The quality of my vintage tea hire service is by far one of the main stand out features of Vintage Flair. I’ve worked exceptionally hard over the past 10 years to build a collection of high quality vintage tea sets and I’d like to explain, how and why, this reflects in the price I charge.

MY VINTAGE HIRE STOCK

Gold Gilt, Fine Bone China

My entire vintage china tea service collection is made up of fine bone china, from the tea cups and saucers to the 3-tier cake stands and teapots. Each vintage china piece has gold gilt detail and edging which really ties the hire collection together. The gold gilt ranges from 7 to 22 carrat and gives a real luxurious look to the china items.

Silver plate cutlery

The whole vintage silverware collection is in silverplate. I have full dinner service cutlery in silverplate kings pattern which looks very elegant, especially the gems I have with monogram detailing; I always wonder if they were once a wedding gift. My vintage teaspoons, sugar tongs, pastry forks and serving spoons, all silver plated, are in a variety of vintage designs.

Vintage Crystal Glassware

My vintage glassware collection was only added to my hire offering in 2018 as it took 6 moths of product sourcing to be able to launch. The collection comprises of vintage crystal champagne saucers which are perfect for vintage champagne afternoon tea parties and have been a big hit this autumn. The vintage hire collection also includes a selection of vintage crystal wine glasses and vintage crystal water glasses.

Duos and Trios

The majority of my vintage tea sets have been collected as complete tea services, allowing me to be able to offer matching vintage tea cups and saucers and also matching tea plates, for those wanting the traditional vintage tea and cake hire service. There is great elegance in seeing a vintage tea cup with its matching saucer and tea plate and I’m sure you can imagine purchasing these complete sets is far more costly than purchasing mis-matched pieces.

THE CONDITION OF MY VINTAGE HIRE COLLECTION

I’ve mentioned the quality of my vintage tea sets, now combine that with with the first class condition of the collection and this is why it looks so perfect. My fine bone china is in perfect condition; free from crazing (the fine lines you see on some damaged vintage china pieces), free from staining (often a result of the crazing just mentioned) and also free form any chips or cracks. They are genuine vintage pieces that look like new. I often get asked if my stock is new due to its fabulous condition and so many people are surprised to hear it is genuine vintage.

THE PERSONAL TOUCH

My vintage hire collection is safely stored in crates on big industrial racking. People often assume I simply grab the required crates and deliver to my clients, however, what is often unknown is that I take my hire stock and I pack each order according to the clients requirements. For example if you are having a baby shower the chances are you would like predominantly pink or blue stock, or if you want a tea station at your French Chateau wedding, I will select all of my blue and pastel shades to work with your colour chart. My service is totally personal to your requirements whether it’s regarding colours or patterns you require or colours you would like to avoid. Once your order has been packed it is then delivered at an agreed time and date and I offer great flexibility with my delivery and hire collection, often delivering during the evening or at the weekend, to suit your requirements. Due to the nature of the vintage pieces, I also have to hand wash the items. This has to be done in a method that ensures they are perfectly clean and hygienic for the next customer; another of my quality check points within the hire process.

I hope this has been a useful eye opener into my vintage hire service and why it can often be the most expensive quote you recieve. There is a saying ‘you get what you pay for’ and regarding my service, this is very true.