Incorporating a cool theme into your bridal shower can turn it into a fun and interesting occasion.  An afternoon tea party theme can be used in a whimsical way to break the ice and liven up the shower, especially when not all of the guests are familiar with each other.  Encourage everyone to get involved, including the bride!

If you want your guests to arrive prepared, make sure their invitation states that they are invited for an afternoon tea party.  Hint that they bring items to help lighten the mood, such as fancy gloves, hankies or hats that they can wear during the shower.  Getting the guests involved before the shower means fewer surprises during the shower and gives them an idea as to what they can expect.  There will always be some guests who won't feel comfortable participating, so don't let them get you down. 

It's also a great idea to have some extra costume pieces for guests who don't have anything at home that they can bring with them.   

The best way to get the emotion of an afternoon tea is to serve tea in fancy tea pots.  Borrow these from friends and family if you don't have them yourself.  Just be careful with them to make sure they don't break.  You'll also require fancy tea cups and saucers and inspire everyone to drink with their pinkie fingers in the air!  Make it light-hearted and turn it into a shower game!

You can also use tea pots as vases and fill them with fresh flowers.  These would make excellent centerpieces, sitting on a handkerchief or embroidered cloth. 

Along with the tea, serve small sandwiches filled with cream cheese and cucumber slices.  Scones with homemade preserves and thick cream are also appropriate for this theme.  Small cookies and squares will add some diversity to your party menu.

An afternoon tea bridal shower isn't complete without, of course, the tea.  But don't feel limited to only this beverage.  You can serve iced tea, coffee, or punch as well, but keep in the spirit by serving all of the drinks in tea cups.

If you have lots of space, set up small tables with four or five chairs at each table for the emotion of smaller parties going on at the same time.  If tea is the main beverage, you can set up one pot per table and let your guests help themselves.

Keep the bride involved in the theme by providing some tea party garb for her.  She may appreciate the theme since it will take some of the attention and pressure off of her as the guests get caught up in their tea party.  Having a theme also helps to keep the festivities going without those awkward silences that often happen because it gives people who don't have a lot in common something to talk about.

The most notable thing to remember is to have fun.  Get buy-in on the theme from the people helping you with the shower because you and your friends will be the role models for the day.  Your enthusiasm will be passed on to your guests and that's what will really make the event special.