Sorry, I only know a bit about the informal one.

All I know about the formal one is that it uses a different type of tea.
Koi-cha (or 'Thick Tea').

A meal (small, not to satisfy hunger, they say) could be server. That
would be done before the tea.

The guests would come in through the outer rouji the through the inner
rouji. There would be a basin for washing their hands, with a stone lamp
near by. There would be a waiting arbour for the guests to sit in awaiting
the host (who might bang a gong to anounce when things are ready for them
to come in.) A kazari setsuin (ornamental privy - not for use!) would be
there for the guests to view the cleanliness of the host. (Another one
would be somewhere - kafuku setsuin - for use.

The guests should all talk quietly whilst in the arbour, and wear
traditional clothes. They should all have their items - napkins, fans,
towel, knife for foods, etc. Usually all of this is in the obi - the
napkin would hang from the obi, folded in the right way.

The host will come and ask the guests to the tea room. Only the head guest
will reply. The host will lead them, showing them the setsuin (ornamental
one). The hot will have gone back to the tea room, and the guests take a
leaisurly walk around the inner rouji, letting the host make sure that
every thing is ready. When they get to the water basin, the main guests
should use it to wash hands... then the other two. All should be behind
each other, no standikng next to each other, etc.

Then they get to the tea room. They go in, main guest first, through the
guest enterance, and then start going around the room and admiring the
wall hanging/flowers/etc. The last guest (normally 3rd guest) should
close the guest door, letting the host know that all the guests are
inside. Then they'll sit down, in the right space for each of them, and
the host will do sumi-temae - making up the fire. Then the light meal is
served.Maybe sake, too.

The guests go back out to the arbour and wait for the next part - the
actual tea. ^_^

Then the guests and host can talk, or whatever the host wishes for them to
do.. Then, at the end, the guests will all leave, and the host will clean
up.

That's about all I know... (or have read!)

Kun-chan...
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