Short on cash or big on the idea of a casual, family friendly outdoor wedding?

The Perfect Picnic Wedding

Perfect if you are getting married in a park, backyard, or a tiny old church set in a big grassy field…

You could have a very small private ceremony in the church and then celebrate with a larger party of guests waiting to receive you outside. For a list of small churches in the US please visit roadsideamerica.com (image above is from this site).

Picnic Wedding Essentials

One of the most important items you will need – picnic blankets! Stick with tradition and pick red and white checkers, or find fabric that matches your wedding colors and make your own (you may find it less expensive to buy a large bolt of fabric and make your own anyways). You can buy the handmade one below at etsy.com for around $20 (and she offers a discount if you purchase more than one). These blankets could double as a wedding favor for each family that attends as well (you might have to come up with a contest to figure out who gets to take the blanket home for mixed picnic groups).

Deluxe Picnic

I wasn’t able to find a caterer in the US that provides this service, but in the UK you can pick up a biodegradable picnic basket filled with treats from the Arch House Deli in Bristol for less than $20 per person (converted from British pounds). Perhaps you could find a local catering company that would provide the picnic blankets and a picnic basket packed with goodies for each group of guests (let me know if you find any companies that do that!).

Picnic Event Tips

Don’t forget to be considerate of older guests and offer cushions as well as normal seating if necessary.

Provide picnic themed activities to keep the kids busy.

This cute picnic basket from bestpricetoys.com will be fun for younger children.

Plan for the weather

Bring large sun umbrellas, gazebos, and a play tent like the one below from Ikea to offer children some shade (or a quiet place to nap). You might want to bring something to weigh down the blankets if there is a chance that it will be windy. Make sure sunscreen and plenty of water is available for the guests.

Wedding receptions are usually fun for adults, but can be a bore for the kids.

Keep children entertained with these great ideas.

Some online stores specialize in wedding favors for children. Kidsweddingfun.com offers table activities for 6 children in a gift basket. They have 2 different versions: one for children ages 3 – 7 and one for chidren ages 8 – 12.

Kidfriendlyweddings.com has cute themed activity kits (beach, garden, fairytale, autumn, and winter) to match your wedding. The fairytale version is pictured below: kids get to make a crown, play with a fairy tale sticker scene, and look through a magical kaleidoscope (there is a lot more inside).

Another idea: check out businesses that create loot bags for birthday parties. They might offer wedding activity sets; and if they don’t, you might be able to order something that will still work for your wedding (just take the loot bag contents and put them in a fancier bag or basket. You can order the Barbie Wedding Activity Board Book pictured above from lootlady.com. It includes the activity book, a little fancy purse, and candy.

If you’re having a kids table, consider hiring an adult to supervise and entertain the children (one talented at balloon animals or face painting would be perfect!). If you’re seating the children with their parents, you can leave an activity kit at their place at the table. A coloring or activity book with markers, a puzzle, or a craft – all great ways to keep a child entertained (and seated quietly). Small lego sets are cute, too – particularly if you can find one that matches the theme of your wedding. Stay away from crafts that include glue or paint (or anything messy).

If you have the time and inclination, you can put your own activity set together. Try to pick activities and toys that match your wedding theme and use a bag, basket, or box that matches your wedding colors.

Activity Books

This wedding day activity book can be purchased at sophiesfavors.com.

Busy Hands

This cute ‘take-along-tower’ from Playmobil is cute and lots of fun. There  is also a take-along unicorn castle available.