At their shop, you can bring your own hat or select one from their collection. But you certainly don't have to wear a hat, Gary said. She suggests that when issuing invitations to a tea party, you should invite your guests to wear hats, but make sure they know it's optional. Hats aren't for everyone. Tea, however, can be for everyone, she said.
Offer guests a choice of several kinds of tea.
Include an herbal tea and a green tea. Make iced tea, too. Set the table for a tea party, and don't worry about having enough matching china. She thinks it's more interesting that way. But Gary, who will be teaching classes in etiquette starting early next year, does think a table should be carefully set.