Crowning Inspiration: Out with the Coffee, in with the Tea Bar

My latest crave is for tea. Since giving up coffee in November, I have found not only better health benefits, but a passion for a very old tradition.

Served hot or cold, its always satisfying.

I am turning my love for tea, and well, the country's new fad, into a tea bar for a wedding.

Traditionally, tea was commonly served at a Chinese marriage ceremony - and still is. But that is not the only place you will find it these days. "Tea Bars" are taking over the esspresso bars at weddings and events.

In the traditional Chinese marriage ceremony, both the bride and groom kneel in front of their parents and serve them tea. That is a way to express their gratitude. In front of their parents, it is a practice for the married couple to say, "Thank you for bringing us up. Now we are getting married. We owe it all to you." The parents will usually drink a small portion of the tea and then give them a red envelope, which symbolizes good luck. Another variant is for the to-be daughter-in-law to serve tea to her to-be parents-in-law, symbolizing that she is to become a part of the latter's family. Drinking the tea by all guests at the wedding symbolized acceptance into the family.

In a way, I like to think of it as toasting new life and happiness. 

You can purchase fun tea infusers like these heart shaped-ones:

And fill them with loose leaves in different flavors and strengths:

  You can fill bags yourself and add custom tags with your

names or monogram and wedding date:

  

Or if you don't have time for a DIY project, you can purchase tea bags with your names on them:

For help with a custom Tea Bar at your wedding, contact Crowning Celebrations today!