Baptism countdown: 7 days

It is 1 week until Little I's baptism and the countdown is on. In contrast to a Little E's lavish 120 people golf club reception 3 years ago, we are hosting a tea party themed do in the church hall for 70 guests, mainly family and close friends.

This is only the china...

We thought it would be more cost effective and easier to do a DIY event but we forgot about my obsession with theming. We currently have boxes full of bone china tea sets won from eBay, found in charity shops and borrowed from friends stacked in every corner of the house/ In fact I have a trio (teacup, saucer and side plate) for every single guest. It took he 4hours to unpack, wash and package for transport it all today. I am aware this is madness but once I go down the road of a theme there is no turning back.

To add to the atmosphere we have paper doillies, twine and mini pink pens to turn into bunting. China cake platters and wire cake stands. Oh, and a vast selection of exotic teas to rival a top London hotel. The house looks like a warehouse.

One of many corners jammed with boxes

This week has to run with military precision. My main focus is the cake. I have covered the two fruit cake with marzipan but I still have to ice and decorate which will be time consuming as I have an ambitious design in mind. As the weekend looms I will be making homemade scones to serve along with finger sandwiches and other sweet treats.

Decor wise the bunting will be constructed on Saturday when we set up the hall but I have freestanding letters to decoupage and flowers to arrange in teacups, mini teapots and bud vases. It is going to be busy but it will be all worth it to see the theme come together on the day.

Washed and packed teacups

We have still spent a lot less than hiring the golf club but it works out more expensive than we estimated because when hiring a church hall you have to supply everything from the tablecloths, to the plates to the teaspoons. Luckily I have found a lot of bits in the 99p shop and we have bought the wine (I know it is a tea party but it would be rude not to!) from Lidl saving a small fortune. And it is nice for our guests not to have to put their hands in their pockets for once.

I'll update you later on in the week for a progress update and to give you a bit of fashion info on what the All about a Mummy ladies (Me, little E and Little I) will be wearing on the day.

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