Why Choosing Vintage China for Your Wedding Reception is a Brilliant Idea

thevintageteaservi
Jul 30
3 min read

Updated: Aug 12

If you've decided to go vintage for your wedding reception, you've made a fantastic choice! Planning your wedding involves many big decisions. You want everything to look just right. Choosing the right vintage hire business for your crockery can feel overwhelming. How do you know what china you'll receive? What will the quality be like? By the end of this article, I hope you'll have a clear understanding of what The Vintage Tea Service offers and the exceptional service you'll receive.

The Importance of Communication

The most crucial aspect of providing vintage china for your wedding is great communication. Transparency and a professional approach are key. The process is more akin to being an event planner than merely selecting a few plates for serving food! From the moment you reach out to us until days after your wedding, we will stay in touch.

"We used The Vintage Tea Service for an afternoon tea reception for our wedding. It was absolutely beautiful and made everything seem magical. Sarah was professional and efficient, ensuring everything was in order, which I was really grateful for since there are so many things to think about when planning a wedding! We would highly recommend. Thank you very much." - Maria & Simon, July 2025.

The Process of Choosing Your Vintage China

Once we have our initial discussions about colours and patterns, I will curate a selection of china that aligns with your vision. For instance, I once created a mood board for a client who wanted an informal, relaxed vibe with summer flowers and colours. Their wedding was set in a charming village hall next to a beautiful sandstone church.

The couple opted for long tables, enhancing the relaxed atmosphere of the reception.

First Selection of China

Here is the first selection of china for the wedding:

Once the couple reviews and approves the mood board, we move on to compiling all suggested china, glassware, and linens. This information is documented in a Suggested Items document. Here, we discuss the china, the quantities needed, and any changes that may arise. We can communicate via email, Zoom, or face-to-face meetings. I personally love the face-to-face meetings! They allow us to meet, and I can bring along examples of the china to showcase its quality and how beautifully it works together. Seeing the china in person gives you a true sense of its texture, appearance, and how the colours complement each other—something that’s hard to convey through a Zoom call or images sent via email.

Planning the Table Settings

The next step is to plan the china layout based on the table arrangements—whether round or long—and how many guests will be seated at each table. We’ll discuss your preferences for teacups, saucers, and tea plates. If you have specific ideas, we’ll note them down and agree on the final plan. If you’d like a visual layout, just ask!

Next, we’ll decide who will set up the venue. If you choose one of our wedding packages that includes catering, I’ll handle the setup as part of the price per head.

Finalizing the Details

With all decisions made and the plan in place, you’ll receive a final document—a lovely e-brochure that encapsulates the entire process. It serves as a memento of your planning journey!

Getting the Venue Wedding Ready

All the planning and discussions are about to come to life as we set up the wedding tables. We’ll agree on when I can access the venue for setup. I usually prefer to arrive the day before; it takes about three hours to prepare for a wedding of 60 guests. I’m meticulous about presentation! If the couple is around, it’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase the tables and discuss any last-minute changes.

Congratulations on your marriage! It’s time to enjoy a beautiful wedding reception.

Why Choose The Vintage Tea Service?

Hopefully, you now understand why The Vintage Tea Service is the ideal china supplier for your wedding. Here’s what you can expect:

A warm, friendly, professional service
Excellent communication
Quality vintage china and accessories
A wide selection

If you're exploring suppliers, here are my top five tips for choosing a vintage china provider for your wedding:

Top Tips for Choosing a Vintage China Supplier

Check their website: It will give you a good indication of their business and offerings.
Meet in person: Get a feel for the supplier. You’ll rely on them to provide a crucial part of your day.
Read reviews: Look at their website, Google, Instagram, and Facebook for customer feedback.
Research third-party bookings: If you’re booking through a site like Add to Event, don’t just rely on their quote. Research the supplier further. Many people overlook this step!
View the china: It’s your day and your vision. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to ask for changes.