A little history lesson
What is High Tea?
Nothing makes a gal feel quite as fancy as getting dressed up in their cutest dress to attend a high tea event.
But did you know that high tea is actually a tradition that began with the working-class who undertook labour intensive jobs such as farmers and miners?
Where Did High Tea Originate?
Back in the day the men folk would return home utterly famished after a hard day’s work and be served a hot meal with tea between the hours of 6pm and 7pm. The term “high” was used as the meal would be served at a high table with high-back dining chairs. It had nothing at all to do with the social class of the person having the high tea! In fact in many working class areas of Britain they still refer to what we in Australia call “dinner” as “tea”.
High Tea in the 21st Century
What we refer to as “high tea” in the 21st century actually began as “afternoon tea” in the 19th century. It is a quintessentially British tradition established by the Seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria Russell (lifelong bestie of Queen Victoria) who would request a “snack” of finger sandwiches, scones, cake and tea to be served in her room (what a vibe!). What began as a private indulgence soon became a social affair when she invited friends and family to join her. This tradition of a small afternoon meal between lunch and dinner soon took off, though only amongst aristocratic circles in Britain as unfortunately the working class could not afford such luxury at the time.
These days high tea is a mesh of the two traditions and is enjoyed the world over. It is now generally served at a table with high-back chairs as we indulge in luxurious cakes and sandwiches whilst sipping tea from fine bone china and enjoying conversation with friends and family. Baby showers, bridal showers, kitchen teas and special occasions are typically celebrated with a high tea.
High Tea vs Afternoon Tea
Here’s where most people get it backwards. What Australians call “high tea” today, the pretty tiered stands and the fine china, actually has more in common historically with afternoon tea than with the original high tea. Confusing, we know. Here’s the whole thing laid out side by side, so you never have to wonder again.
| Traditional High Tea | Afternoon Tea | Modern Australian High Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Evening meal | Afternoon refreshment | Celebration experience |
| Meat & vegetables | Tea, sandwiches & cakes | Tea, sweets & savouries |
| Dining table | Low lounge table | Styled dining table |
Why Do Australians Call It High Tea?
“It’s not a mistake, it’s just how the word settled here.”
Language shifts, and words rarely stay locked to their original meaning forever. In Australia, “high tea” simply came to describe the elegant, celebratory version of afternoon tea. So whether you call it high tea or afternoon tea, we know exactly what you mean, and we’re not about to correct you.
What Is Served at a Modern High Tea?
A proper spread, done right, usually looks something like this, plus a glass of something sparkling, because every celebration needs bubbles.
Finger Sandwiches
Scones, Jam & Cream
Petite Desserts
Tea & Something Sparkling
What Happens at a High Tea?
There’s no run sheet, no strict order to follow, no one checking whether you’ve buttered your scone correctly (although we will give side-eye if we see you add the cream before the jam!). A high tea is really just a few hours where people sit down properly, at a beautifully set table, and actually talk to each other. Plates get passed around instead of served in isolation. Someone always ends up pouring the tea for the table, whether they meant to become the designated pourer or not. Conversations run longer than expected, because nobody’s watching the clock. It’s less about getting the etiquette right and more about the kind of afternoon people remember months later, not for any single thing that happened, just for how good it felt to slow down together.
What Celebrations Does High Tea Suit?
High tea is perfect for any occasion! Here are some of the most popular events we help our clients celebrate beautifully…
Bridal Shower
One of the last celebrations that’s just for her before the wedding takes over. Intimate, unhurried, entirely about the bride-to-be.
Baby Shower
Slow down for an afternoon before everything changes. Grandparents, best friends and colleagues all fit comfortably around one relaxed, unhurried table.
Birthday Party
Whatever age, whatever the occasion calls for. A table people actually want to sit at beats a run sheet full of activities.
Wedding
Small and intimate, or one part of a bigger day. Either way, a reception that feels like an afternoon with loved ones, not a production.
Hens Day
All the celebration, none of the sash-and-tequila stereotype. An elegant afternoon for the bride’s closest people, exactly the way she’d actually want it.
Mother's Day
One morning, done properly, for the woman who’s usually the one doing the organising. A chance to spoil her, not add another item to her list.
Corporate
Client meetings, launches, staff milestones. Food that actually reflects the effort behind the event, not a sad sandwich platter left in the boardroom.
Charity Fundraiser
Guests give more when they’ve genuinely enjoyed themselves. A warm afternoon of high tea and conversation does more for a cause than another generic mail-out ever could.
Want to Host a High Tea Yourself?
It’s easier than you’d think! Whether you want it fully catered, styled with hired crockery, or completely set up for you, we have an option that fits.
Ready to Experience High Tea?
Now that you know the story behind high tea, here’s how to actually have one.
Vintage Crockery Hire
Create your own elegant high tea with carefully curated vintage china.
High Tea Set Up
Have the catering covered? We’ll deliver, style and pack down for you.
High Tea FAQ
Still got questions after our little history lesson? Here are the ones we get asked most.
Historically, no, they started as two different things. High tea was originally a working-class evening meal, while afternoon tea was the aristocratic tradition of finger sandwiches and cake. What Australians now call “high tea” is really closer to afternoon tea in format, just with a different name.
Because it was traditionally served at a high table with high-back dining chairs, not because of social status. It’s one of the most common misconceptions about the term.
Not necessarily, though it does make a real difference to how the table looks and feels. Vintage crockery hire is an easy way to get that look without owning any of it yourself.
Not at all, though it does suit them well. Plenty of people host high tea just because, no occasion required.
Yes, it’s common for a glass of something sparkling to be served alongside the tea, and some of our clients even serve cocktails, especially for celebrations.
They’re actually talking about two different things entirely. Traditional high tea started as a hearty, savoury evening meal, though these days it’s evolved into more of a spread, cakes, savouries and sandwiches, rather than a full sit-down dinner. A kitchen tea, on the other hand, is a pre-wedding celebration where guests bring kitchenware gifts for the bride-to-be, closer to a bridal shower than an actual meal. These days, it’s common for a kitchen tea to be catered in high tea style, which is probably where the two terms started getting mixed up.
Start Planning Your High Tea
Now you know the real story, let’s help you host one.