Finding socially distant activities for small groups can be a challenge, but there’s always one that never fails: a picnic.
Spending an afternoon or evening at the park with friends or your trusted, and regularly coronavirus-tested family members—all while eating a full meal or cute finger foods and sipping on something refreshing—can be a godsend for your mental health. But some people must always level up, no matter what they're doing.
Thankfully there’s someone who can help you with that. A Tailor’d Picnics owner Bri Anderson started her business early this summer as a way to blend her two favorite things: being outside and snacking.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m in the office or restaurant, I have my snacks. I already like to be outside so having good drinks and snacks is everything to me,” Anderson tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.
In addition to planning picnics, Anderson runs A Tailor’d Designs, where she customizes items like cups and T-shirts. Prior to starting her businesses, Anderson worked several jobs from corporate to hospitality. Despite the uncertainty of working for herself during a pandemic, she says the new endeavor has worked out really well for her so far.
“I was surprised it got booked as quickly as it did. I’m busy every single week,” she says.
Anderson has a long history in event planning, which starts back in 2016 when she interned for Desireé Thornton of A.M.E.E Event Planning in Atlanta. Anderson helped plan large events like weddings and bar mitzvahs. A.M.E.E Event Planning was even featured on an episode of “Say Yes to the Dress.”
“Working under her was the best decision I made career-wise. She taught me a lot and I don’t feel like I’d be where I am now without her,” says Anderson.
Anderson offers picnics in Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, and Miami. She doesn’t mind the drive between Florida and Georgia since she’s from Atlanta and she enjoys driving anyway. Picnics can be tailored for any occasion from engagements to birthday parties. Clients don’t need to bring anything with them because Anderson takes a hands-on approach when putting the picnics together. Everything a client needs including tables, pillows, and place settings is included. Light snacks like popcorn and pretzels are options also. Clients can also select food from her partners Gather ‘Round & Graze or Creatively Iced, but if a client asks her to pick up a meal, she’ll do that, too, for an extra fee.
“I’ve had clients give me the money to get their food and set it up. If it’s a surprise, they don’t want to give anything away,” she says.
A two-hour picnic for two is $185 while a group of four starts at $250. The largest party she’s accommodated was 18 people for $600. Considering the COVID-19 rules for socially distancing, the decision for how large of a party is ultimately left up to the client.
“The picnics are whatever you want to do because it’s up to you. Once I set up the picnic, I’m not there until it’s time for me to return,” she says.
Anderson says more services outside of picnics will be offered soon. Event planning and weddings are all in her future, but for now the look on a client’s face when they first see the picnic never gets old.
“I try to stick around and get their reactions. That’s what I do it for,” she says.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CH21LPjMJscUPDATED: 12/1/20 5 p.m. Updated pricing.
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This article appears in Nov 26 – Dec 2, 2020.