Earthy summer picnic ideas + a white bohemian dress round-up

Anyone else getting slightly giddy at the sight of the words “summer picnic”?! We. Are. So. Ready. Which is why when photog Laurel Klein and floral designer Michelle Selko hooked up for these earthy boho picnic ideas, we made sure to get some entertaining tips for ya as well. And we couldn’t help but round up some of our fave light, airy, bohemian dress ideas while we were at it…

Michelle explains, The design was meant to seem as though when life may be feeling like a little too much to handle, you can close your eyes and picture yourself in the most beautiful place, sitting with your closest loved ones and truly embrace the beauty of your surroundings. I used all natural tones when it came to the plates, napkins, and table runner (by the lovely Silk & Willow) to truly emphasize that feeling of calmness. The low wooden table I chose was meant to make you feel that you were truly part of nature sitting close to Earth. I chose to use mainly dried flowers that I had been drying from previous shoots I have created. I wanted the mixture of dry flowers and live flowers to bring together the essence that beauty never fades within nature and within ourselves. I wanted the overall design of the flowers to feel free and to feel that the wind naturally placed them exactly where they were meant to be.

When it comes to designing with an earthy vibe in mind, it’s all about embracing those natural surroundings.

Use the brush around you as your inspiration for texture, use the rocks you stumble upon as your color palette, and look at the sun and the skies as your open canvas to create. I was on a hike with one of my best girlfriends (who happens to be one of the beautiful models in the shoot) and as I was out of breath climbing up a hill, I looked down and saw these beautiful rocks that had this neutral tone to them. I picked one up and thought how beautiful it would be if it had a name written in calligraphy… I collected four of those rocks and had the wonderful Kelly Patrice do her calligraphy on them which are what lay on the plates in the photos.

We’re definitely fans of earth-tone color palettes around here.

And how sweet is this cake by Bella Bakes?

If you’re as obsessed with summery white dresses as we are (perhaps you’re looking for an alternative or boho wedding dress?), we’ve gathered a few of our faves below…

Thanks to Laurel, Michelle, and the talented crew below for getting us even more inspired for warmer days to come.

Photography: Laurel Klein / Florist & Design: Michelle Selko / Calligraphy: Kelly Patrice / Cake: Bella Bakes / Table Runner & Napkins: Silk & Willow