Tips for your elopement picnic
Having a picnic on your elopement day is one possibility to make this day extra special, celebrating your life-long commitment to each other with some food and drinks. An elopement picnic allows you to stay in your favorite scenic location while enjoying a quiet moment together on your elopement day.
The good thing is that you decide what you want to pack, what food and drinks to bring, and the location of your picnic. This is particularly true if you have specific dietary requirements, like allergies, or if you're just a picky eater; in such cases, an elopement picnic could be a perfect alternative to dining at a restaurant or hotel.
Ideas for food and drinks for your elopement picnic
Certainly, you can bring anything you like for your elopement picnic, but perhaps think about incorporating your favorite dishes or cuisine to make it a uniquely personal experience. You can always mix and match the ideas below or add some of your own.
When bringing food, consider the season in which you elope - a cheese plate in a hot car in August may melt quite rapidly. So make sure to pack and store the food safely or pick food that lasts even when not refrigerated (especially if you elope in a remote area).
Food:
Finger Foods: Cheese & crackers, fresh fruit, and vegetable sticks.
Charcuterie: Cured meats, a cheese plate, olives, nuts, and dried fruits.
Light Sandwiches: Caprese, turkey and cranberry, and smoked salmon bagels.
Salads: Quinoa with veggies, Greek salad, and mixed greens with vinaigrette.
Dips and Spreads: Hummus, guacamole, or a feta dip.
Sweets: Chocolate-covered strawberries, macarons, mini cupcakes, pralines, and maybe a small wedding cake.
Drinks:
Sparkling Beverages: Champagne, sparkling water with fruit slices, and non-alcoholic sparkling drinks e.g. cider
Cocktails: Pre-mixed cocktails, mojitos, or sangria in a portable container, or a customized signature drinks.
Hot Beverages: Thermos of hot cocoa, flavored teas or herbal infusions, and coffee in a travel-friendly container.
Non-Alcoholic Options: Lemonade or iced tea, fruit-infused water, and juices.
Additional things to pack for your elopement picnic
In order to consume your food, of course, you will need some utensils like the ones listed below. Think of all the dishes you have to bring and add the right equipment for your picnic. Whenever possible, invest in items you can reuse for future events or consider borrowing from family and friends.
Reusable Utensils and Plates: Bring lightweight and reusable items for easy cleanup.
Blanket or Picnic Mat: Choose a comfortable and water-resistant blanket for sitting.
Glasses or Champagne Flutes: For toasting and enjoying your beverages.
Portable Cooler or Insulated Bag: Keep perishable items cool, especially in warm weather.
Trash Bags: Pack a small bag for easy cleanup and to leave the area as you found it.
Add decorations for your elopement picnic
Of course, your elopement picnic can be simple, but also as extravagant as you want it to be. In particular, elopement couples aiming for a unique experience may choose to hire a planner who can organize and coordinate everything seamlessly (refer to point 6). Here are some examples you may include in your picnic set-up:
Blanket or Tablecloth: Choose a decorative fabric that complements your color scheme.
Candles: Use flameless candles or small lanterns for a romantic glow (no open fires).
Flowers: Opt for small bouquets or scattered flower petals for a natural touch.
String Lights: Hang fairy lights or string lights on nearby trees or branches (use solar lights).
Photo Display: Set up a small display with photos of you or your loved ones.
Table Centerpiece: Place your wedding cake in the middle of your table.
Picnic Basket: Decorate your picnic basket with personalized items.
Themed Decor: Incorporate elements related to your interests or personal heirlooms.
Personalized Blanket: Bring a blanket with your names or wedding date embroidered.
Signage: Create a personalized sign or banner with your names and elopement date.
When planning your elopement picnic decor, think about what you can carry, how accessible the location is, and consider using natural elements like flowers or stones for décor (but don’t take anything away from the place you are in e.g. don’t pick any flowers there). Avoid anything that could harm the environment.
Leave no trace
Following the "Leave no trace" principles is crucial, especially when celebrating in natural or public spaces. The outdoors is for everyone to enjoy, so make sure you clean up after yourselves. The most important rule is that the place should look like before you arrived there (maybe even cleaner than before). Bring a trash bag to clean up after yourselves. Ensure that all waste is properly disposed of and leave no litter behind.
Some examples:
Music: Keep the volume at a level that won't disturb wildlife or other visitors to the area.
Waste Disposal: Double-check that all waste, including any food scraps, is properly disposed of. Avoid bringing items that are difficult to clean up.
Decor: Make sure they are environmentally friendly. For example, consider biodegradable items.
Vendors: Choose vendors who follow the Leave no trace principles.
Consider the weather
Depending on your season and your location, you may always think of a Plan B or bring weather-appropriate gear such as extra blankets or umbrellas. Although taking photos in the rain can be enjoyable, hosting an outdoor picnic presents challenges, particularly when dealing with delicate foods. Wind can also be a disturbing factor, so maybe choose a location that is protected e.g. by rocks or trees.
Hire a planner for your picnic
For most couples, setting up a picnic seems an easy task. But when it comes to planning their elopement day, many realize that they already have a pretty tight schedule and therefore no time to set up the picnic themselves, including cleaning it up and making or picking up the food. Setting up the picnic table on your elopement day is just the last step in a long planning process:
Creating a mood-board and revising it constantly, keeping in mind your overall budget.
Contacting the perfect vendors for your style (spoiler: not everyone is willing to drive to a remote location) and there even are areas where there are no vendors available.
Planning and coordinating the individual table decor elements. For example in the picture below: There is the decorations itself (furniture, place settings, dishes, napkins, candles, tablecloth), then the cake and macarons, the flowers (vases, table flowers, boutonniere, bouquets), and the stationary (name tags, menus, personal notes). On top, we usually have custom beverages (here some warm tea and mulled wine). So depending on the set-up, there can be up to 5 vendors involved only for a small picnic.
The ongoing communication to make sure everyone sticks to the timetable, knows where to park and where to go exactly.
The day before, I visit all the locations (hotel, ceremony spot, photo location, picnic location) to make sure there have not been any last-minute changes (e.g. unannounced roadblocks).
On the day itself, I make sure everyone and everything is in the right place at the right time, ensuring the photographer can capture all the perfect little details. I also handle the last-minute placement of the food and cake to prevent them from melting in the sun.
Your picnic budget is entirely up to you and can vary significantly based on your preferences. Feel free to reach out for a personalized quote tailored to your location, setup, food and drink preferences, and any additional extras you may desire. A planner can handle the pick-up of smaller items such as flowers, stationery, or the cake. This way, not every vendor needs to drive to the remote location, contributing to both environmental conservation and cost savings for you.
Most importantly, when you have a planner to set up your picnic, you can experience the joy of simply arriving in a scenic location where everything is already prepared for you - so you can just enjoy the picnic without worrying about anything. Having an elopement picnic can be a great way to celebrate your day in a very unique and intimate way.
Planning by: www.anne-we-weddings.com Photos by: www.justyouphotography.de & pexels
