Tag: cake stand
Vintage cake stands forever!
We thought we might share some pictures of our vintage cake stands from recent vintage weddings, parties and events? We have quite a collection now and with some 35 three tier cake stands, 15 two-tier cake stands and more than 20 single tier stands we probably have the largest range of cake stands for hire in Dorset!
Cake stands came into fashion in the early Victorian (1840’s) period when they were the essential afternoon tea accompaniment but they may have been about since the 1600’s when they were referred to as “salvers” or serving platters, generally being silver. The first china cake stands emerged when English bone china was at its height and enjoying afternoon tea was an essential etiquette for more affluent ladies of leisure!
Vintage Dorset’s cake stands are almost all bone china or fine ceramic ware though we do have one or two glass cake stands which are great for single tier cakes. The fashion for three tier stands with delicate finger sandwiches on the bottom tier topped off with scones in the middle and delicate fancies on the top has become embedded in our modern culture – possibly emerging from the Ritz Hotel and their gorgeous Palm House Afternoon teas (which are truly wondrous)!
Afternoon Tea!
Afternoon tea should most authentically comprise a cold light menu of very delicate and beautifully presented treats usually served between 2pm and 5pm. High tea is a different affair entirely – more of an early evening meal taken between 5 and 7pm and almost always including a hot dish. High tea was very often provided (by Nanny!) for the children of wealthier families as Dinner would not be served until between 7 and 9pm. Its called “high” tea as it was “high time” the children were fed and sent off to bed!
For events these days you can use cake stands for serving food or increasingly we hire them out to display flowers and fruit, sweets and favours.
We provide cake stands ready-matched and cleanly wrapped in sets for you to assemble at your venue. Our three-tier cake stands are just £5.50 each to hire with two-tier stands at £4.50 and single-tier stands for £4.
Our clients generally use 1 cake stand between 2 people for “Ritz-style” afternoon tea (each stand holding sandwiches, scones and cakes) However, most people prefer to use a single cake stand for each table of guests (to display cakes) with sandwiches and scones served separately on vintage plates.
Sunny Anniversary
Sasha and Alan wanted a special beachside party with lots of vintage charm to mark their Silver Anniversary. Taking advantage of the gorgeous Branksome Dene Chine on their doorstep, an unexpected burst of late summer sunshine and Vintage Dorset helping with the event styling – this was the perfect opportunity for a Sunny Anniversary!
Vintage Styling – Bunting, Flowers and Props!
This party for around 80 guests was steeped in nostalgia and colour – and designed to be fun and informal. Mixing vintage props with loads of bunting and flowers, gorgeous vintage tablecloths and lots of vintage china we transformed Branksome Dene Chine Community Room into an old fashioned tea shoppe. Its rare to find a venue that is literally on the beach and when the heavens indulged us with late summer heat this became the best possible spot for tiffin! The kids loved our old vintage toy cash register and it was great fun bringing out our old kitchen scales, a washboard and galvanised bucket of flowers and our old ships lantern. It seemed very fitting to use some nautical vintage so close to the coast!
Food – sandwiches, cakes, scones, cake-stands and vintage china – swoon!
Sasha and Alan’s family supplied sandwiches from the Marks & Spencer entertaining range (you only need to give 2 days notice for these great value gorgeous sarnies) and with pink lemonade, sparkling wine, Sgt Bun’s superb scones and cakes from the WI / Country Markets everything was perfect for a vintage afternoon tea in flip flops!
Here are some more pictures including the gorgeous cake stands and serving platters, tablecloths and beautiful food!
Vintage styling is great for adding sparkle to all kinds of special occasions – its informal and fun and can be great value – especially if you are adding your own food items or want to use your own venue. If you need venue styling, vintage china hire or help finding local food providers and staff for your event then get in touch with us HERE.
Congratulations to Sasha & Alan & thank-you for the delicious bottle of wine!
