Inspiration Board: Wedding Alfresco

Photos from this link.

                                                            
If you are having a picnic wedding this inspiration board will move your wedding planning way ahead! Love the wrapped wine bottles!

Cold Vegetables en Brouchette Bowls

Source: marthastewartweddings.com via Natanya on Pinterest

Looking for a new way to serve vegetables and dip to your guests? Try this great idea courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings.  A slice of bread, hollowed out makes a baguette cup to hold your veggies and dip! Simple, easy, next to no clean up! Use carrots, beans, asparagus, peppers (red, yellow or green) and add some appropriate dip for each vegetable. I think I'm in love--with the baguette bowls with veggies and dip. Thanks Martha!

Casual Chic Picnicware

Source: atozebracelebrations.blogspot.com via Tressy on Pinterest

Looking for a way to combine drink glasses with silverware and napkins and make it look like part of your decor? Try using mason jars (STOP GROANING! I know... mason jars are everywhere!) lined with a scarf or napkin, and filled with silverware. Perfect for an outdoor wedding where you want to give it a 'casual but chic ' designer look.

And if you're not getting married use it for your favorite 4th of July picnic or other picnic get together with friends and family.

Party Punch, Bright and Sweet

Photo and recipe from Tastebook

Looking for a non-alcoholic option for a picnic wedding? One that will be thirst quenching without adding alcohol? Try this bright punch from Tastebook. Pineapple juice, pink lemonade, gingerale and strawberry ice cream are the primary flavors. For the exact recipe head to Tastebook where you'll find other recipes for alfresco weddings or just backyard picnics.

Red and Aqua Inspiration Board

Getting married outside, near the pool? Or just on your back lawn? This color combination is perfect for outdoor weddings and picnic like receptions.  

The Jones Soda carries through the aqua scheme with the addition of a small red tag as an accent. Ribbon wands to wave as the bride and groom walk down the aisle after the bride has been thoroughly kissed  make another great accent.  

Centerpieces are easy to make and pull together in a hurry.  It's easy to find picnic table covers in aqua, just hit your local Party Store.  

This inspiration board is great for the bride who's doing a lot of it herself with her friends and family.

Caramel Apple Grapes?

Yes, you've seen caramel apples for wedding sweet tables.  But I am positive few of you have seen caramel apple grapes.  These are large red seedless grapes first dipper in a caramel sauce, and then in some chopped nuts that are easy to eat and easy to make. 

Grapes are easier to make than apples, not much prep work, you can use Mazetti's Caramel Apple Dip (you can even go the low cal route) and add some sour cream, crushed nuts, crushed M&Ms or other crushed candies.  My mouth is watering!  Put grapes on lollipop sticks, toothpicks or skewers.  Dip, leaving some extra caramel on the bottom so the grapes will stand up.  Let cool in the frig and serve. 

You can decorate the sticks with ribbons or use coordinating colors for your wedding.  Perfect to polish off the end of your day!  No apple cores to deal with--seedless grapes have their uses!

All photos courtesy of Busy Mommy Blog

For complete recipe visit Busy Mommy at this link.  She'll give you all the details of how much sour cream to use and how long to heat your caramel dip.  Some bloggers have fabulous ideas, this is one of them!  Oops! Our grapes are ready to eat! Gotta run!  Have to personally taste test them! (Which means my husband at the whole first tray! Needless to say they are gone!)

Citrus Centerpieces

Looking for a cool and relaxing looking centerpiece for your picnic wedding? Try this simple, inexpensive, fruit centerpiece.  A combination of melons, citrus and mango or pineapples with a few calla lilies and you have a simple and easy summer centerpiece.

Looking for a different color combination? Just change out the fruit to suit your color scheme.  Be sure to add some lemon, lime, orange or pineapple juice to keep the fruit from browning.