How to make tea party invitations: start with a pretty printable invitation, add your party details, and dress it up with ribbon, a tea bag, a tag, or a doily. Here is a free invitation file and easy ideas to make it your own.
I am excited to have Michelle James of Michelle James Designs guest posting today as part of my Afternoon Tea Recipes and Tips. Michelle is a card maker and taught card classes in her own store, and she created this invitation just for A Day in Candiland.
Tea parties are especially fun and can be the theme for bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties, and more. Michelle says she can just see a group of friends sitting around the table with tea and finger sandwiches.
Quick Look
- 🫖 Start With: a free printable tea party invitation, single or 4 per page
- 🖨️ Paper: prints on 8.5 x 11 paper
- ✍️ Add Details: type them in, or write them by hand
- 🎀 Decorate With: ribbon, a tea bag, a tag, or a doily
- ⏱️ Time: a few minutes per invitation
- 🎉 Great For: bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays and afternoon tea
Quick Answer
To make tea party invitations, print a tea party invitation template on cardstock, add the occasion, date, time, place, and RSVP by typing them in or writing them by hand, then decorate. A simple no tie ribbon, a real tea bag, a small tag, a paper doily, or rounded corners turn a printed card into a special keepsake. You can download a free tea party invitation in this post.
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What You Need
Click to see the supply list
- The invitation file: the free download below, in PNG and PSD formats.
- A printer and paper: cardstock works best, 8.5 x 11.
- A program to add text, such as Word, Publisher, or Photoshop Elements, or just a nice pen.
- Ribbon, about 3 1/2 inches per invitation for a no tie ribbon.
- A hole punch and scissors.
- Optional extras: tea bags, tags, mini doilies, and a corner rounder.
Why Make Your Own Tea Party Invitations
- They set the tone for your party before guests even arrive.
- They’re easy to personalize for a shower, birthday, or afternoon tea.
- A handwritten invitation becomes an extra special keepsake.
- Guests get a little gift when you tuck in a tea bag to enjoy at home.
- They cost very little with a free printable and a few embellishments.
The Free Tea Party Invitation Download
Michelle created this invitation in Adobe Photoshop Elements, but you don’t need that program. The download includes a single invitation in PNG and PSD formats, plus 4 per page in PNG and PSD formats to print on 8.5 x 11 paper.
- Photoshop Elements: open the PNG file and add your text on layers above it.
- Word or Publisher: insert the single invitation as an image, then add a text box for each line.
- By hand: print the invitation as is and use your own handwriting for an extra special keepsake.
Sign up below and the invitation files will be sent to your inbox.
Ways to Decorate Your Invitations
Michelle loves to add embellishments, so she made a few examples to show how the invitation can change for different occasions.
- A real tea bag: Add a ribbon and an actual tea bag so your guests get a little tea to drink at home. Rounded corners add another fun detail.
- A tag instead: If you’re not sure about the tea bag, a tag with a fun greeting makes a great substitute.
- A mini doily: Doilies come in many colors. Mini doilies fit perfectly around one edge; add a bow and it looks terrific.
- Baby shower: Tie a ribbon around the whole invitation, one for a boy and one for a girl. Super sweet! See my baby shower party ideas and baby shower tea party.
How to Add a No Tie Ribbon
When Michelle taught card classes, this was the most popular tie because it doesn’t require tying knots or bows.
- Punch two holes next to each other where you want the ribbon. Cut about 3 1/2 inches of ribbon at an angle so the ends are pointed, and pull both ends through the holes from front to back.
- Cross the ribbon ends on the back of the invitation.
- Bring the ends back to the front and trim the ribbon to the length you like. Easy, right?
Tea Party Invitation Tips
- Include the basics: occasion, date, time, place, and how to RSVP.
- Send them early so guests have time to plan, especially for showers and birthdays.
- Mention a dress code if you have one. Here is my guide to tea party attire, and tea party hats for extra fun.
- Cut ribbon at an angle so it slides through the holes easily.
- Print a test page on plain paper before using your cardstock.
- Match your theme. Browse these tea party theme ideas.
Planning the Rest of Your Tea Party
Once the invitations are out, use my easy steps to host a tea party and ideas to plan a tea party. For the menu, serve afternoon tea sandwiches, cream scones with clotted cream, and tea party desserts, with a good pot of tea.
Send guests home with tea party favors, brush up on tea etiquette, and share the history of afternoon tea. Planning a special occasion? See my Mother’s Day tea party, tea party birthday, and garden tea party guides, or my Tea Guides.
Michelle James is the owner of Michelle James Designs, offering wedding invitations, announcements, scrapbooking products, and business products such as brochures and business cards. Thank you, Michelle, for this lovely invitation.
Tea Party Invitation FAQs
Include the occasion, date, time, place, and how to RSVP. You can add a dress code or a note about hats if you like.
Word, Publisher, or Photoshop Elements all work. In Word or Publisher, insert the invitation as an image and add text boxes. Or print it and write the details by hand.
Cardstock gives the nicest result. The download includes a single invitation and a 4 per page version for 8.5 x 11 paper.
Punch two holes side by side, pull both ends of a short ribbon through from front to back, cross them on the back, bring them to the front, and trim.
Yes. A ribbon and a real tea bag make a sweet touch, and your guests get a little tea to enjoy at home. A tag with a greeting works too.
Yes. They work for bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays, and more. Tie a ribbon around the whole invitation for a shower.
Melissa Vera says
These are way to cute. Thank you so much for linking up this week at #HomeMattersParty can’t wait to see what you link up next week.
Christie says
These invitations are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing this wonderful post with us at the Bloggers Brags Weekly Pinterest Party! I am pinning to our Bloggers Brag board on Pinterest. We hope to see you again next week!
Maria Loveless says
Can you send me that cute card by email it has to be in word. Thank you