The humble picnic - It's been around for centuries and is such a versatile concept that it can be used to celebrate practically any occasion! I myself am a huge fan of having a picnic for family events; its a great casual way to get everyone together without spending hours slaving over the stove. There are no expectations on how to set up a picnic you could simply pop down a few blankets and pillows down and be good to go if you so wanted. You can have it in the backyard, at the beach, on the top of hill, anywhere that tickles your fancy really. And the best thing, once its all setup you can relax and enjoy - as everyone can just help themselves!

Well there are no rules to a picnic, there are defiantly factors to consider:

What time of day are you planning the picnic for?

If its in place of a main meal more food would be expected versus and afternoon snack. If its earlier in the day you don't want somewhere shady as thee ground may still be dewy. If its in the evening - what will you do to keep warm if it cools off and if your planning for it to go past sunset you'll need some lighting so your not sitting in the dark.

Do you you plan to decorate?

As mentioned you can defiantly keep your picnic set up super relaxed with a blanket and a few pillows. But if your celebrating a special occasion you probably want to chic things up with a few decorations and floral arrangements - I've found anything vintage always looks amazing for a picnic!

**An important factor to think is who your guests are - your 92 year old grandma may not be able to sit on the ground for hours on end.

Where are you planning to have the picnic?

Park? River? Backyard? Beach? You can have a picnic anywhere that you want really. I love a good backyard picnic, especially for larger groups because you all all the required amenities at hand. Also you don't need to take everything to another location and in the case of adverse weather you have shelter. This being said sometimes your backyard may just not be what you're after - it then really comes to down to areas close by and favorite places of yours. A key thing to consider when picking your location is what amenities it will have and what do you guest need available - bathrooms, shade, and running water are always key considerations for me.

Next the most important part - the food.

A no fail way to pack a picnic is to think pack a range of easy-to-eat, snack foods. Cheese, crackers, fruit are always enjoyed. If you want to bulk things up salads, quiche and sandwiches are perfect too; they can all be pre-made and are easy to eat. A sweet treat like a homemade slice is always a nice way to finish off too.

** TIP - Always make sure you consider how you are going to store food and keep things the right temperature!

Key things to pack -

The below picture gives a great breakdown of essentials - the only key thing I'd say was missing is wine and water - always bring more than you think you need of both!

Big or small picnic are a great event option to suit all ages and celebrations. What is your key picnic essential? Is there anything i haven't listed you think I should?

Make sure to get in touch with us if you want more information on our perfect picnic options.

Whether you're wanting a family affair, a girls afternoon or romantic proposal option we've got you covered!

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A Marriage proposal is something most would consider the epitome of romantic moments. As such we all have expectations of what such a moment should be; and well there is no wrong way to propose to your loved one, there are defiantly things you can do to make a proposal more thoughtful and heartfelt. Below I have 7 top tips for crafting the perfect, thoughtful marriage proposal:

Plan it – it will be time well spent.

Obviously as an event planner I am a huge fan of lists and plans. You may prefer to be an in the moment sort of person; but hear me out as to why this is such an important step. You are asking your lover, your partner in crime, your best friend to spend the rest of their life with you I think that’s worth some extra effort – and I’m sure they will too. A proposal is a way to physically show how much you love them and how well you know them. For some planning such a moment may be a challenge they look forward too - for others this is extremely daunting or you may just not have any spare time to pull it all off; this is where For keeps events can help.

Make it special – without breaking the bank

A Marriage proposal should be a grand gesture. You’re asking the person you love to spend the rest of their life with you, so of course you want to make it a standout moment in your relationship. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to drain your bank account for the occasion. Sure, prepare to spend a bit of money planning and decorating to set the scene; but it’s the thought and attention you put into details that make it meaningful that your partner will cherish.

Make it sentimental – show how much you care

A perfect proposal is never the same. Making it sentimental by adding in personal touches here and there will only make it more memorable. It will show how you treasure the memories you have as a couple and just how well you know your partner. You won't want to take her to an amusement park if she gets motion sickness or to the top of a mountain if she’s afraid of heights, right! Making it sentimental could include many things – it could be including elements from your first date, serving a favourite dish, having a special song playing or their favourite flowers as decorations. As they say is the smaller things that count.

Keep it a surprise – I know it’s hard!

If you’re planning to propose no doubt you have probably talked about marriage and your future together and if you haven’t I highly recommending doing so before you propose. Now just because you’ve had this conversation doesn’t mean you need to take away from the surprise of the romantic proposal. Make sure to have a good reason ready for why you’ve been busy planning and decoy for why you need to take your partner away for a weekend or why she needs to get dressed up; I have some great explanations you can use! Tip - KEEP IT SIMPLE – don’t get yourself confused in a web of elaborate white lies trying to throw them of the proposal scent!

Also, I know it’s tempting but don’t tell anyone no matter how much you know you can trust them (unless you need their help pulling it off of course) – your future fiancé will want to be there to share the exciting news with you.

Enjoy it – it will be a whirlwind

Try to take in the moments as it happens. Proposal are of course very emotional – they are also a moment where your nerves are high. Even if you’re pretty sure she’ll say yes, I understand it’s a moment with a lot of pressure behind it. Try remember the moment will be perfect because of the thought and care you put into it. Try not to get to caught up in everything being a 100% exactly like the movies or a preconceived idea of perfection; focus more on the moment as it comes. Of course hiring a proposal planner is a great way to take the stress..

Put a ring on it – seriously.

Popping the question with no ring is considered the biggest faux pas of a marriage proposal. I know your deceleration of love is what’s most important, but a survey carried out by ‘The Knot’ found that most couples felt an “engagement won't seem 100 percent legit unless she's got an engagement ring to show for it.” You may know exactly the type of ring your partner would want, you also may have no idea. There are many ways I can help you narrow down the options - you can also pick a jeweler that will let you exchange the ring after the proposal. Remember though when purchasing an engagement ring, make sure you stay within your budget or financial capability.

Capture the moment – it’s worth it.

Having photographer there to capture your proposal is something I always recommend. This is such a special moment in your relationship having some beautiful snaps to commemorate this is something you will both appreciate having.

Thinking through all these tips when planning a proposal might seem trivial. After all you just want to get down on one knee and pop the big question and start the next phase of your lives, right? But trust me taking the time to put in the extra effort is worth it; your partner deserves it. A proposal can show how much you love your partner and that you are prepared to spend your lives together going above and beyond.