Scrap the traditional muffins-and-scones-with-tea approach and use dip-friendly treats that bring out delightful flavors and moods. And remember to personalize the occasion by using china and tableware that reveal the bride’s favorite colors and shapes.
Materials Needed
- Cheese fondue pot
- Chocolate fondue pot
- Fondue forks
- 3 tasting cups per person (for coffee, tea and milk)
- 1 plate per person
- A selection of cookies, biscuits and breads for each dipping liquid or sauce
- Small bowls for nuts and other toppings
- 1 small washcloth per person to wipe fingers
- 1 small tray per person to place washcloth
Place the fondue pots in the center of the table with different platters encircling it. If there is not enough room to place everything, it’s not a bad idea to have the bridal shower tea party on the floor with mats in a round configuration. This can set a more intimate and leisurely ambiance.
Cheese Fondue Dippers
- Crusty bread cubes
- Bread sticks
- Apple wedges
- Grapes
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Asparagus
- Baby mushrooms
- Zucchini cubes
- Cucumber slices (thick)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Carrots
- Sausage cubes
- Meatballs
- Chicken bits
- Potato cubes
Chocolate Fondue Dippers
- Strawberries
- Banana slices
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Kumquats
- Kiwi cubes (firm)
- Cherries
- Coconut chunks
- Bread sticks
- Pretzel rods
- Pear slices
- Pineapple bits
- Marshmallows
- Pound cake cubes
- Angel cake cubes
- Banana bread cubes
- Brownie cubes
- Rice crispy cubes
- Chewy fruit snacks
- Red licorice bites
- Dried fruits
*On the side, prepare mini bowls of shredded coconuts, roasted almond bits and crushed peanuts as options to sprinkle on top.
Dipping Etiquette
Double dipping in a communal fondue pot is considered rude and is susceptible to germs so it should be avoided, even when the bridal shower tea party is with a group of close girlfriends.
Tea Dippers
- Peppermint Herbal Tea + Dark chocolate coated biscuits and Milano cookies
- English Breakfast Tea + Sugar cookies, almond cookies, shortbread cookies and plain biscuits
- Green Tea + Lemon cookies with vanilla cream filling, lemon bars, jelly filled shortbread cookies and plain biscuits
- Chai Tea + Gingerbread cookies, snickerdoodle cookies and plain biscuits
- Earl Grey Tea + Sugar cookies and shortbread cookies
- Chamomile Tea + Chocolate coated and plain biscuits
Black Coffee Dippers
- Milano chocolate or mint cookies
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Twix candy bar
- Almond, chocolate and vanilla Biscotti
Sweetened Coffee Dippers
- White toast
- Raisin walnut bread
- Cigar wafer rolls
- Plain tea biscuits
Milk Dippers
- Graham crackers
- Peanut butter cookies
- Crunchy chocolate chip cookies
- Oreo cookies
- Nilla wafers
- Cookies with cream filling
Remember to organize and separate food plates by its drink or sauce pairing. Platters can also be set on a side buffet table so that the eating table has more space and looks neater. Soft background music is also a good mood-setting idea. Choose a song playlist that matches the theme, and finally a successful bridal shower tea party is well on its way.
Further Reading
- Creative Bridal Shower Themes
- Traditional Bridal Shower Tea Party by Country Living magazine
