Tea Etiquette
The traditional time for afternoon tea is four o'clock. Today, most hotels and tearooms serve from three to five o'clock with the hours often stretched slightly in either direction. Along with a choice of teas, there are three distinct courses:
savones (tiny sandwiches) first to blunt the appetite,
then scones, and finally,
pastries.
Afternoon tea has also been called "low tea" because it was taken at low tables placed beside armchairs. (It's never properly referred to as "high tea".)
invitations
Invitations may be extended and accepted by telephone, face-to-face, or by mailing them at least a week in advance. Depending on the geographic location, perhaps two weeks or longer in advance is not unreasonable. Invitations may be informal or engraved, handwritten in calligraphy, or by a calligraphy computer program.
Invite a close friend or two also as "pourers" and set up a schedule of when each will be "on duty" dispensing tea. No one should pour for more than fifteen or twenty minutes. It is an honor to be asked to pour tea. The pourer is considered the guardian of the teapot, 'which implies sterling social graces and profound trust.
teatime
Traditional teatime is four o'clock; however any time between two and five o'clock is appropriate for certain areas.