Best Western Plus Kenwood Hall Hotel

Afternoon tea is one of our nation’s favourite past times. Incorporating this very British tradition into your wedding is the perfect way to ensure your big day has a relaxed but elegant feel. Whether it’s a small intimate affair, a celebration of all things vintage or you want to offer your guests a quirky food option, afternoon tea is one of the most romantic ways to enjoy a wedding reception.

There’s the classic afternoon tea where the traditional afternoon tea menu is served. The tea has to be either Earl Grey, English Breakfast, peppermint or chamomile – or serve a selection of them. Sandwiches should include traditional roast beef and mustard, with egg and cress, cucumber and ham, alongside cream cakes and scones with jam and cream. For an added treat, serve champagne or prosecco as part of the meal along with Bucks Fizz or Peach Bellini. To complete the look, pair this up with beautiful linen table cloths, a matching china tea service as well as beautiful traditional English flowers and music playing from a gramophone! Best Western Plus Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa - Afternoon Tea Delight

For our new afternoon tea wedding – we opted for an al fresco feel. Think summer garden party! On arrival your Prosecco and canapes reception can be served on the glorious garden terrace, which overlooks 12 acres of breath-taking parkland and the Hotel’s own private lake. Less formal than a traditional wedding breakfast, but still giving a real sense of celebration and occasion, you will enjoy an afternoon tea with your guests and a glass of Prosecco for your toast. Add a string quartet or contemporary barber shop trio, some traditional garden games (croquet anyone??) – and you have a very special wedding event.

Afternoon tea is versatile. Try a Savoury Tea. Include hot food such as miniature cones of fish and chips, bite-sized burger sliders, miniature filled Yorkshire Pudding, Scotch egg and sausage rolls. Add a rich fruit cake with crumbly cheese – divine!

Remember the children! Try including cupcakes, jelly served in little shot glasses, gingerbread men, mini-doughnuts with fruit dips, Best Western Plus Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa - Afternoon Tea Delight small cones of popcorn, mini ice-cream cones, veggie sticks and lots of jam sandwiches!! Not forgetting the rise in popularity of vegetarian and vegan food. Think about serving sandwiches alongside scones with jam and soya cream, vegan carrot cake and chocolate cake squares, prosecco and strawberry jelly shots, and vegan coconut macaroons.

Themed afternoon teas are great fun too. Chinese dishes lend themselves easily to the menu - bao buns and jasmine tea are sure fire winners. You can always go Stateside - with burgers, mac n’ cheese, pancakes, meatball sliders and Frappuccinos all round. If you want a more contemporary take, include delicate macaroons that match your colour theme.Very stylish.