Boring luncheons are out to lunch

You know the schtick at these affairs: deviled eggs and games. I despise games. I have a borderline case of post traumatic stress disorder from past events, including baby shower luncheons.

I cannot tell you how many times I have been made to “guess” what is in a baby food jar (minus its label) or have failed miserably, with a shameful smile, on the “How well do you know the bride” quiz -- in front of the entire female section of a wedding party. 

I guess in all the years I spent hanging out with the bride-to-be, it never occurred to me to have a serious conversation about her favorite bar soap, her kindergarten teacher's name, or whether she files her toenails round or square. 

So sue me. 

When I started my own tea company, I was out to save the world from bridal luncheon hell. I noticed a trend in the way these celebrations changed, through talking with brides all over the nation.

These savvy sisters are planning bridal events with some chutzpah and class, putting a new spin on an old idea:

Tea. 

Slipping away are the days of sherbet punch, with its melting globs floating atop generic ginger ale. Enter bridal teas, with unpretentious class -- and beautiful savouries, scones, edible flowers, and clotted cream. 

Whether Asian themed or with an English garden flair, custom teas for today's brides are all the rage. 

Creating a custom tea party is a one-of-a-kind gift for bride and guests to take away, making a memory with every sip. 

See the growing trend in tea and let it motivate you to do something special for the bride-to-be. The choices are endless -- and a good iced tea will never be forgotten. 

This isn’t your grandma’s cuppa, baby! 

See Cooking with tea and tea time treats for recipes.

Lisa Wynn is the owner of Artisans Cup gourmet tea flavoring company. She is a freelance writer for Fresh Cup Magazine and Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, and a speaker at NASCORE. Contact Lisa through her website.