Picnic-Inspired Wedding Ideas

On the morning of this couple's wedding day, the groom packed a picnic breakfast and met his sweetheart by the Potomac River for a morning rendezvous. Since the event wasn't until that evening, the couple decided to make the most of their time together.

A tea-length berry-speckled silk organza dress by Luca Luca, net veil by Suzanne Couture Millinery, and vintage cotton glove add retro flair to a picnic theme.

A posy of ranunculus and geranium leaves fits the customary red-and-white color scheme.

Mix ornate flourishes with whimsical picnic motifs to create sunny stationery. Send save-the-dates inside paper lunch bags decorated with rubber stamps and sealed with a casual fold.

And what's a picnic without ants? Guests won't mind these marching across their invite, which is bordered with stripes reminiscent of a picnic blanket.

Pink and poppy can be used throughout a picnic wedding or at your shower. Bright sugar poppies are planted atop a cake iced in blush-colored buttercream by Sylvia Weinstock. The linen runner, napkins, and grosgrain ribbon play up the scheme. Stand, Frances Palmer Pottery.

Serve classic picnic staples, dialed up a notch. Package everything separately, in glass, glassine, or paper, so it will stay fresh for several hours; this also lets guests eat neatly out of hand.

Choose a crusty bread for the sandwiches that won't get soggy, and use leakproof canning jars for a tomato and mozzarella salad. Tie disposable bamboo utensils for your hungry guests to a linen napkin with ribbon.

Hand out personalized meals to your guests in cardboard boxes with the menu, run through a the sticker machine, posted on the sides.

A simple dessert buffet is a festive end to an alfresco meal. Make the star your wedding cake, and ask family and friends to pitch in a few baked goods to round out the display. Fabric draped over tree branches will keep the sun away.

The spirit of a century-old French silk ribbon can be felt in every bite of this darling cake. On top rests a dramatic bow of molded gum paste (so realistic, you'll be tempted to untie it). An edible luster dust was mixed with lemon extract and then painted onto the fondant in a rose pattern that evokes the blurry quality of an ikat weave.

Don't stray from the fresh and simple scheme with it comes to cocktails at your picnic party. This drink fits right in with the color palette. 

Invite guests to build their own berry shortcakes at the buffet; Store bowls of berries and whipped cream in coolers under the table until serving time.

Adorn picnic tables (white ones can be rented) with cheerful and humble centerpieces of ranunculus in moss-filled terra-cotta pots, and cut cotton fabric for table runners.

Have lawn games on hand, as well as several coolers full of ice-cold sodas. Lawn chairs and blankets offer extra seating.

Miniature raspberry-blackberry tarts, packed in pie boxes and sealed with long stickers, are perfect for guests to tote home as favors.