Here, where picture-perfect weather and paradisiacal backdrops dominate, the picnic party trend has taken hold. It keeps getting swankier, too, as planners swap beach blankets for fringed umbrellas, woven placemats, crystal glasses, charcuterie boards and plenty of elegant extras. While most picnics companies cater to smaller groups—say, a beachside bridal shower for 10—more local pros are stepping up the game to accommodate parties of 30 or more. These top three alfresco maestros serve all of Southwest Florida, setting up bountiful, specialized spreads from Collier County’s Everglades environs to Sanibel Island’s beaches and everywhere in between—even your back yard.
Naples Art Picnic
Naples Art Picnic launched in January with an artful take on the picnic party trend. Owner Elena Kovalchuk guides her partygoers through a 1.5-hour monochromatic textured art project, using white paste to create 3D forms on a canvas. Elena brings all the tools (mini easels included) and arranges the supplies on a tablescape with strings of pearls, flowers and charcuterie boards overflowing with sundries scoured from local markets. There’s no guest limit, but we recommend sticking with small- to mid-sized groups (5 to 15) to maximize the experience. 239-302-9858
Courtesy Naples Art Picnic
Woman paints on canvas on picnic table setup
Naples Art Picnic excels at experiential parties with mini art kits.
Picnic Culture
Natasha Rinehart’s Picnic Culture taps into global customs, traditions and furnishings found on her travels to design picnics with jet-setting panache. Picture your guests picking sushi from a Balinese basket floating in your pool, finding their seats among bougainvillea bunches at a Greek-style tablescape, or nibbling on Brazilian brigadeiro bonbons from Naples’ Café Au Cake. As a former wedding coordinator, Natasha has the chops to pull off large parties for 30 or more, complete with on-site staff to keep plates cleared and glasses filled. picniccultures.com
Picnic Culture/Lauren Marie Photo
Gathering of partygoers with lush picnic setting with fans and florals
The globally inspired Picnic Culture can do small gatherings or fully staffed fetes with dozens of guests.
Picnic Society Co.
Fort Myers’ Picnic Society Co. puts the cuisine centerstage in their photo-perfect picnics—just look at the team’s recently launched Party Cart by PSCO dolly, which you can stock with ice cream, elote (Mexican street corn), pancakes and other crowd-pleasers. When she’s not drawing from her in-house menu of finger foods, owner Ashley Martinez partners with chef Gavin Makava from The Rose House for catering, private chef experiences and a hands-on sushi-rolling class. And, Picnic Society can bring DIY floral bars, outdoor theater setups and professional photographers to cover your party needs from A to Z. picnicsociety.co