The food

If you want to take 100% of the stress off and money is no object, then support your local patisserie and buy the treats in – nobody is going to say no to a Black Star Pastry strawberry watermelon cake. Just try and get hold of smaller items so you don’t have to mess them up by chopping them. 

If you want to make everything yourself however, go you! The best way you can help yourself here is to make cakes that last for a few days so you can prep them in advance. Carrot cake is your friend (this spiced version is ideal) plus strawberries and cream cheesecake, gluten-free rose and pistachio cake and flourless chocolate cake. Perhaps get a friend over early to help out if you’re in the mood for a bake and a gossip? We’re thinking someone along the lines of sweet Marina Thompson, a lovely, calming person to cook and create with. 

Then, on the day, all you need to do is to make the foods that cannot wait: the scones and the sambos. Try these cucumber sangers, jazzed up with dill and a quick pickle: the perfect refresher against all those rich cakes. With the scones, make your life easier by charging them with lemonade – the carbonation gives an extra rise, and the gentle lemony flavour makes them perfect with a sprightly raspberry jam or citrus-based curd. Just please use clotted (or at the very least, thick) cream rather than whipped: we beseech you.

The drinks 

Tea is an absolute must for this event. But this is not the time for your stock-standard, regular brew. You are going to have to buy loose-leaf, and because of that, you are going to need a tea-strainer. Source the tea from a tea shop if you can, because you’ll likely get better quality than the supermarket stuff, and keep it pretty neutral: a light Darjeeling over a potentially polarising (bergamot-infused) Earl Grey.

However, everyone knows that a proper high tea needs the option of booze to make it truly brag-worthy. Host like Lady Danbury would, and opt for the obvious, chic choice – champagne. Lower your costs but up the ante by making a classic Bellini instead: one part peach purée or juice to two parts Prosecco. The peach mellows the alcohol content to make it arvo-acceptable, and the sweetness from the fruit complements that of the food – we particularly love this peach, ginger and Thai basil version. Peaches out of season? Try a Bombay Bellini, which can be made from frozen mango cheeks if required.

The styling

Don’t panic if you don’t have a full set of perfectly matched plates – in fact, some of the prettiest tea parties rely on the miscellaneous delight of mismatched crockery. It is nice to have proper teacups and saucers though, so consider borrowing some if you don’t own enough (that’s what grannies – not to mention whacky aunties – are for). Mugs just will not do (imagine what Lady Whistledown would say? It doesn’t even bear thinking about. And remember: if flowery ceramics aren’t within your grasp, there is a refined elegance in simple white tableware. 

Lay out jugs or carafes of water, flecked with fresh mint leaves and cucumber. As for the tablecloth, linen looks particularly fetching, but a white cotton flat sheet will work wonders in a pinch.

The extras

One more thing: flowers. You must have flowers. If buying bountiful blooms from your local florist is a cost too far, then simply walk around your neighbourhood and see what’s afoot. A few sprigs from a bay tree here, some jacaranda blossoms there, even a bottlebrush or two, can make for a beautiful spread atop your table. At the very least, you can tell your guests they are locally sourced – what a thoughtful, ethical, fabulous host you are!

This article is brought to you by Netflix, in celebration of the new original series, Bridgerton – a romantic, scandalous, and quick-witted look at the timelessness of enduring friendships, families finding their way, and the search for true love.