Weddingbee Blog

As our picnic garden wedding (with an extra kick of tea party) has evolved, my mum has been a great support, even when sometimes my ideas are not what she immediately thinks of when she thinks “wedding.” So, when the picnic theme came up, she was all for it because it is what we wanted…but being a visual person (like myself) she needed to see some pictures of other weddings with that vibe so she knew what we were going for and that it can be (and has been) actually “done.” That is—she wanted proof that a picnic can be pulled off elegantly.

After we looked at the following photos together, we were both reassured that, yes indeed, picnic weddings can be absolutely beautiful, and also that you don’t have to sacrifice style just because it is a picnic! (And now I have said “picnic” way too often. But it is a cool word—picnic, picnic, picnic). Here are the images that inspired us:

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Mum and I have been collecting throws and old bedspreads in purples, pale pinks, creams, and greens wherever we can find them. At the reception, there will be a few picnic tables (for the bridal party, parents, grandparents, and for anyone who will be more comfortable in a seat), and then there will be the rugs available for everyone else to relax on. But I’m not just going to leave those rugs bare! I’m making some cushions to make them even more comfortable, and there will also be baskets:

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The wicker-ware I have ordered for the rugs are more like basket trays (with no handles), and we will stack some teacups and some flowers on each one. Here is an example of what they will look like (except the example is minus the flowers):

(personal photo)

I ordered some other baskets as well—ones that look more like the baskets in the inspiration pics, and these will be used for various things at the reception, like holding the favors, utensils, etc. You can’t have too many baskets for a good old-fashioned picnic.

Finally, I came across these photos by the amazingly talented Elizabeth Messina the other day and my heart did a flip:

Both from here

Now that is what I call an elegant picnic! Hmm…maybe Mr E and I can fit in a little private shoot like this on our wedding day. We could pack a basket with some sweet treats and drinks, lay out the rug in a middle of our venue’s rose section….the possibilities are endless! The intimacy and beauty of this scene grabs my heartstrings…enough to make me want to carry threads of the “lovers’ picnic” theme over into the whole reception.

Anyone else having a picnic wedding? If so, what picnic elements have you been particularly inspired by?