Is it me or are luxury picnics with beautifully curated setups becoming more and more popular? From chic boho aesthetic picnic setups to bougie picnic setups with a more fancy feel, this DIY event idea is perfectly cute for celebrating an upcoming birthday or a just casual Sunday afternoon.
Not only is organizing a luxe picnic a cute and unique way to get your loved ones together, but you can also DIY an aesthetic af luxury picnic on a budget!
I digress… For some people, luxury means spending extravagantly on material possessions. For others, it might mean enjoying a life of simple elegance and ease. In this DIY luxury picnic guide, I’d like to share some tips on planning a set up your guests can indulge in a little luxury in the form of a most lovely picnic.
How To Plan An Amazing Luxury Picnic Aesthetic:
You don’t have to be a professional picnic planner in order to throw an amazing luxe picnic. Here are some tips for planning an amazing luxury picnic.
A ) Choose an Aesthetic Picnic Location:
The location of your picnic is key to setting the tone for the overall feel of the event. If you want a more relaxed vibe, try finding a scenic spot in your local park or by a lake. If you’re looking to create a more luxurious atmosphere, consider booking a table at an upscale restaurant with outdoor seating or renting out a private event space.
B) Create an Aesthetic Picnic Theme:
Part of what makes a luxury picnic so special is the attention to detail. By creating a theme, you can really bring your vision to life and make your event feel extra luxurious. Some popular themes for luxury picnics include “A Night Under the Stars,” “Rose Garden Party,” and “Champagne & Caviar.”
C) Set the Mood with Music:
No luxury event is complete without the perfect soundtrack to set the mood. Create a Spotify playlist beforehand with all of your favorite luxurious tunes to get everyone in the right headspace. Alternatively, you could hire a live musician to perform during your picnic.
D) Decorate, Decorate, Decorate:
The beauty of a luxury picnic is in the details. From tablecloths and napkins to centerpieces and place cards, everything should be carefully curated to fit your theme. Get creative with your decorations and really make your event space shine.
E) Serve Delicious Picnic Food & Drink:
Of course, no luxury picnic is complete without delicious food and drink. Serve up a variety of finger foods and small bites that your guests will love. And don’t forget the champagne!
F) Invite The Picnic Crew:
Last but not least, make sure to invite your closest friends and family to join in on the fun. Luxury picnics are all about good company, so make sure to surround yourself with the people you love most.
With these tips in mind, you’re well on your way to planning a luxury picnic that your guests will absolutely love.
Luxury Picnic Checklist
From assembling the perfect picnic table to arranging the most Instagramable charcuterie board and bites, here is everything you need to plan and organize a fabulous aesthetic luxury picnic setup your guests will adore!
1) The Picnic Table
Choosing the perfect picnic table is essential to ensuring your luxury picnic setup is a hit. You want to choose something that is aesthetically beautiful, while also comfortable for your guests to sit and enjoy. Here are some picnic table ideas to pull this off..
Wooden Pallets
You can usually find wooden pallets for free or very cheap at your local hardware store. Simply sand them down, stain them or paint them to match your aesthetic and voila! You have the most beautiful farmhouse chic picnic table.
Be careful however as I’ve heard that some of these wooden pallets that big stores carry are treated with chemicals that may be harmful. Although if you cover them with plastic and table cloth, perhaps using them a few times won’t be much harm.
If you choose, you can also buy wooden new like these to be assured their perfectly safe.
Tea/Coffee Table
Tea tables provide a space for people to gather and enjoy tea together. When choosing a tea table, it is important to consider the size of the table and the number of people who will be using it.
They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all serve the same purpose: to provide a comfortable place to drink tea and socialize. Tea tables can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, or glass. They are sometimes adorned with intricate carvings or painted with beautiful designs.
Camping Table
If you’re planning a luxury picnic for a larger group, then a camping table like this one on Amazon may be a good option! They are sturdy and can be used on any surface, making them perfect for picnics.
These tables are usually big enough to seat 4-6 people, depending on the size you choose. They are also low and adjustable to accommodate floor seating. To add additional seating you can add additional tables for added space.
Picnic Blanket
A great picnic blanket is a good idea whether you will use a picnic table or not. You can lay a proper picnic blanket or two like this popular picnic blanket on Etsy under the picnic table or under the seating.
You can also choose to make the picnic blanket the table itself.
You can choose to use regular blankets like this waffle-style one from West Elm to add a cozy boho aesthetic to your boogie DIY picnic set up.
2) Picnic Seating
After you have decided on your picnic table, it’s time to choose the perfect seating for your guests. You want to make sure that your seating is comfortable and stylish. Here are some great options for picnic seating..
Floor Seating
Floor seating is a great option for picnics. As mentioned above you can have your guests rest their butts on a picnic blanket alone — most people will be perfectly comfortable this way.
Floor Cushions
If you want to add a little bit of luxury to your picnic, then floor cushions are the way to go. They are comfortable and can be easily moved around to create different configurations. You can find floor cushions and pretty throw pillows at stores like Home Goods.
I recommend considering floor cushions or throw pillows that can be easily cleaned and put to good use after your picnic.
Pouf Ottomans
Poufs and ottomans are also a great option for picnics. They can be easily moved around and are great for lounging.
If you choose versatile poufs like these handmade straw ones on Amazon, you can send them home with each guest as a party favor. They can be for practicing Yoga, mediation, or a stylish footrest that matches any home decor.
3) Picnic Plateware and Glassware
Now that you have your perfect picnic table and seating, it’s time to choose the perfect plateware and glassware.
Real Plates and Glasses
If you really want to give your luxury picnic a fancy feel, I recommend opting for real ceramic plates, glass glasses, and silver silverware.
Sure, it’s a little more troublesome — you’ll need to be careful not to break anything and you’ll have dishes to wash when you get home, but this is a small detail that really elevates the picnic experience.
Make sure to wrap your fragile items in paper on the way to the picnic and on the way back home.
Disposable Plastic Plates and Glasses
If you want to be a little more eco-friendly, then consider using reusable plastic plates, glasses, and silverware. There are some really great options out there that look just like the real thing.
I found these clear plastic champagne flutes on Amazon that would be perfect for a luxury picnic. Additionally, I love these organic disposable mod party plates on Etsy — they’re very classy.
Planning Tip: Make sure to have plates for each course of your picnics bites. Additionally, it may come in handy to have cups separate from champagne flutes, for example.
4) Napkins and Utensils
No matter what kind of plates and silverware you choose, you’ll need to have napkins and utensils on hand.
For napkins, I recommend either cloth. If you choose paper, make sure they are biodegradable and eco-friendly.
As for utensils, I recommend metal or silver forks, knives, and spoons. If you’re using plastic plates, then it’s fine to use plastic utensils — just make sure they are eco-friendly and biodegradable.
5) Luxury Picnic Decor
Now that you have all the essentials for your luxury picnic, it’s time to accessorize! Here are some great ideas for luxury picnic decor that will take your picnic from good to amazing.
Centerpiece
Add a touch of glamour to your picnic table with a beautiful centerpiece. Be your picnic aesthetic boho chic or modern glam, your picnic table centerpiece will help set the decor tone.
Tabletop Lanterns
Add some romance to your picnic with tabletop lanterns. These can be used as both decoration and lighting. I recommend battery-operated lanterns so that you don’t have to worry about open flames.
Greenery & Flowers
No matter what your picnic aesthetic is, adding some greenery or flowers is always a good idea. Not only will they make your picnic table look pretty, but they’ll also add a touch of luxury.
Tablecloth or Runner
A great way to add some luxury to your picnic table is with a beautiful tablecloth or runner. This will also help to protect your picnic table from spills.
Table Mats
If you want to get really fancy, consider using table mats. These will protect your picnic table and give it a more polished look.
6) Luxury Picnic Essentials
Don’t forget these additional essentials for your luxury picnic setup — your guests will thank you.
Portable Speaker
If you want to have music playing during your picnic, be sure to pack a portable speaker. This will help to create the perfect ambiance for your event.
Signage
Are you celebrating a birthday? Perhaps a bachelorette get-together? Welcome your guests to your picnic with some beautiful signage. You can either DIY this or buy pre-made signs.
Bug Repellent
No one wants to be bothered by bugs while they’re trying to enjoy a picnic! Be sure to pack some bug repellent so that you and your guests can enjoy the outdoors without any pesky interruptions.
Sunscreen
If you’re picnicking during the day, don’t forget to pack sunscreen. No one wants to get sunburned!
Hand Sanitizer
It’s always a good idea to have hand sanitizer on hand, especially if you’re picnicking outdoors. This will help to keep your hands clean and free of germs.
Ice Cooler
Ice for your luxury picnic setup is a must. This will help to keep your food and drinks cold. I recommend using a small ice cooler so that you don’t have to lug a big one around.
Garbage Receptacle + Garbage Bags
Be sure to pack a garbage receptacle so that you can easily clean up after your picnic. This could be something as simple as a garbage bag or small trash can.
More Misc. Ideas For Your Luxury Picnic Checklist
Here are a few more ideas that you may want to consider adding to your luxury picnic checklist.
String Lights
Add some additional ambiance to your picnic with string lights. You can wrap them around a nearby try or, depending on your picnic set up, hang them overhead your guests.
Shade
If you’re picnicking on a sunny day, in addition to choosing a time of the day that’s not blazing hot, make sure to set up under a shady tree or you can opt to bring your own shady umbrellas, for example, if you wish.
Menu Cards
If you’re serving food at your picnic, consider adding menu cards to each place setting. This is a great way to let your guests know what they’re eating and it adds a touch of sophistication to the event.
Tablecloth Clips
Another great way to add some luxury to your picnic is by using tablecloth clips. These will help to keep your tablecloth in place and looking chic.
Basket or Tote
You’re going to need something to carry all of your picnic goodies in! I recommend using a basket or tote that is big enough to fit everything you need.
Blanket or Throw
If it may get cool during your picnic, your guests may really appreciate having a blanket or throw to use. This is also a great way to add some additional luxury to your picnic set-up.
External Battery Charger
If you’re using any electronics during your picnic, such as a portable speaker or phone, you’ll want to be sure to pack an external battery charger. This way, you can keep the party going even if your devices run out of power. Your guests will also find this handy.
7) Luxury Picnic Food And Drinks
Of course, no picnic is complete without food and drinks! When it comes to your luxury picnic, you’ll want to serve up something special.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards are all the rage right now and for good reason — they’re absolutely delicious! When putting together your own charcuterie board, be sure to include a variety of meats, cheeses, breads, fruits, and nuts.
Fruit Infused Water
Add some flavor to your water by infusing it with fruit. This is a great way to add some vitamins and antioxidants to your diet.
Champagne
You can not have a luxury picnic without Champagne! Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or not, champagne is always a good idea.
Luxury Picnic Planning Takeaway
Phew! That’s it for my luxury picnic checklist.
Planning a luxe picnic doesn’t at all have to be complicated. Simply use this checklist as a guide and add your own personal touches to make it your own.
I hope this has given you some ideas on how to DIY your own luxury picnic setup. Do you have any other tips for planning the perfect luxury picnic? Let me know in the comments below!
