井伊直弼: after the 茶事, the host should wait at the entry of the 露地 until the guests are out of sight. It would be a pity if the guests saw him close the gate, destroying all that was before. Then, the host shouldn't hurry, but return to the 茶実, and think back of the gathering, and maybe enjoy a bowl of tea himself.
Rodrigues in CQ80 gives an excellent account on what's the general procedure.
CQ82 describes how the first half of the 茶事, when the food is served, is governed by the principle of yin (darkness, secrecy); and the second half, by contrast, when the tea is served, by the principle of yang.
Preparation
Larry explained in 22 that even though in Japan you can pay people to do it for you; the 灰型 (and cleaning of the toilet) are the minimum things that the host should do himself during a 茶事.
Shopping List
足袋
茶巾
茶筅
箸 (for guests, for 焼物, 香の物, 八寸 and sweets)
Variations
暁の茶事: The dawn 茶事, mainly done in 炉, according to the Almanac (though I would've thought that it might be nice to do this in the middle of summer…?). One of the highlights is watching the wet 釜 dry while 懐石 is served. It starts at 0400, so the host stays up all night to prepare.