How to Host a “Bridgerton” Picnic: Part II

Dearest Gentle Reader,

In PART I of my Bridgerton Picnic series, I introduced you to the Regency theme and its many motifs, hopefully guiding you closer to the version of Bridgerton that rings true for you! After all, there are as many interpretations of the experience as there are characters in the book!

Still feeling overwhelmed? Wondering how to move from a general vibe to concrete plans and purchases?  Ask yourself the primary questions every event has to answer: Why, Where, When, and How Much?

You’ll be amazed at how far the answers go towards focusing your design, so that you can get to the fun part - collecting decor, inviting guests, planning a menu, etc., in other words…

COMPOSING THE LOOK:

...with the Why

Think of the purpose of your celebration, and the keywords that come to mind:

• Bridal Shower - elegant and proper - an occasion when in-laws and extended relatives meet for the first time. You want the event to reflect the importance of the moment, so the focus should be on beautiful, edited details that impress - save on expensive bar offerings, and spend a little more on high quality tablecloths, line your buffet table with large vases brimming with hortensias, and get guests to mingle with printed word games that feature the Whistledown logo.

• Mother’s Day - loving and nostalgic - celebrating your mom depends a lot on her personality, but most likely she will appreciate personal touches against a lady-like backdrop, like framed photos or favorite stacked novels as a centerpiece to an afternoon tea. You might also want to skip the floor picnic and use bistro tables instead, for the comfort of older guests. Remember that moms never want you to spend too much, so make the small things special - bake a dessert from her childhood or make her preferred tipple.

• Book Club Reading - literal and detailed - if you are a fan of the books and/or the series, then here is a chance to share your love with like minds. Incorporate references that only they would understand, like color motifs, scenes, character names, and symbols. The written word is the thing, so play on words with your place cards or food signs, print personalized ‘society papers’, and create a menu around some foods featured in the storyline (like Gregory’s fruit jellies and cinnamon biscuits, or a Kate Sharma inspired chai).

• Bachelorette - flirty and flamboyant - skip the tea and go straight to champagne with this celebration! This is an occasion when big strokes work better than a micro focus. Likely, your hens won’t care too much about pun-filled printed menus - instead go for visual gold with gilded plate chargers, velvet cushions, or an Empire-style chandelier centerpiece. You might even take a page out of Lady Danbury’s book and her “Den of Iniquity” by hosting a casino night or masquerade.

• Birthday - sunny and light-hearted- here’s a chance to include the whole family with a gorgeous day out. A park or home-based garden picnic is the perfect way to kick off a new birthday year, not to mention celebrate yourself without the work that comes from planning a huge to-do. Focus on lawn games like badminton and croquet, airy decor like bunting and streamers, all in keeping with a Regency-era village fete! You can set up a buffet with lemonade and cakes under a cabana tent and repurpose indoor furniture for outdoor staging.

• Wedding - unique and romantic - if there was ever the chance to be the heroine of your own novel, then this is it! Whether you are a duchess hosting your own ball or marrying for love in a humble vicarage, this is the time to tell your story. While you may need a little effort to develop the look, use the chance to create a moment that reflects why this particular theme truly celebrates you. Have you spent your life reading Regency novels, feeling like a Penelope wallflower? Or are you a Queen Charlotte, ready to be crowned? If you want a traditionally grand affair, then look for a historic-grade villa; if you prefer charming and intimate, choose a garden terrace or conservatory. If a modern spin is desired, rent out the gallery of a museum or local collection. If you are a naturalist, a lakeside gazebo or community greenhouse might be just the thing.

Whether it’s the book series or Netflix show, researching the source material is an indispensable part of planning the look of your next Bridgerton party!

A Mother’s Day Bridgerton Picnic can incorporate little odes to her favorite things.

A floral-forward wedding cake is both Regency regal and pastoral.

An obliging park table can host a magical gathering with thrifted decor and field flowers.

...with the Where

Your location will greatly inform the decor of your event…

• OUTDOORS

  • Public Park - you will want to keep the decor light and portable if you are setting it up yourself. As with all park picnics, large blankets are your best friend in both helping to define your group’s area and being easy to carry in & pack up. Vintage coverlets offer a unique look or purchase a king-size throw online that you can reuse at home or for your next picnic. Stud the look with floral pillows, and don’t worry too much about bulky tables - strategically placed rattan trays, picnic baskets, and paper parasols are all the props you need. Wanting a focal point or photo op? A folding table (or park bench) and a couple wooden bins (perfect for transporting your decor) are easily styled with desserts, fresh flowers, and party favors.

  • Private Garden- with decor enjoying a short travel distance, you have the luxury of heavier furnishing. Do as the landed gentry and bring the inside out! Dainty side tables and velvet loveseats can make whimsical lounge statements, while bookcases give a literary air to a stocked bar or shelves of buffet plates. Remember to take advantage of your backyard’s natural charm - pull your guests’ eyes to a flower bed or vine trellis with sweet event signage, bunting, or a decorative backdrop.

• INDOORS

  • Living Room - whether your home is a cozy studio or has more palatial dimensions, entertaining is at its most personal in this space. If on the smaller side, you’ll want to keep any added furnishings to a minimum. Even with larger homes, focus your attention on a tablescape, tea service, or buffet table, with a delicious menu to match. Remember that batch drinks and cocktails, when presented in beautiful crystal and studded with decorative fruit or tinted with striking colors (pea flower tea or frozen dragon fruit are very effective) can turn hum-drum beverages into conversation pieces.

  • Rental Space - does this area provide a lot of existing Regency-style decor (like antique sofas, arched entry ways, or the marble floors of a historic hotel)? Or will you have to provide/rent furniture and backdrop props to create a themed event? While party rooms and ball rooms offer perfect protection from the rain, temperature control, and the ability to accommodate a larger guest list, in addition to other services, deciding the look and layout of your event in a blank space will depend greatly on your budget. Consider a professional party planner who can help with your design and coordinate all your vendors.

...with the When

• Morning - a brunch event in the brightest light of day should feel spotless, fresh, and appetizing. Focus on a cheerful color palette and a crisp, clean tablescape. Skip the ornate votives and taper candles in favor of porcelain bud vases with spring flowers, pile pastry on tiered trays, and try to starch your napkins.

• Afternoon - when the sun comes at an angle, use it to your advantage with lots of embossed glass, ivory accents, and branched florals that cast dappled shadows. Depending on your event length, pre-lit LED candles here can help you slip into the twilight unnoticed.

• Evening - time to bring out the candelabras! With your event bathed in this soft glow, forgo patterns in favor of texture. This is when brocade, gauze, and velvets can really shine. Metallics and mirrors will keep the conversation lively. For flowers, highlight sculptural elements with monochrome palettes, dramatic proportions, and overscale containers.
  
  

  And finally…
  

...with the How Much

Make the most out of your budget with these styling tips and visual inspirations!

Small budgets call for a relaxed setting, fellowship, and a little ingenuity - inexpensive but beautifully layered sandwiches, personalized printables, and upcycled heirlooms make a statement.

• $ - A MODEST budget (image above) is never code for a low-quality event, but an opportunity for imagination! I believe the best parties are with like-minded friends, regardless of where and how we meet, so think about your guest list, first and foremost. Then consider a blanket-based picnic, as mentioned in the WHERE above, or an intimate afternoon tea affair on the terrace. Neither require extensive furnishings and you can DIY menus, upcycle thrift-store porcelain, and cater affordably with baked goods and finger sandwiches packed in charming baskets. That is my favorite way to entertain, creatively! Splurge on an iconic photo prop like decorative fans, and make your guests the stars of this period piece!

Garden parties can be an entertaining dream with an air of whimsy, a fresh scent of botanicals, and a focus on beautifully-presented treats.

• $$ - A MEDIUM budget (above) will not only allow you to purchase favors for your guests, but also spring for select craft beverages, bespoke paper napkins, and fresh flowers. To budget effectively, focus on one or two decorative backdrop features only, like a personalized welcome sign or a beautifully styled buffet table with repurposed vintage candlesticks, crystal punch bowls, or porcelain vases. If incorporating special orders from Etsy, remember to allow yourself plenty of time for printing and delivery.

• $$$ - A HIGH budget (below) may allow you to reserve a venue and/or hire a picnic planner (like yours truly) to assemble a curated setup or tablescape with optional photo backdrops, floral arrangements, and premium desserts. This is a great package-style offering for small groups (up to 30 guests), which allows some detailed personalization to combine with stress-free entertaining, giving you the chance to revel in playing host.

With a higher budget allowance, rented decor and curated picnics can be a convenient and sustainable way to express your event design.

• $$$$ - A LUXURY budget (see below) presents endless opportunities, from premium event space and floral installations to linen and lounge furniture rentals, professional catering & bar, large three-dimensional backdrops, and a range of services one might expect from a milestone celebration, corporate event, or wedding (photography, lighting, live music, custom printed material, serving staff, valet, etc.) To keep from being overwhelmed by choice, it might help to pick one decor feature as your key motif (wisteria, macarons, a jacquard fabric, ostrich feathers, trendy ribbon, etc.), around which to center your other design decisions. If planning a large event yourself, be sure to research local vendors, insurance requirements, and ordinances, and set realistic budget goals. Service charges and design fees in particular can bump up big expenditures like catering and flowers.

Choosing a motif like a signature color, flower, or material can help give luxury budgets a focus.

Have these guiding questions helped you to start planning your own Bridgerton Picnic? I hope your vision is coming into focus, but no fear - PART III of our series will offer our favorite recipes, thrift store finds, fun printables, DIY projects and backdrops, and purchasable decor. And of course, we will finish the series in October with a gallery of our own Bridgerton events and announcement of our new Regency picnic package…stay tuned!