It's Tea Time: Burke Resident Forms Her Own Tea Party Business

One Burke resident’s childhood experiences making tea with her grandmother has led her to form her own tea party business.

RSVTea offers themed tea parties for various events such as bridal showers and children’s teas that combine education, elegance and tradition. 

“Tea time is something you share with people you care about or have commonalities with,” said Brenda Flores-Lopez, the “Tea Party Lady.”

Although Flores-Lopez’s background is in human resources, she has always dreamed of owning her own business. She began looking into the world of tea parties when she was leading a women’s ministry group at church. Six years ago, she began to consider starting a tea business when she hosted a Mom and Me tea with her daughter.

“I found the idea to be very soothing as well as a unique way to bond and share the finer things in life by taking time out for tea,” Flores-Lopez said.

Her vision for the business came to fruition in April 2010.

 “[I felt] if I could grow the business in a slow economy… the sky’s the limit on the flip side,” Flores-Lopez said.

This wife and mother of two has been a Burke resident for nearly 12 years.

“We are a small yet diverse enough community to appreciate a little tea in our lives,” Flores-Lopez said.

Although Flores-Lopez enjoys coordinating and hosting adult tea parties, children’s tea parties are her specialty. She works to introduce children to the history of tea, manners, and every day social graces that they can use throughout their lives in various settings.

She decorates each party with items to coincide with each theme and is open to a customer’s vision. She enjoys that each event is different, which keeps things exciting and fresh. Her best-selling tea parties are the Mom and Me Teas and her favorite tea themes are American Girl and Princess Teas.

“I strive to develop themes that will bring people together for enjoyment and cultural appreciation,” Flores-Lopez said.

“My girls, ages 8 and 10, really enjoyed the finger foods and the fun crafts,” said Sally Reddy, who attended a Christmas tea event. “I appreciated having an opportunity to dress up with my daughters and go out to an elegant party with them. It was a great opportunity for all of us to practice our table manners while enjoying good food and fun company.”

Valerie Tripp, Author of many American Girl books, participated in an RSVTea party as well. “Brenda Lopez created an atmosphere that was gracious without being the least bit stiff,” Tripp said. “There was plenty of giggling and lots of happy chatter as the girls and their mothers made friends with the others at their tables. It was a friendly, stimulating, and beautifully organized event from start to finish.”

The tea used for the parties are purchased from different local and specialty venues.  She likes to incorporate a different tea at each event that correlates with the teatime.

A tea party can be large scale or a simple gathering, but no matter the size of the event, Flores-Lopez's goal is always to be elegant and special. Traditional tea finger foods such as cucumber sandwiches, scones and other sweet-tooth favorites are provided at each event.  While Flores-Lopez has created some of the delicious treats herself, she also enlists local bakeries and caterers.

Currently, Flores-Lopez travels to tea party locations within Fairfax County including Clifton, Burke, and Vienna, carrying all the supplies for each event with her. She would love to open a children and special events tea room at a physical store in the future. She also has been toying with new themed parties for boys, a suggestion from her son, such as party themes like “T-Rex Adventure" and “Pirate T.”

“I hope to also be an inspiring and personable business owner no matter how small or how large RSVTea ultimately becomes,” Flores-Lopez said.

She hopes to one day hold a tea party for underprivileged girls, a goal inspired by her daughter.

"Dinner on the Titanic," an event she's holding April 10 in Burke, features Jamey Long, author of “An Opossum’s Night on the Titanic,” along with menu items and historical facts themed on the Titanic.

For more information on RSVTea visit www.rsvtea.com.