Craft + Party

Mad Hatters Tea Party Bridal Shower

mad hatter alice in wonderland

Last week we threw the most beautiful bridal shower for a special bride-to-be and I can’t stop talking about it! The event was inspired by the Mad Hatters Tea Party in the classic 1951 Disney film, Alice in Wonderland. Do you remember the scene when Alice and Mad Hatter share a tea party set up for delirious fun and upside down celebrations sending Alice onward in her adventures through the looking glass? This Mad Hatter bridal shower  – with all its detailed tea party ideas, stunning tea room decor and Alice in Wonderland themed foods – was like living THAT moment in real life!

Alice in Wonderland Tea Party

I’m still amazed at how perfectly this Alice in Wonderland Tea Party turned out. How you ever been to a party that so encapsulated the inspiration? It’s one thing to host a tea party bridal shower suited for a lovely ladies’ lunch, but to host a Mad Hatter party that embraces the bright colors and twisted details with such elegance is really special. This was truly a magical space straight out of Alice in Wonderland and a perfect backdrop for our Mad Hatter Tea Party Bridal Shower.

Read on for all the details of this gorgeous Alice in Wonderland Themed Party, including where to get your own Alice in Wonderland Tea Party decorations, an easy Mad Hatter Hat DIY and even the tea party menu.

alice and wonderland party

Alice in Wonderland Party Ideas

At each Alice in Wonderland table setting, there were individual saucers and tea cups; no two tea party sets were the same. How amazing is that? My stepmom scoured garage sales for months to make this detail happen for our Mad Hatter table. She found a woman selling her antique collection of tea party cups. It was fate! She bought every last set so that every adult guest had fun browsing and comparing the eclectic assortment of Mad Hatter tea cups.

The tea party table setting was simply magical! Here are just a few of the cups and plates that we used…

alice in wonderland mad hatter tea partyMad Hatter Tea Party Bridal Shower

Our Mad Hatter Bridal Shower was set for almost 50 adults – so a fairly large group – and we ran into some big obstacles while planning it. First of all, this Alice in Wonderland themed bridal shower took a lot of (wo)man hours and party supplies to pull it off, but yours certainly doesn’t have to be so extravagant. (Check out a list of really great Mad Hatter Tea Party decorations we found on Amazon at the bottom of this post.)

Although the room was perfectly suited for the themed tea party bridal shower, the homeowners did not want to hang anything from the walls or ceilings so we had to get creative with the Alice in Wonderland decoration ideas. The original plan was to suspend the paper lanterns and Mad Hatter centerpieces from the ceiling to create an airy, light vibe.

With this restriction in mind, we opted to create Alice in Wonderland centerpieces from tomato plant stands! The wireframes were light and airy while still providing anchors in which we could hang the many paper lanterns running down the length of our Mad Hatter tea party table.

mad hatters tea party hats

Adorable Alice in Wonderland Party Ideas

The Alice in Wonderland Party Favors were beautiful Mad Hatter Tea Party Hat attached to headbands and hair clips that guests got to wear during the event. Every guest got to pick their favorite! What adorable tea party favors, right?

This simple Alice in Wonderland DIY also doubled as an addition to the atmosphere and feel of the party. You might be surprised to learn that these adorable Mad Hatter Hats are actually disposable paper cups!

alice in wonderland mad hatter tea partyAlice in Wonderland Party Food

One of my favorite parts of the Mad Hatter tea party ideas came served up in delicious party food! So much attention went into creating Alice in Wonderland food ideas that were both tradition tea party food but with the crazy slant that Mad Hatter is known for.

Some of the Mad Hatter tea party ideas for food included asparagus spears served as sprouting grasses out of flower pots, mini Mad Hatter cupcakes with fondant red roses on buttercream frosting, individual cups of colorful fruit trifles and croissant sandwiches with tarragon chicken salad. Everything was delicious!

mad hatter alice in wonderland Mad Hatter Decorations That You Can Buy Now

You wouldn’t believe me if I told you how many emails I’ve received about this magical tea party bridal shower. So many of you love this party as much as I did! Yet, I feel awful that I’m not able to point readers to a place where they can buy the exact bridal tea party decorations.

I’ve finally compiled a list of Mad Hatter tea party supplies that you can buy right now on Amazon! While the products aren’t exactly the same as shown here, they’re still beautifully themed and great quality. I could totally envision these affordable Alice in Wonderland party supplies being used is for various fabulous Mad Hatter tea party ideas for kids.

There are many options for party supplies online! Here are a few that stood out to me.

Alice in WonderlandVintage Signs/Mad Hatter Arrows

These signs are super cute and in keeping with the Mad Hatter party theme. I especially love the vintage feel of them!

 

Tea Party Prop Set/ General Decorations

Complete with a Mad Hatter clock, red rose and Mad Hatter cards, these prop set is a great addition to your party decor.

 

 

 

 

Mini Top Hat Headband with Mad Hatter Clock and Gears

For those in need of time-saving ideas, these tea party hat headbands are perfect mini top hats! Our tutorial shows you how to make them, but these top hats are absolutely perfect too!

More Parties and Good Times!

Keep partying with us! Check out the entire catalog of Parties + Crafts on De Su Mama, including this Pinterest favorite Big Top Circus Baby Shower!

  • Effros Family
    November 15, 2011 at 1:43 am

    I can’t stop looking at the pictures!!!!! I love it!!!!

  • Ruby
    November 15, 2011 at 2:47 am

    What an amazing event. It is seriously straight from a story book i love it!

  • From Marriage To Motherhood
    November 15, 2011 at 3:32 am

    I mean…SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!…..your sister worked her TAIL OFF to make this day WONDERFUL for the bride to be!! Those hats Ness!!!!! AMAZING!!!!!!!!! She went ALL out!! The asparagus on sticks…whaaaa?? Love it!!! Love it all!!!!!!!

  • Angie Larkin
    November 15, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    I was just as thrilled to see the pictures as I was to attend! You took beautiful shots:)

    Can’t wait to come back and read your blog when I get a second!

  • jin@ Love,Loss and Lacquer
    November 16, 2011 at 1:25 am

    what an amazing party!

  • "M" Clan
    November 16, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    You captured it beautifully! I was having such a grand time taking in all of the views that I completely forgot to take pictures! Best EVER tea party, perfect for Kimmy! xo

  • Emma Kay
    November 18, 2011 at 7:20 am

    Your sister is soooo freakin’ talented and creative!

    Please tell me she does this a career….

  • LC
    November 22, 2011 at 5:29 am

    LOVE all the details!! Very talented!

  • Erica
    January 11, 2012 at 6:18 pm

    absolutely gorgeous party! I love all the pics and it gave me great ideas since this is the theme we are doing for my daughters 5 th birthday!

  • Anonymous
    March 17, 2012 at 4:14 pm

    Where did she find/ make/ get those little top hats? They are adorable!!!!

  • De Su Mama
    March 28, 2012 at 4:49 am

    Anon, they were made with love by my family especially for Kimmy. Super cute, huh?!

  • Anonymous
    April 19, 2012 at 4:37 am

    the hats are adorable! what pattern did you use? i’m trying to make some for a baby shower in a couple of weeks. the entire party was BEAUTIFUL! LOVE!

  • Erin
    January 29, 2013 at 7:57 am

    Looks like a wonderful party!! I’m planning my daughter’s Alice party and would LOVE a tutorial for the hats!!! Please send if at all possible!! They look fabulous! Thank you!

  • Brittany
    January 30, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    This looks absolutely adorable!! I was curious what you used to hang the paper lanterns off of? I’m looking to do a simalar thing, but can’t figure out how you did it. lol

    • Vanessa
      January 31, 2013 at 9:53 am

      Hi Brittany! They weren’t allowed to hang anything from the ceiling (which was the original idea) so they used garden tresses used for tomatoes that you can find at any garden center. Hope that helps!

  • Deedee
    February 21, 2013 at 3:21 pm

    Loved your photos and creativity. I am one of those masses who would love the hat tutorial. I have a “Mad Hatter Un-Bridal Shower” I am helping to host and would love to offer these! Blessings on your beautiful family.

    • Vanessa
      March 3, 2013 at 4:30 pm

      Hi Deedee,
      Just wanted to let you know the tutorial is now up on the site!
      Thanks so much for stopping by,
      Vanessa

  • Mad Hatter Tea Party Hat Tutorial - De Su Mama
    March 3, 2013 at 4:50 pm

    […] you are visiting from Pinterest, welcome to De Su Mama! My cousin’s Mad Hatter Tea Party bridal shower, was a beautiful day that our family won’t soon forget. Since that post, I have […]

  • Terry Ann Diack
    September 4, 2014 at 8:37 am

    Looks like a wonderful event. I am planning a sweet 16 un-birthday party and love your idea of the little hats. thanks