With the summer coming to an end, it’s the perfect time to grab your honey and mix up your standard date night with a little picnic! This is a great way to enjoy the cooler weather, explore your city, and dine al fresco!

A lake or park are always two favorites for picnics, but I always love finding a unique spot with a beautiful view. Deep in the heart of downtown Dallas, my fiancé and I decided to enjoy an end-of-summer picnic at the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, which is an iconic Dallas hotspot. It’s definitely not the common picnic locale, which made it even more romantic and memorable. 

If you are looking for a fun way to switch up your upcoming date night or evening with friends,  this is definitely an entertaining idea to consider! Picnics are simple and easy and usually only require assembling a few items! Check out our favorite tips and tricks for throwing together an unforgettable picnic!

1. Choose a location: When planning a picnic, most people immediately think of a public park; however, there are so many other unique places you can host your outdoor gathering! Consider a beach, a rooftop, or your favorite local site!
2. Seating: Make sure you bring something for you to sit on like a picnic blanket. You can also bring towels or, my personal favorite, rugs! To increase the formality a bit, I brought out our favorite faux sheepskin rug. If the ground is wet, use a tarp as the first layer, to keep your guests (and nicer blankets!) from getting wet.
3. Food: Keep the food simple and consider only bringing dishes that are still tasty at room temperature. Try handheld foods (sandwiches and wraps) and appetizers like vegetable or fruit kabobs, cheese, crackers, and hummus. You could also put together an antipasto platter if you want to step up the formality a bit!
4. Beverages: Don’t forget to pack a refreshing beverage like an infused water with lemon, mint, or fruit. If you serve wine, choose something light, like a rosé and pre-mix any cocktails at home. (We aren’t big rosé drinkers, so we still opted for red wine!) 
5. Packing: Pack your food, beverages, and place settings in a wicker picnic basket or insulated tote. Make sure there is padding in the interior to protect any glasses or soft food.
6. Place settings: Don’t forget your disposable plates, napkins, and silverware! Paper plates are easy to transport and throw away after your picnic, but if you want something a little bit more formal, check out my favorite disposable products, Tableluxe. 
7. Lighting: Lighting can completely transform the mood of your picnic. If you are close to a house, you can string beautiful lights over your table. If you are more remote, consider lanterns or candles.
8. Entertainment: Set the mood with a little music. Bring a portable radio or speakers to connect to your phone, so you can play your favorite playlist!
9. Make a list: As you’re planning your picnic, keep a running list of everything you need. Since you are most likely hosting your picnic away from your home, you don’t want to forget anything!

Enjoy!

Photography by Paisley Layne Photography