Planning A Picnic Wedding: A Guide To Getting Started

Planning a picnic wedding is a great way to embrace a casual, creative and non-traditional style. The beauty of a picnic wedding is that you can keep your decor minimal, choosing a location you love, and you're not limited to a specific time of year. However, it's important to prioritise the comfort of your guests and wedding party, and to give them notice of the theme and any dress code. You'll also want to consider the time of day, location and style of your wedding when it comes to entertainment, and whether you want to hire a band or play music, be mindful of local ordinances restricting amplified sound.

Food: choose from food trucks, catering, potlucks, DIY sandwich bars, formal apps or packed lunches

Planning a picnic wedding is a great way to embrace creativity and non-traditional styles. When it comes to food, the options are endless. You could bring in a food truck, ask your favourite restaurant to cater, or have a potluck. If you're feeling extra creative, set up a DIY sandwich bar or pack a bagged lunch for each guest. For a more formal affair, you can do passed apps, but be sure to avoid foods that are difficult to eat, such as soups. Stick to finger foods or dishes that can be easily served and eaten, such as pasta salad.

If you're going for a casual vibe, a food truck or potluck might be the perfect option. Food trucks offer a fun and unique dining experience, while a potluck encourages guests to bring their favourite dishes, adding a personal touch.

For a more formal picnic wedding, catering or passed apps could be the way to go. Catering ensures a professional and elegant dining experience, while passed apps allow guests to mingle and enjoy a variety of delicious bites.

Don't forget to prioritise the comfort of your guests. Consider laying down rubber mats under blankets and pillows to keep moisture at bay, and invest in bug repellent to keep gnats and mosquitoes at bay. You could also cover hardwood or concrete floors with plush pillows and blankets, creating a cosy and inviting space for your guests to relax and enjoy the celebration.

The beauty of a picnic wedding is that you can keep the decor minimal and let the food take centre stage. Whether you opt for a food truck, catering, or a DIY approach, your guests are sure to be delighted by the unique and memorable dining experience you create.

Location: pick a location you love, and prepare a back-up in case of bad weather

When it comes to location, the beauty of a picnic wedding is that you can choose a place that you love. You can keep the decor minimal, with a few floral arrangements, garlands, bunting or twinkling lights. If you're planning an outdoor wedding, make sure you have a back-up location, such as a private home, in case of bad weather.

When choosing your location, consider the time of day and style of your wedding. If you want to hire a band or play music, be mindful of local ordinances restricting amplified sound. If you’re having a daytime wedding, lawn games, badminton, and volleyball are fun activities for guests.

To ensure your guests remain comfortable, consider laying down a rubber mat under blankets and pillows to prevent moisture from seeping up from the ground. Invest in bug repellent to keep away gnats and mosquitoes, and consider covering a hardwood or concrete floor with several layers of blankets and plush pillows.

Decor: keep it minimal with floral arrangements, garlands, bunting or twinkling lights

Decorating your picnic wedding is a great opportunity to keep things simple and minimal. You can opt for a few floral arrangements, garlands, bunting, or twinkling lights to create a pretty and romantic atmosphere.

Floral arrangements can be placed on each picnic blanket or just on the dessert table, adding a touch of elegance to your celebration. You can also hang garlands and bunting to create a festive and whimsical feel. If your wedding is in the evening or at night, twinkling lights will add a magical touch to your decor.

When it comes to picnic weddings, comfort is key. Consider laying down rubber mats under blankets and pillows to ensure your guests stay dry and comfortable, especially if your wedding is on grass or another outdoor surface. Investing in bug repellent is also a good idea to keep unwanted guests like gnats and mosquitos at bay.

The beauty of a picnic wedding is that you can choose a location you love and let it speak for itself. By keeping your decor minimal, you can highlight the natural beauty of your chosen venue and create a relaxed and intimate atmosphere for you and your guests to enjoy.

Dress code: let your guests know whether to dress up or down

When it comes to a picnic wedding, the dress code is entirely up to you. You can ask your guests to dress up or keep it casual. Whatever you decide, it's a good idea to let your guests know in advance so they can plan their outfits. You could include this information on your wedding invitations, giving your guests a general idea of the theme and any other necessary details.

If you're going for a casual vibe, let your guests know that they can come as they are and feel comfortable. This could mean jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers, or even a more relaxed dress code like sundresses and sandals. On the other hand, if you want your guests to dress up, you can suggest cocktail attire or even black-tie, depending on how formal you want the event to be.

For the bride and groom, a picnic wedding offers a unique opportunity to get creative with your outfits. You can choose to go traditional with a wedding dress and suit, or mix it up with something more relaxed and fun. Perhaps a flowy maxi dress and a lightweight suit, or even a themed outfit that reflects your personality and the style of your wedding.

Don't forget to consider the weather and the location of your wedding when deciding on the dress code. If it's an outdoor wedding in the summer, you'll want to choose lightweight and breathable fabrics to keep your guests comfortable. Similarly, if it's a winter wedding, you might suggest layers to keep everyone warm. Ultimately, the dress code is a reflection of your personal style and the atmosphere you want to create for your special day.

Comfort: make sure your guests are comfortable with blankets, pillows and bug repellent

Planning a picnic wedding is a great way to embrace non-traditional styles and make your guests comfortable. Here are some ideas to ensure your guests are comfortable:

Blankets and pillows

If you're planning a picnic wedding, it's essential to consider your guests' comfort. Provide blankets and pillows to ensure your guests remain comfortable for hours. If the wedding is outdoors, consider laying down a rubber mat under the blankets and pillows to prevent moisture from seeping up from the ground.

Bug repellent

Invest in plenty of bug repellent to keep away gnats and mosquitoes. This will help create a pleasant environment for your guests and ensure they aren't constantly swatting away insects.

Backup location

While a picnic wedding is a wonderful idea, it's important to have a backup plan in case of inclement weather. Choose a private home or an indoor space as an alternative location to ensure your guests are comfortable and protected from the elements.

Food

When it comes to food, opt for finger foods or dishes that are easy to serve and eat, such as pasta salad. Avoid foods that are difficult to eat with your hands, like soups. You can bring in a food truck, cater from your favourite restaurant, or even set up a DIY sandwich bar!

Entertainment

The time of day, location, and style of your wedding will influence your entertainment choices. If you're having a daytime wedding, consider lawn games, badminton, or volleyball to keep your guests entertained and active.

Frequently asked questions