The Kentucky Castle

Dressing the part for the tea was a bit of a challenge in deciding the time frame on which to focus.  The show encompassed the timeline from 1912 to 1926.  My friend Natalie and I focused on the Edwardian period, which is at the start of the show.

My outfit was a challenge as I was dealing with shipping delays due to the bad weather and dresses selling out.  I received one dress that I liked but the zipper was broken and I had to return it.  At the last minute, the dress I loved came back in stock and I ordered it!  The white lace fabric was delicious and even better than I had expected.

I added a cameo brooch from my family in addition to my Grandmother’s hat.  The wig was styled to mimic Lady Cora’s hair style in the below photo.  Hair styling is a challenge but I am getting better.

My dear friend Natalie helped me out with researching clothing and afternoon tea in the Edwardian period.  Natalie worked for three months compiling research on the clothing, hats, etiquette, hair styles and tea. I am blessed to have such a caring and talented friend.  Putting together these events is nerve wracking at times.  Natalie’s calming presence helps me get through the preparation for these events.

Natalie brought clothing from the Edwardian period as well as postcards from the era.  It really brings the era to life when people can touch and see these garments in person.

Isn’t Natalie’s hat delicious?  It is vintage and was from the 1912 period.  It is beaverette. The ostrich feathers and plaid silk ribbon are original.

Natalie made her outfit. Isn’t it fabulous? I love the berry color.  It was quite a feat and I think she did a great job capturing the feel of the Edwardian period.  Natalie is a talented designer who recreates clothing in many different periods.

As favors, I gave out tea samples with a gold spoon.  I always like for guests to have a treat to take home as a memory from the event.  Putting together the favors was time consuming, putting all the pieces together and tying the bows.

It was such a pleasure to speak at the Kentucky Castle.  The soft glow of the lights, along with shimmering gold touches in the room created the perfect atmosphere for the guests.

So many wonderful memories from the day.  I feel blessed to do what I love, surrounded by wonderful people, teaching afternoon tea etiquette and history in a such a glorious setting.

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With Natalie channeling my Georgian past life.

I often think that I am the luckiest person in the world because I get to play “dress up” in my job as an Afternoon Tea Etiquette instructor/educator.

When Sally from the Kentucky Castle mentioned a Georgian/Regency theme for a tea, I was thrilled.  Why? I really enjoy dressing up in period clothing and escaping to another time.  The Georgian/Regency period features beautiful fashion with unlimited options.

Outfit wise, it was easier than you might think.  There were many different levels and pieces but they mostly came together easily.  I found my dress immediately.   Next, a hoop skirt was needed.  That was the fun part!  It was surprisingly easy to walk in and created a breeze as I moved. The earrings came from a designer in Portugal.  The fan and reticule were items that I already owned.  The hat was from the Colonial Williamsburg period.  I added a satin burgundy trim on the brim edge to define the brim and make a statement.   The ensemble was comfortable.

With Jane Hale and Kail Po.

The real challenge was the hairdo.  Of course, isn’t it always?  Natalie and I purchased wigs, perused books and online sources such as YouTube to research hair styles during the Georgian period.  Making the wigs look historically authentic was a daunting task at best.   Georgian hairstyles were completely over the top. We placed padding inside the wigs to add height.  I had almost given up on the wig, but it all came together the night before.  Thank goodness!

The ladies who attended the tea dressed up!

It was so fun to see the ladies who attended the tea.  They dressed up and really added a lot to the event.

The Kentucky Castle was the perfect venue for this tea.  It is an elegant setting, and everything was well planned.  

The china was lovely and captured the essence of the tea perfectly. 

I talked about etiquette and especially court etiquette during the time of Queen Charlotte.  There was a great deal of pressure was on the young women to make “good matches” for their families.  I described Queen Charlotte’s life and the upheavals during her reign.  I also explained the language of fans to send messages at a gathering.  Everyone loved that!  I created a Regency themed IQ test for the guests and everyone did well as three people tied for first place.

Finally, the weather was phenomenal.  A perfect autumn day! The castle looked beautiful and created the ideal setting for

guests to enjoy the tea.

Disclaimer: Neither Polly Singer or The Kentucky Castle is affiliated with Netflix, Shondaland Productions, Julia Quinn or any other entity associated with the Bridgerton Books or Series.

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In April, I partnered with renowned Holly Hill Inn chef, Quita Michel to host my 2^nd annual Hat Tea event at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington.  We put on a Kentucky Derby hat fashion show and lovely afternoon tea.

This special event was the launching point for my Savannah Spring Hat collection as well my new artisan tea collection, featuring five hand-blended, loose leaf teas.

At the Hat Tea, guests were treated to a shopping experience where they were encouraged to have fun experimenting with all of the elegant and spirited hats in my new collection! 

With so many upcoming Spring events on the calendar, it was a great joy to help ladies find their own personal best look.

We had a tea-tasting station where guests could sample all the hand-blended teas in my new collection. As a native Kentuckian, I’m proud to have partnered with the world-famous Elmwood Inn, located right here in Kentucky, to create this delicious line of artisan teas.

We are all treated to a classic afternoon tea menu, designed, created and thoughtfully presented by Quita Michel and it did not disappoint!

 

 

Pimm’s Cups and Peach Bellini’s were available and the mixologists at Fasig-Tipton also created a wonderful mocktail with my Belle’s Butterfly Fascinator tea, lemonade and honey- delicious and so refreshing!

If you think an afternoon tea is not a substantial source of sustenance…think again!

As a certified Afternoon Tea Etiquette trainer, it was my pleasure to present a talk on Tea Etiquette for my guests.

 

I talked about tea fashion, host gifts and included a presentation with model, Katherine Barr on how to best pair a hat with an outfit that has a print, which is sometimes a challenging endeavor!

 

During Tea Service models weaved their way through the elegantly appointed dining tables, showcasing different hats to inspire ideas and fashion possibilities for everyone… 

Michaela and the entire Holly Hill Inn / Fasig-Tipton staff exceeded expectations, bringing this already elevated experience to the next level with their service and attention to detail.

It was a successful and absolutely splendid afternoon.

I want to thank everyone who joined me for this beautiful day of elegant hats and gorgeous teas and, still much needed, in-person connection.

It was a joy and I plan to continue this annual Hat Tea tradition every April!

In the meantime… wear your hats with confidence and enjoy a meaningful break from stress with a daily cup of tea in the afternoon!

Lots of love,

Polly

 

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