A Bridesmaids Tea for Madison!

 

My oldest niece, Madison (center), is getting married in December, and I offered to host the bridesmaids tea. I told her I could either do it myself or we could go to a tearoom, and when I offered her the option of the Swan Coach House in Atlanta, that's what she chose. And I'm so glad, because that's also where I hosted a bridesmaids luncheon for her mom, my sister, Rhonda, thirty years ago!

See that glass-enclosed room on the second floor? That's where we had tea, a private room called Sally's Porch. If you're in the area, you probably already know the history of the place, but for those of you who aren't: the Swan Coach House is located on the grounds of the Atlanta History Center near the historic Swan House mansion. The house was owned by the Inmans, a prominent Atlanta family who helped rebuild the town following the Civil War. And Emily Inman loved swans, so when you visit the Swan House (well worth a visit), you'll see swan motifs throughout the house. And while I haven't seen these movies, I understand the Swan House has been featured in the Hunger Games movies. The Swan Coach House was, as you might guess, originally the carriage house.

On Saturday, this old carriage house was the site of our tea.

I loved all the pretty vintage teacups. 

After I booked the tea, I received a menu of selections and was asked to choose four savories and three desserts, so I tried to select a wide array of things since I had no idea what these bridesmaids might like. The good thing was that Madison told me not one of them had any food allergies I needed to worry about. (Hurrah!)

All the teas come with a first course consisting of a Cheese Ring with Strawberry Preserves and Crackers, Scones and Lemon Curd, and Cheese Straws. The Cheese Ring was a real hit with Amelia, my youngest niece.

For the savories, I chose  Chicken Salad in Phyllo Cups, Spanakopita (my favorite), Mini Quiches, and Assorted Finger Sandwiches (to include cucumber, which is Madison's favorite, and they obliged).

For the desserts, I chose Key Lime Tarts (a real hit), Chocolate Toffee Pecan Bars, and of course Miniature French Silk Swans. If you eat lunch here during the week, you pretty much have to get a regular French Silk Swan, which consists of a meringue base filled with chocolate mousse and topped with Chantilly cream and almonds, all in the shape of a swan. I liked having the mini one even better since I didn't have to commit to just one thing for dessert!

In addition to the bridesmaids, mothers of the bride and groom, and me, Aunt Jane was attending. I thought it was so sweet that Madison asked if she could invite her great-aunt to the tea just because she knew she would enjoy it.

Here's Madison with her mom as well as the mom and stepmom of her groom, Logan.

Those of you who've been reading this blog for many years might be interested in seeing how "the little girls" I used to give tea parties for have grown up. Here are nieces Amelia, Madison, and Cari today. I love these girls so much, and I'm so happy that tea has been with us for their entire lives.

And despite predictions of rain, rain, rain early in the week, we couldn't have had a more gorgeous day to enjoy this tea. And coming soon … a wedding!