea party!