There’s nothing quite like a Marie Antoinette themed tea party. It’s romantic, over-the-top, and unapologetically girly. Whether you’re planning a bridal shower, birthday brunch, or just want an excuse to gather with your favorite people, this theme is equal parts whimsical and regal.
To help bring this lavish tea party to life, I’m sharing exactly what you need and tips for planning your own. From decor and dress code, to floral, florals, and everything in between, here’s exactly how to host a Marie Antoinette tea party at home. No powdered wig required, but they are highly encouraged.
Who Was Marie Antoinette?
Marie Antoinette was the last queen of France before the French Revolution, and while her reign wasn’t exactly peaceful, she’s remembered for her extravagance, fashion, and flair for the dramatic.
The Marie Antoinette aesthetic is all about opulence, with a feminine twist. Think:
- Pastel color palettes
- Gilded gold details
- Luxurious fabrics like lace, silkk, and velvet
- Towering desserts and sweet treats
- Rococo-inspired decor
The aesthetic might not be historically accurate, but it is inspired by Versailles-era decadence with modern touches.
How to Host a Marie Antoinette Themed Tea Party
Choose Your Location
Before you start dreaming up your invitations, you’ll want to start by choosing a location. Thankfully, this theme is great for both indoor and outdoor settings!
If you want to have your Marie Antoinette themed tea party outdoors, consider a corner of your yard (or another outdoor location!) that is filled with greenery like rose bushes and climbing vines. Bistro tables with linen runners and lots of candles will help transform any outdoor space.
I personally prefer to host tea parties indoors and took advantage of my dining space. I layered candles over a lace tablecloth to create an antique-inspired tablescape to bring my vision to life.
The Color Palette
Marie Antoinette was the queen of maximalism, but always in a soft, decadent palette. Stick to dreamy tones like blush pink, powder blue, lavender, and mint green. Incorporate in ivory and gold accents and don’t be afraid to layer textures such as lace, velvet, satin, and tulle. These will help to add dimension to your table setting in an indulgent way that’s fit for a queen.
Send Invites
Once you’ve decided on a date, location, and the overall feel of your Marie Antoinette team party, it’s time to send some invitations! For a special occasion get togethers, I love sending either a digital or paper invitations to bring the theme to life.
Paperless Post is one of my go-tos for digital invitations. There are so many invitation designs to pick from and it makes it really easy to track RSVPs.
I always love Minted for paper invites because they have a great assortment of invitations that you can personalize, and you can order as little as 10 cards for a more intimate tea party. For this party, however, I didn’t have time to order ahead and so I whipped up a quick design in Canva and then printed my invites onto cardstock.
As a rule of thumb, tea parties are usually day time events so consider hosting yours between 12pm-3pm or 3-6pm.
Plan Your Menu
The Food
Tea parties are all about tiny treats and elegant sips. For this theme, focus on pastries and desserts.
For my Marie Antoinette themed tea party, I had a spread of pastries, mini quiches, and plenty of bread and butter. Serving them on tiered servers and cake stands to add a touch of elegance and vary the heights of your tablescape.
To help save time, don’t be afraid to purchase pre-made scones, desserts, and macarons from the grocery store. This is usually what I’ll do and will make my own tea sandwiches.
As my main dessert (and show piece), I did a rococo inspired cake! I feel like this cake trend is huge right now, and lots of local bakeries are probably familiar with this style of cake decorating. I ordered my cake from SusieCakes, one of my favorite Los Angeles bakeries.
The Beverages
Your guests will most likely have varying tastes of tea so be sure to get an assortment! Earl Grey, English Breakfast Tea, and Chamomile are always safe options. Since you’re in control of your menu you can splurge on higher-end team like Fortnum & Mason or pick up a few packs at your local grocery store. If you can, also serve a non-caffeinated tea.
And of course, no Marie Antoinette themed tea party is complete without a little bubbly! Be sure to chill a few bottles of champagne before your guests arrive. This can be served alone or as a topper on a sparkling cocktail.
Use coupe glasses or antique teacups for added drama. (We love drama!)
Setting the Table
Setting the table for your tea party is going to be where you really bring your vision to life. I started with a lace tablecloth as my base.
To really bring the French rococo feel to fruition, I knew I wanted some sort of vintage-inspired dish setup. To save money, I opted to use our everyday white plates but I elevated them with these gold chargers. Layering the plates and chargers add dimension and provides maximalist flare, and I was able to achieve that rococo look with items I already owned.
If you don’t have the budget for vintage plates, incorporate in paper items to tie the theme together. This will also make clean up a breeze!
Must-Have Decor Elements:
- Tea cups and saucers
- Tiered serving trays
- Cake stand
- Tall taper candles
- Ornate candelabras
- Faux florals or fresh arrangements
- Gold-rimmed plates or chargers
- Lace or satin tablecloth
- Tea selections and cocktail ingredients
- Silverware
- Faux pearl garlands
Dress Like Royalty
One of the best parts of this theme? The fashion! This is your moment to step into all things French rococo; fluffy skirts, pearls, ruffles, and lace details. Whether you go all out or have a more subtle nod to the era, dressing the part will complete the experience.
Marie Antoinette’s style was extravagant, feminine, and detailed to the max. Don’t be afraid to mix in fun accessories like fans and lace gloves, either!
Some Extravagant Must-Haves:
- Structured corsets or empire waists
- Puffy sleeves
- Tulle skirts
- Pastels with pops of gold
- Pearl accessories
- Dainty kitten heels
- Statement earrings and satin headband
A tea party is a great excuse to get into character and this is a theme that everyone will love! Let them eat cake!
Marie Antoinette Inspired Fashion
