A new industry branch focused on bespoke picnics is transforming outdoor dining, offering turn-key elegant experiences. These services cater to various needs, from intimate gatherings to large events, providing everything from blankets and cushions to plates and even drumsticks.
Jam Stewart, founder of Picnic PopUp in Nashville, notes that while DIY picnics sound casual, they can be frustrating in reality, citing forgotten items and logistical challenges. The new services aim to remove this burden, allowing clients to enjoy the romantic ideal of a picnic without the stress of preparation.
An example of this trend is Manhattanites Bailey LaMarca and Stephen Zamora, who booked an oceanside picnic with Destination Haus in Montauk, N.Y., after their Capri trip was canceled due to the pandemic. Destination Haus provided a beachy setting with lanterns, blue glass chargers, woven placemats, and Craspedia flowers, while the couple brought local lobster rolls and chilled Wölffer Estate pinot gris. Mr. Zamora described the experience as "a glimmer of light in a dark year" and plans to make it a summer tradition, having already booked another for August.
