This delightful takeoff on the British tradition of high tea is a charming idea. Serve a true high tea, complete with scones, jam, clotted cream, and an assortment of teas. Have it outside on a big lawn, and have everyone wear tea gowns (usually, some lightweight, summery ankle-length dress).

Perfect if you can find delightful floral tablecloths, some vases of roses and daisies, lace table toppers, and china cups. (Borrow cups from everyone you know who has china!) You could all pitch in for a china service for the bride, or bring tea-related things like a teapot, an assortment of gourmet teas, scone mix, and so forth. Send your guests home with collections of tea bags, tiny pots of jam, bath tea sachets, floral perfume, or potpourri.

I have to admit I am stealing this idea from a batch of cards I saw in England. Clever, delicately patterned heavyweight paper was cut into the shape of a teacup and saucer. The paper was outlined in dark blue so you could immediately recognize it as a teacup and saucer shape. A tiny paper strawberry was pasted to the “saucer” part, and an individually wrapped Earl Grey teabag was tucked into a slit cut in the side of the cup. Adorable! The invitations were printed on the inside.