Group & Celebration Picnics in Chicago
Chicago Luxury Picnic & Decoration by Paula styles group picnics for bachelorettes, baby showers, birthdays, graduations and team outings, with long tables, plush cushions and every detail set up for you across Chicago and the suburbs.
Group picnics
Planning a group picnic, without the stress
Planning a picnic for a big group without the stress
When you are hosting a group, you are already juggling the guest list, the food and the people. Paula takes the setting off your plate entirely.
Here is how it works. You share your date, guest count, theme and a location idea. Paula suggests the best spot, sends a quote and, once your deposit is in, plans the tables and décor. On the day she arrives early, sets everything up and is gone before the party starts, then returns to pack it all away. One client said it best: she made it so easy, from the organization to the communication to the process.
Park permits for a group picnic in Chicago
Group size changes the rules. The Chicago Park District requires a special event permit once an outdoor gathering reaches 50 people, and also whenever you add a tent or canopy, amplified sound or alcohol, even for a smaller group. The application fee is $45 plus rental fees.
Some of the most popular lakefront spots, including Olive Park, Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park, are managed separately and must be contacted directly. Paula will tell you upfront if your plan is likely to need a permit, or suggest a backyard or private venue that avoids the paperwork.
Where to put the food and drinks
Paula styles the setting and does not prepare or serve food, so you are free to bring exactly what your group loves. The question is where it goes once it arrives.
Paula can add an eight-foot side table with a tablecloth, so the food and drinks have their own spot and the picnic table stays beautiful for photos. One client hosting a going-away party said the extra table for food and drinks made the whole afternoon work. Another had a catered meal delivered and used Paula’s setup as extra seating in her front yard.
A theme that actually looks like your Pinterest board
Every group picnic has a story, and Paula designs to it. A bride’s sister asked for Midsummer Night’s Dream meets high tea. A mom sent a Pinterest photo for her daughter’s Minnie Mouse birthday. A small business wanted its brand colors on every napkin and flower.
Send your inspiration with your quote request. Paula will pick cushions, runners, candles and flowers to match, and she can add custom signs and balloon accents from her balloon work for a finished look.
Comfortable seating for every guest
Floor picnics only feel luxurious if everyone is comfortable. Each guest gets a plush cushion or pillow, with rugs and throws under the table, and Paula plans extra seating for grandparents or anyone who would rather not sit on the ground.
One mom-to-be, eight months pregnant at her own baby shower, wrote that the pillows were super comfy and that it made all the difference. Comfort is part of the design, not an afterthought.
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Group picnics
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a group picnic in a Chicago park?
The Chicago Park District requires a special event permit for outdoor gatherings of 50 or more people, and also for tents or canopies, amplified sound, alcohol, generators or inflatables, no matter the size. The application fee is $45 plus rental fees. Paula is not responsible for permits or park charges, but she will tell you whether your plan is likely to need one.
How many guests can you set up for?
Paula sizes every picnic to your guest list, from an intimate table for six to long tables for a full bachelorette or shower. Confirm your final guest count one week before the event so there is a cushion and place setting for everyone.
Is food included?
No. Paula is not licensed to serve food, so food and drinks are not part of the package. Guests bring their own, or a licensed restaurant or caterer delivers. Paula can add a separate serving table with a tablecloth for $40 so the food has its own spot.
Can the picnic match a theme or colors?
Yes. Paula has styled a Midsummer Night’s Dream high tea, an Italian-inspired baby shower, a Minnie Mouse birthday, a rainbow birthday and a team picnic in a company’s brand colors. Send your Pinterest board and she will design around it.
Can you set up in our backyard instead of a park?
Absolutely. Backyards are some of Paula’s favorite setups because there is no permit to think about and no one else on the lawn. She has styled backyard baby showers, graduations and front-yard seating for a catered party.
Plan your group picnic
Tell Paula the occasion, guest count and the look you love.