Why a High Tea Feels Like Us?

High tea is intimate by nature. It invites conversation. It encourages people to slow down, sit close, share stories, laugh easily, and be present with one another.

And that is exactly what we want for our brides.

At every tea table, you’ll find women in different phases of life, some engaged, some newly married, some in the sweet season of growing their families. They may arrive with their mom, sister, or best friend, but by the end of the afternoon, they’re often leaving with new friendships, exchanged phone numbers, and the unmistakable feeling of “I belong here.”

One of our favorite things about this event is that it doesn’t feel like a “production.” It feels like catching up with friends, and watching our brides reconnect not only with us, but with each other.

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A Room Filled With Thoughts, Local, Intentional Details

This year’s tea carried the kind of intentionality you can feel the moment you walk in.

From the tablescape to the music, every detail was chosen to create something soft, festive, and elevated. Instead of our typical Christmas playlist, we filled the space with quiet instrumental holiday music, the kind that makes everything feel calmer, richer, and more cinematic, like you stepped into a moment you’ll want to remember.

And then there was the food.

We served authentic scones made by friends with deep roots in England, who even came out of retirement to make them for our brides. Alongside them was true clotted cream, lovingly explained to guests as it was served: a Devonshire tradition, slow made, rich, and almost like a sweet butter in texture. The kind of detail that turns a bite into an experience.

We paired it with a locally sourced strawberry Prosecco jam from Spirelli, crafted right here in our Fredericksburg community. It was one of those little touches that made the entire spread feel not only beautiful, but personal.

The tables were full of warmth and abundance: a variety of high end teas, honey for stirring, cookies from beloved local bakeries, fruit, chocolate covered treats, and savory bites like chicken salad croissants. It was the perfect blend of indulgent and inviting, the kind of spread that makes people linger. "It felt like catching up with friends." One of the most meaningful parts of this tea is what happens between the courses, the décor, and the photos.

One of the many reasons our team truly loves this event is the chance it gives us to reconnect with our brides in such a meaningful way. We get to hear what life looks like now, laugh together, and pick up right where we left off.

Brides shared wedding photos from their own perspective, the moments they loved most, the unexpected memories, the little surprises. One bride told the story of changing into a black dress with a red cape for her reception after a Halloween wedding, a bold, unforgettable detail that perfectly captured her personality. Another bride’s mom shared that she keeps her Ava Laurenne memories close, even displaying them proudly and telling others about her experience.

And then there was one moment that quietly captured what our sisterhood truly means: a bride realized she thought she had been invited only because her wedding was this year. When she heard that she is always invited, every year, because she is our bride for life, it landed in a way that reminded us why this matters.

Sometimes people need to hear it again:

You are still ours. You are still welcome. You are always invited.

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Celebrating Our Ava Laurénne Royalty

During the tea, we also introduced pieces from our Ava Laurénne Royal line and shared something we believe deeply: our brides are Ava Laurénne royalty.

This line is for you. It’s a celebration of the experience you’ve stepped into and the sisterhood you’re part of. And we’re only getting started. From accessories to future additions, we love creating meaningful ways for our brides to carry a piece of Ava Laurénne with them long after their gown has been worn.

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The Kind of Day That Stays With You

There’s a moment, every year, when we look around the room and realize the same thing: we could stay here all day.

Because it isn’t just the beauty of the space, though it truly is breathtaking. It’s the sound of conversation layered with laughter. It’s the way brides smile as they raise their teacups for a toast. It’s the quiet catching up, the joy of remembering, and the feeling of being known.

This is why we host the tea.

To give our brides a place to come back to. To give them something festive and meaningful in the middle of a busy season. To remind them that what happened here wasn’t just an appointment. It was the beginning of a relationship.

To every bride who RSVP’d, arrived bundled up for the season, and took a seat at the table: thank you for bringing your joy into our space.

And to every Ava Laurénne Bride who hopes to join us next year, mark this as your reminder: spots always fill quickly, because this is one tradition our brides do not want to miss.

We cannot wait to welcome you back into the Christmas magic again next year.

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