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Frequently Asked Quesitons

Tea with Meredith

What is Afternoon Tea?

Afternoon tea is a fancy, mid-afternoon social ritual featuring dainty finger sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and pastries. High tea is a hearty, post-work, working-class evening meal eaten at a dining table, accompanied by hot, savory dishes like meat pies and baked beans. Tea with Meredith serves Afternoon Tea, not High Tea and if you would like to add bubbly, we serve Royal Tea.

What types of events does Tea with Meredith offer?

Tea with Meredith specializes in elegant, memorable and customized to you, afternoon tea experiences for bridal showers, birthdays, baby showers, garden parties, women’s gatherings, and intimate celebrations throughout Westchester County, NY and surrounding areas such as Greenwich, CT.

Offerings include:

  • Fully Hosted Afternoon Tea Experiences

  • Tea & Cocktails Gatherings

  • Styled Drop-Off Tea Experiences

  • Curated Tea Collections

  • The Tea with Meredith Effortless Party Guide (Planning Support for self-hosted gatherings)

What is included in a fully hosted Tea with Meredith event?

Hosted events typically include:

  • Curated seasonal chef's choice tea and food menu based on your preferences and dietary needs 

  • 2-3 Tea sandwiches, 2 flavors of seasonal scones, 3 balanced, seasonal desserts, and 2 premium loose-leaf teas (which can be served hot or iced)

  • Signature Tea with Meredith serving pieces and presentation

  • Buffet styling and setup

  • Event setup and breakdown

  • Professional service staff based on guest count and format

Specific inclusions vary based on guest count, level of dietary accommodation, venue, rentals, staffing, and service style. Additional menu choices and tea choices are available, but may incur an additional fee. We typically provide exquisite, unique and memorable loose leaf teas that compliment the menu and are chosen specifically for your event. We have traditional and unique varieties.

What is a Styled Drop-Off Tea Experience?

Styled Drop-Off experiences are designed for clients who would like Tea with Meredith food and signature presentation without full onsite staffing.

These experiences may include:

  • Curated tea menu

  • Up to one hour of styled food setup using your service items and TWM signature items (usually 2 teapots, 2 three tiered servers, jam, cream cups and a few spreaders, service spoons)

  • Shopping list for service items to source on your own

  • Tea service guidance

  • Optional disposable or rental recommendations

These offerings are ideal for smaller or more casual gatherings and limited availability applies.

Will I need to source service items myself?

For Styled Drop-Off experiences, Curated Tea Collections, and self-hosted offerings, clients are typically responsible for sourcing their own service items and event supplies.

Depending on your event, this may include:

  • Plates and flatware

  • Teacups and saucers

  • Glassware

  • Tables and linens

  • Serving pieces

  • Decor items

  • Beverage service supplies

Tea with Meredith may provide curated recommendations, shopping guidance, or preferred rental/vendor suggestions depending on the level of planning support selected.

Signature Tea with Meredith serving pieces and onsite setup are reserved for fully hosted experiences unless otherwise specified in your agreement.

What are Curated Tea Collections?

Curated Tea Collections are designed for clients who wish to host themselves while still offering a Tea with Meredith experience.

Collections may include:

  • Tea sandwiches

  • Scones with accompaniments (clotted cream and jam)

  • Desserts

  • Two Loose-leaf tea selections

  • Brewing instructions

  • Optional styling guidance (add on)

These offerings are best suited for smaller gatherings and limited availability.

Do you offer planning support for self-hosted events?

Yes. Tea with Meredith offers premium planning support for clients who prefer to host independently while still creating an elevated Tea with Meredith experience.

Our signature offering, The Tea with Meredith Effortless Party Guide, is designed for clients who want expert guidance behind the scenes while handling the hosting themselves.

Support options may include:

  • Custom tea menu guidance

  • Styling and layout recommendations

  • Shopping recommendations

  • Hosting flow guidance

  • Brewing instructions

  • Limited vendor coordination support

Offerings begin at $1,000 and vary based on the level of support requested.

Do you provide venues?

Tea with Meredith works with a variety of preferred venues throughout Westchester County, NY and surrounding areas.

Venue recommendations and introductions are typically provided after booking and deposit confirmation.

Do you provide florals, rentals, cakes, balloons, or bartenders?

Tea with Meredith can recommend trusted vendors for florals, bartending, rentals, photography, desserts, and specialty event services.

Unless specifically outlined in your agreement, these services are not included in Tea with Meredith pricing.

Cake service is not included.

Do you provide china and teacups?

Hosted events include signature Tea with Meredith serving pieces and presentation items.

Depending on the experience selected, events may utilize:

  • Elevated disposable tableware

  • Signature serving pieces

  • Specialty teaware

  • Rental china through preferred partners

Additional rental upgrades are available.

What areas do you serve?

Tea with Meredith is based in Larchmont, New York and primarily serves:

  • Westchester County, New York

  • Lower Hudson Valley

  • Greenwich, CT and surrounding Fairfield County areas

Travel fees may apply outside the standard service area. 

What is your pricing?

Tea with Meredith offers several experience formats depending on guest count, level of service, and event style.

Typical starting points include:

  • Pick up Service begins around $1,550 (up to 10 guests, depending on level of dietary accomodation)

  • Styled drop-off experiences beginning around $2,000 (starting at up to 10 guests)

  • Fully hosted tea experiences beginning around $3,500 (starting at up to 20 guests)

  • Premium planning support and self-hosted guidance beginning at $1,000

Final pricing varies based on:

  • Guest count

  • Venue requirements

  • Staffing

  • Rentals

  • Dietary accommodations

  • Service style

  • Event complexity

Custom proposals are provided after reviewing your event details in the plan your event form.

Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?

We can accommodate some dietary requests with advance notice.

Please note:

  • Extensive allergy accommodations may require additional fees

  • Gluten-free and vegan accommodations are limited and will incur additional fees due to price of ingredients and additional labor involved

  • Kosher and Halal menus are not available

  • Severe allergy environments may not be suitable for all menu items

All dietary needs should be finalized no later than two weeks before the event.

How far in advance should I book?

Spring and fall dates book quickly, especially weekends.

We recommend booking:

  • 2–4 months ahead for hosted events

  • Earlier for bridal showers and venue-based gatherings

Limited availability may exist for smaller weekday pickup/drop-off offerings.

What is required to reserve my date?

A signed agreement and 50% deposit are required to secure your date.

Planning, menu development, and vendor coordination begin after booking confirmation.

Dates are not held, venues not shared, nor menus finalized without deposit.

Do you offer phone consultations before booking?

Most initial planning begins through the inquiry form and email process. One phone planning meeting or a meeting at the venue is included with fully hosted events which occurs after initial booking.

For clients seeking deeper planning guidance before booking a hosted event, premium planning support options are available.

Can guest count or event details change later?

Minor adjustments may be possible within reason. Please note event pricing occurs within ranges of 10 guests - less than 10, 11-20, 21-30 and so on. Initial pricing may reflect initial guest count and final pricing may be adjusted based on final guest count and any add ons selected.

Final guest count, dietary needs, timing, and major event details must typically be finalized at least two weeks before the event.

Late changes may not be accommodated.

Do you stay onsite during the event?

Hosted experiences include onsite setup and service based on the format selected.

Styled drop-off experiences, Curated Tea Collections, and self-hosted offerings are generally not staffed unless specifically arranged in advance.

Do you provide alcohol?

Tea with Meredith does not provide alcohol.

For Tea & Cocktails gatherings, clients typically supply alcohol while licensed bartending partners provide service.

Do you provide add ons?

Yes! Tea with Meredith works with chocolatiers, dessert table and custom cookie vendors, fruit plates and so on. Contact us for add ons desired and we will accommodate accordingly post booking and if we cannot provide directly will make a connection. 

What does Tea with Meredith not provide?

Unless specifically outlined in your agreement, Tea with Meredith does not provide:

  • Venue rental

  • Tables, chairs, or linens

  • Cakes or cake cutting

  • Alcohol

  • Full-service event planning

  • Balloon installations

  • Last-minute event or menu redesigns

  • Day-of coordination for outside vendors

We are happy to recommend trusted partners whenever possible.

How do I get started?

Please begin by completing the inquiry form at:

www.teawithmeredith.com/planyourevent

We’ll guide you toward the best-fit offering based on your guest count, event style, and level of support desired.

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