Planning a Tea Ceremony at Home: Tips for a Stress-Free & Beautiful Day
Hosting a tea ceremony at home is a beautiful way to honour tradition while keeping the day intimate and personal. With careful planning and thoughtful styling, you can create a ceremony that is elegant, meaningful, and stress-free for you and your family.
At Mâm & Co, we help couples navigate each detail, from the timing and layout to the styling of mâm qua gift trays, floral arrangements, and ceremonial décor.
Timing & Schedule
Tea ceremonies usually start early in the morning, around 8:00–10:00AM. Starting early allows:
The day to flow calmly
Guests to arrive and settle in
Plenty of time for photos and ceremonial rituals
We recommend setting up the day before if possible. This ensures that everything is in place, and you and your family can focus on the ceremony itself rather than logistics.
For my own tea ceremony, we began at 8:30AM, a traditional early start believed to invite prosperity and good fortune for the couple. We also chose to hold the ceremony a week before the wedding, which created a calm, stress-free experience and allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the moment, enjoying every ritual, blessing, and detail without distraction.
Space & Layout
Whether you have a spacious home or a cosy apartment, careful consideration of the layout is key:
Entrance: Create a welcoming space with florals, lanterns, or arches to set the tone for the day
Ancestral altar: Ensure it is centrally visible, with mâm qua gift trays beautifully arranged
Seating: Allocate enough space for family and elders, and plan areas for photography
Even small spaces can feel luxurious and organised with the right styling.
Styling Tips
Your attire and ceremony colours can guide your decor choices:
Let the Áo Dài or wedding palette inform your floral, linen, and tray colours
Include traditional items like fruit, sticky rice, betel leaves, and areca nuts for authenticity
Consider modern touches such as elegant plinths, bespoke trays, or soft lighting
Every element should be curated to honour tradition while reflecting your family’s unique story.
Flow of the Day
A typical home ceremony might include:
Arrival of guests and groom’s party
Fun door games (optional)
Formal welcome and mâm qua gift tray presentation
Tea ceremony and blessings
Family photos and celebrations
Banquet or casual refreshments
Building in leeway for delays ensures the day is calm and enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
With thoughtful planning, attention to detail, and cultural heart, a home tea ceremony can be both luxurious and deeply meaningful. At Mâm & Co, we help couples create ceremonies that are memorable, elegant, and stress-free, letting you focus on being present with your loved ones.
