Tableware for a Tea

For each guest, you will need a tea cup and saucer, dessert plate, silverware, and napkin. 
For your serving table, you will need:

Teapot(s)
Coffee service (optional)
Sugar bowl (tongs for sugar cubes)
Creamer
Dish for lemon wedges,
Serving silverware
Tablecloth
Serving trays & dishes for your foods
Tea Cozy (s)
Dish for teabags (if not using loose tea)
Centerpiece

Setup

1. Set up two tables--one with the tea and food, and the other for seating.
2. Place your tea service at one end of the serving table plus a milk pitcher, sugar bowl, and plate of lemon slices. Set a coffee service at the other end if desired.
3. Place your finger foods (cookies, scones, muffins and tea sandwiches) on platters in the center of the table along with plates, napkins and cutlery. Now is your chance to use your 3-tiered serving dish.
4. Serving is simple, as it is a buffet and your guests can serve themselves.
5. Tea and other refreshments are replenished as required. 

The perfect tray




Emily Post suggests "If the tea is of any size, from twenty upwards, the table is set in the dining-room and two intimate friends of the hostess “pour” tea at one end, and chocolate at the other. The ladies who “pour” are always especially invited beforehand and always wear afternoon dresses, with hats, of course, as distinguished from the street clothes of other guests. As soon as a hostess decides to give a tea, she selects two friends for this duty who are, in her opinion, decorative in appearance and also who (this is very important) can be counted on for gracious manners to everyone and under all circumstances."   See the main "Tea Etiquette" page for more from Emily Post.