From Day to Night: Transforming Your Picnic Setting for Evening Elegance
Imagine you’ve spent a beautiful summer afternoon at a fun picnic and, as the sun begins to set, you don’t want your day to end. Why should it? With just a few tweaks, your daytime spread can be transformed into an evening fete full of elegance… And at Picnic & Peonies, we like to make those special moments last for as long as possible, so let’s look at how to keep the magic going long after the sun has set.
Illuminate Your Space
As the sun goes down, your best friend is a light source. Consider bringing some battery-operated fairy lights to drape over the nearest tree or around your picnic setup. Flameless LED candles scattered throughout your spread offer a romantic glow, without the risk of naked flames. For a bit of fun whimsy, opt for light-up bottles of wine or mason jars filled with fairy lights.
Get imaginative with lighting: solar-powered lanterns, for instance, can be a brilliant (pardon the pun) ecologically friendly option. They can charge during the day and switch on automatically at nightfall. Also, remember the purely functional. A couple of task lights in strategic places can ensure that you aren’t stumbling around trying to fetch food or pour a drink.
Cozy Up with Texture
In the evening the temperature can drop, so keep some soft, luxurious throws and extra cushions handy – not only to keep you warm but also to make it feel more intimate. The more tactile the better: think velvet or faux fur to ramp it up a bit.
Play with texture and layering to add visual interest and warmth. A deep sheepskin throw over a woven blanket, or silk pillows juxtaposed with rough linen, can create a luxe contrast. Consider supplying some extra layers of clothing for guests who may not have come prepared for the evening chill.
Transition Your Menu
Replace light daytime snacks with more substantial evening ones. Hot, comfort foods – a thermos of soup or a fondue set, maybe? – should also be considered, along with a tin of fine hot chocolate or a flask of mulled wine to get you through the evening chill.
Think of foods that are easy to warm on a camp stove or that can be served at room temperature. Charcuterie boards naturally transition from day to evening, and can be augmented with warm, crusty bread and richer accouterments as night falls. For dessert, s’mores kits or chocolate-dipped strawberries are a good way to sweeten your evening picnic.
Set the Mood with Music
A portable Bluetooth speaker is good for setting the mood. Try some sunny daytime dance music, and then switch to a more mellow playlist for the evening. Soft jazz or acoustic covers are great for a twilight picnic.
Fill your playlist with songs that transition seamlessly from day to night, from sunny and upbeat to relaxed and atmospheric.
Stargazing Essentials
Nothing stops you from enjoying the stars. Pack a stargazing app, or even lay out a blanket for a romantic rendezvous or an educational outing.
Pack a small telescope or binoculars for a closer view of the stars, and find out if there’s a celestial event that you can time, such as a meteor shower, or planets that are visible that night.
Elevate Your Tablescape
When night comes, add some glamor to the decor by replacing the sunny, bright accents. Metallics, crystal glassware, or black and white are all good choices.
Pack a separate ‘after dark kit’ with items such as metallic charger plates, chic black napkins, and maybe even some battery-operated pillar candles in sophisticated holders. A small vase of deep-colored flowers – burgundy dahlias or dark roses – adds a touch of nighttime romance to your dining table.
Activity Transition
Afternoons dominated by frisbee or badminton can be followed by more informal evening pastimes. Pack some playing cards, conversation starters, or even a portable projector for an outdoor cinema.
Consider packing some glow-in-the-dark fun for the night. Glow-in-the-dark Frisbees, bocce balls, or even face paint can all take on an otherworldly air in the darkness. And for an even more leisurely vibe, you can still get people excited about storytelling or stargazing challenges.
Scent the Evening
Add a touch of scent to the mix. Lightly scented votives in the corners of your room, or a natural essential oil diffuser, add another sensory element to your evening.
Choose scents that enhance the mood of the evening and any food you’re serving. Woody notes like cedarwood or sandalwood lend themselves to campfire vibes, whereas lighter florals such as jasmine or lavender lend themselves to romance. Select scents that complement and don’t overpower the natural aromas.
Capture the Moment
Document the shift from day to night; pack an instant camera to produce physical mementos of your day-to-night adventure, and the buttery soft focus of instant photos can be particularly flattering in the glow of evening.
The secret to a great day-to-night picnic is preparing in advance. Keep these evening essentials in a separate bag so you’re ready to switch up your space as soon as the sun starts to set. These tips will help you create a memorable experience that seamlessly blends the day and night.
Our goal behind Picnic & Peonies is to help you create moments that last and moments that you feel as though you never want to leave. Whether you are planning a full-day picnic event or want to extend your afternoon picnic into the evening, we would love to help make the vision a reality for you. We can source the perfect location, curate a day-to-night menu and décor, and we can handle the details so that you can relax and enjoy the day. Are you ready to plan your perfect day-to-night picnic? Contact us today and let’s create some magic.