Planning A Picnic Wedding: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a picnic wedding can be a great way to embrace a non-traditional style. It's a chance to get creative, whether you want to go for a casual or classic and fancy vibe. The beauty of a picnic wedding is that you can keep the decor minimal and choose a location you love. You can also be flexible with the date, and you don't need to worry about spilling all the wedding details upfront. However, it's important to prioritise the comfort of your guests and think about things like bug repellent and moisture seeping up from the ground. When it comes to food, the options are endless, from food trucks to potlucks, but it's best to stick to finger foods or dishes that are easy to serve and eat.

Invitations and dress code

When it comes to invitations and dress code, it's important to give your guests a general idea of your wedding's theme and any necessary details. Let them know what to expect, especially if you have a certain dress code in mind. You can ask your guests to come in casual attire or to be as dressed up as possible.

The beauty of a picnic wedding is that it can be delightfully casual or classic and fancy, depending on your preference. You can style it either way and embrace some non-traditional styles.

If you're planning on having a picnic wedding, it's a good idea to prioritise the comfort of your guests and the wedding party. Think about ways to make the experience more enjoyable. This could mean laying down a rubber mat under blankets and pillows to ensure no moisture seeps up from the ground, or investing in plenty of bug repellent to keep away gnats and mosquitos.

You can also keep your decor minimal, with a few floral arrangements, garlands, bunting or twinkling lights.

Food and drink

If you want to keep things simple, it's best to avoid serving foods that are difficult to eat. Stick to finger foods or dishes that can be served and eaten with ease, such as pasta salad. You could also provide a variety of snacks, such as fruit, vegetables, and dips.

If you're planning on serving alcohol, it's a good idea to have a variety of drinks available, including wine, beer, and cocktails. Don't forget to have plenty of non-alcoholic options as well, such as soft drinks, juice, and water.

When it comes to serving food and drinks, you'll need to set up a designated area. This could be a table or a buffet-style setup. Make sure you have enough plates, cups, and utensils for all your guests. It's also a good idea to have some extra blankets and pillows on hand to make your guests comfortable while they eat.

Finally, don't forget to consider the weather. If it's going to be hot, you'll need to make sure your food and drinks stay cool. You may also want to provide some shade for your guests. If it's going to be cold, you can provide hot drinks and snacks, and maybe even a fire pit to keep everyone warm.

Comfort and bug repellent

A picnic wedding can be casual or fancy, but comfort is key. To ensure your guests remain comfortable for hours, consider laying down a rubber mat under blankets and pillows to ensure no moisture seeps up from the ground. If you're on a hard floor, cover it with several layers of blankets and plush pillows.

Bug repellent is also important to keep your guests happy. Invest in plenty of it to keep away gnats and mosquitos.

The beauty of a picnic wedding is that you can keep your decor minimal. Floral arrangements, garlands, bunting or twinkling lights are pretty and simple. You could put floral arrangements on each picnic blanket or just on the dessert table.

The time of day, location and style of your wedding will dictate your entertainment. 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, volleyball and other activities are fun for guests.

Decorations and floral arrangements

Planning a picnic wedding is a great way to embrace non-traditional styles. The beauty of a picnic wedding is that you can keep your decor minimal, but there are still some things to consider.

Floral arrangements are a simple way to decorate your wedding. You could place them on each picnic blanket or just on the dessert table. If you want to add a little extra, you could also include garlands, bunting or twinkling lights.

If you're planning on having a daytime wedding, lawn games are a fun way to keep your guests entertained. Badminton, volleyball and other activities will ensure your guests remain comfortable and happy for hours.

It's also a good idea to think about a back-up location in case of bad weather. A picnic wedding is so low-key that you can easily shift plans without too much upset.

Entertainment and activities

When it comes to entertainment and activities, the time of day, location and style of your wedding will dictate what you can do. 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 for guests.

You could also prep a back-up location, such as a private home, in case of inclement weather. This is the beauty of a picnic wedding – it’s so low-key that you can shift plans without too much upset.

When it comes to food, you have infinite options at a picnic wedding: bring in a food truck, ask your favourite restaurant to cater, have a potluck, set up a DIY sandwich bar, do formal passed apps, or pack a bagged lunch for each guest. You’ll want to avoid serving foods that are difficult to eat, such as soups, and stick to finger foods or dishes like pasta salad that can be served and eaten with ease.

Remember, just because it’s a picnic doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider your guests and their experience. Prioritise their comfort and think about ways to make the experience more enjoyable. This could mean laying down a rubber mat under blankets and pillows to ensure no moisture seeps up from the ground, investing in plenty of bug repellent to keep away gnats and mosquitos, or covering a hardwood or concrete floor with several layers of blankets and plush pillows so your guests remain comfortable for hours.

Frequently asked questions