FOOD & DRINK
Picnic Perfect Take alfresco dining in a new direction by opting for a low-key wedding breakfast for your summer nuptials
There are undoubtedly numerous benefits to having a summer wedding, but one of them is that the weather should be on your side.
And, when the sun’ s out, alfresco dining becomes a possibility. Barbecues, buffets and banquets can all be enjoyed while you and your guests soak up the rays.
But, if you’ re looking for a way to make your wedding breakfast super relaxed and informal, then what about bringing the picnic, one of Britain’ s greatest traditions, to your big day?
Choose to host your wedding breakfast on checked blankets, or utilise the late summer evenings by providing picnic hampers so everyone can refuel and watch the sun set.
Picnic prep
Planning a wedding picnic isn’ t quite the same as rocking up to the local park with a hamper and some snacks. You’ ll need to speak to your venue about your ideas and get their help in making them a reality. The more your venue can help, the less you’ ll need to rely on outside assistance, so find out what they can supply and ask for their recommendations for any local hire companies that might be able to assist with any extras.
Keep it relaxed
Even though you’ re more likely to get glorious sunshine in the summer months, this is England after all, so there’ s no guarantee.
If you’ re planning to have a wedding picnic, make sure you have a back-up strategy just in case. You might be able to have a marquee or temporary fixture to keep you covered should the rain get in the way, or you could look at an indoor space where you can still keep the picnic vibes going but know that your Scotch eggs won’ t get soggy!
Less is more
It can be tempting to go overboard with decorations and accessories to add to your picnic aesthetic, but the more elements you bring in, the more you’ ll have to stress about on the big day. Consider paring things back, after all, the picnic itself is the unusual element of the wedding; it doesn’ t need to be over complicated.
Flowers, favours and fancy Champagne flutes are all well and good, but paper plates and cardboard cups can be just as effective, and easier to clean up afterwards, too!
Table service
When people think of picnics, they think of sheets or blankets on the ground, but that doesn’ t have to be the case.
If you don’ t fancy risking getting mud on your wedding finery, look into using benches instead. You could go for classic picnic benches, or create a more rustic affair with reclaimed paletts. A sturdier surface allows for decorations, flowers and the cutting of the cake with less peril involved!
Plan a post-wedding picnic
Perhaps having a picnic en masse isn’ t a viable option for your wedding day. But, if you like the idea of gathering your friends and family together in an informal way, how about hosting a post-wedding picnic instead?
Lots of couples see loved ones the day after tying the knot, so why not plan a picnic in a local park or green space where anyone who’ s free can gather with you to regale in tales of your special day?
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