Alice in Wonderland
When it comes to trends, there is a direct correlation between the film industry and popular culture; as movies become box office smash hits, their themes are woven through other aspects of modern living. Perhaps the best example of this was the sensational 2013 re-make of The Great Gatbsy, after which 1920s art deco style took the world by storm, influencing everything from fashion to party planning. But when it comes to themes, how do you stop your classy party turning into a tacky disaster?
To mark today’s release of Alice Through the Looking Glass, we bring you some simple but effective styling tips for creating and hosting an elegant Alice-themed tea party.
It’s a theme which invites curiosity and sparks imagination – but where imagination is concerned, it’s all too easy to get carried away. Our best advice is to pick your favourite aspects of Alice in Wonderland, and balance them out with simplicity, to achieve a timeless, classic effect.
There’s no obligation to host a Mad Hatter-inspired tea party in the garden, but if you do choose the al fresco route, careful use of good quality props will help you create the alluring effect of a secret garden.
Choose wisely and limit yourself to a couple of key features for maximum visual impact.
It’s important to remember that successful theming throughout your design and styling doesn't mean going overboard. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed by mood boards, try cutting out at least 30% of your ideas. Less is definitely more, and often a hint or suggestion of the theme is more impressive than visual overkill.
Not everything you serve must adhere to the theme, but you can’t go wrong with jam tarts and elegant cups and saucers.
Nobody said you have to serve tea… Turning the occasion into a cocktail party and serving your drinks from “Drink Me” glass bottles or teapots is an instant crowd-pleaser, and gives you the chance to play around with imagery and typography for the labels.
Once your larger items are finalised, select smaller accessories such as ticking clocks, garlands of playing cards, vintage books and flamingo croquet sets to fill any gaps in your Alice-inspired styling.
