The advent of glamping some years back opened the tent flap to savoring nature’s wonders without lifting a well-manicured finger. It also spurred myriad approaches to upscale outdoor experiences—even more so during the pandemic. The latest trend? Pop-up picnics. These charming soup-to-nuts outfits have taken over the DMV’s parks and backyards in the last year, following a similar craze on the West Coast.
“I’d always loved the idea of luxury picnics … then saw a San Diego company blow up on TikTok,” says Amanda Erickson, who launched the Alexandria-based Potomac Picnics this past April.
While each company has its own twist (some provide food, and others do not, though you can usually bring your own), the general idea is the same: They’ll personalize a whimsically outfitted spread for a small group, typically from two to 20, at a spot of your choosing. You simply show up and spend a few hours basking in the sheer pleasure of it all.
“We take care of every detail, which is super-important when everyone is so busy,” says Erickson. “We try to capture exactly what [our clients are] envisioning. Some like to be very involved, and some leave it all up to us.” Among her most popular offerings are the s’mores or fondue enhancements. (That’s in addition to the charcuterie boards included with each two-hour package.) “It adds a fun touch, especially for date nights or entertaining children.”
Michelle Ison, whose Picnic & Peonies debuted in September 2020, loves this location for the concept. “The DMV, especially NoVA, is perfect for picnics because there are many beautiful areas, and they are all different,” says Ison, who lives in Alexandria. She favors her city’s Old Town area for its waterfront setting, but there are plenty of others—underneath the incoming planes at Reagan National Airport, overlooking the monuments, on rooftops.
Ison finds that her picnic for two is a top choice among couples who want to celebrate anniversaries or proposals. For $249, you get a 90-minute event styled with curated furniture like rugs and tables; accessories such as candles, flowers, and a Bluetooth speaker; and a Polaroid to snap it all. (And you will—if only to give your Instagram followers FOMO.) Additionally, Ison is now dishing out an à la carte menu crafted in partnership with Hummingbird restaurant in Old Town.
Since introducing Loudoun County’s Purely Picnics VA in April, co-founders Lisa Carr and Tipton McNamee have teamed up with area wineries and historic properties. “We knew these settings would be great for pop-ups,” says Carr. “[We have] the opportunity to promote businesses who love Loudoun as much as we do.” They’re working with Morven Park, an 1,000-acre horse destination in Leesburg, to provide to-go picnics during its August polo season. Another business taking advantage of NoVA’s bounty is Fairytale Picnics, dreamed up by Arlington resident Stela Patidar last June; her partner locales are Morais Vineyards & Winery in Bealeton and Wollam Gardens in Jeffersonton. But she has a soft spot for backyard ’dos. Her two-hour Mini Fairytale lends itself to cozier spaces; rather than a big table, small individual ones are set up, and two petite fans keep you cool. “There’s something special,” says Patidar, “about sharing an intimate moment with your loved ones at home.”
3 Top Picnic Spots
Wondering where to lay out your own spread? Try one of these settings recommended by the pros.
“The NoVA wineries all have amazing scenery and offer picnickers a great place to spend time with friends or family. Most have live music on the weekends, which makes the day even more special.”—Tipton McNamee, Purely Picnics VA
“Wollam Gardens in Jeffersonton is an absolutely magical venue.” —Stela Patidar, Fairytale Picnics
“We love Founder’s Park along the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria.” —Amanda Erickson, Potomac Picnics
Feature image courtesy Amanda Erickson
This story originally ran in our August issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.
