Picnics, Catering or Dining Out Menu Ideas

Picnics: A Moveable Feast

Picnics can be as formal or as simple as you like. You’ll need coolers in which to bring the food to ensure that it stays chilled, table cloths if the venue has picnic tables, or folding chairs and tables if not, or picnic blankets and rugs, along with cushions, for more informal dining.

Disposable plates, cups, cutlery and paper napkins certainly simplify the clean up afterwards. You can opt for plain foam plates or go all out and select beautiful floral or patterned ones with matching cups, serviettes and tablecloths. For the comfort of your guests, choose a venue that has amenities such as washrooms.

Of course, if you are planning the picnic in the comfort of your garden, then that’s not a problem. If the park has a barbecue pit or if you have a portable barbecue, then you can choose to cook different meats (see the section on barbecues).

Alternatively, robust sandwiches on ethnic breads like pita and foccacia, accompanied by a variety of melon wedges, are perfect for outdoor appetites ad can easily be prepared before the party. Bring waterless hand wash and don’t forget bug spray in the event of unwelcome insects.

Catering or Dining Out

Of course, if the budget is generous and the guest list small, you can either cater the affair or hold it in a restaurant. In the case of an afternoon at the spa, lunch on the premises is the most convenient option.

The bridal couple may have a favorite restaurant, perhaps where the proposal was made, which would be the perfect place to hold a bridal shower. In fairness to the hostess, the guests may be quite happy paying for their meal while you provide the party favors and decorations.

If eating out is an option, these matters need to be discussed with the invitees, which is easy enough if you are close friends. No one in his or her right mind will want to stick you with a huge restaurant bill.

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