New York Ready To Piknyc?

There are picnics and there are Piknycs. The former are casual affairs, with just the basics foraged from your fridge. The later, well, see for yourself.

Like the rest of NYC lamenting the hazy, smoky air, all we wanted to do was to head outside and enjoy a sunny clear day in a grassy spot off the Hudson. With picnic blankets in-store (super cute Navy Plaid by Little Unicorn), we were ready for some al fresco chilling with a good book and some snacks!

Trapped indoors instead, I took to social media, trolling for inspiration and (no surprise) my eye was caught by Piknyc’s dazzling Instagram feed (@pik.nyc), replete with balloon arches and floral centerpieces, custom boards, snazzy place settings and occasional pillows galore. There were even lawn games. Wow, I thought to myself. Now that’s a picnic!

This seemed to me a fabulous summer birthday idea–throwback, simple yet insanely instagramable, with lots of opportunities for adding fun outdoor age-right activities. Needless to say, I wanted to know more!

Piknyc is the brainchild of New Yorker (via Scottsdale AZ), Annie Seddington, who worked in Arizona as a landscape architect, and then got her MBA in the city after moving east with her husband.

“During the pandemic, I saw an influx of New Yorkers wanting to socialize but couldn’t because of the lockdown regulations. As time went on, people sought social interaction outdoors in the open air,” Annie says.

This observation turned into a side hustle that quickly morphed into the main event as demand grew. Now she arranges customized luxury picnic events for groups between two and 300 people. She designs the environment, while the client can choose to BYO food, or Annie will set them up with a caterer who can handle the edibles.

“It’s perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, gender reveals, bachelorette parties, bridal showers, weddings, or even a fabulous date night,” she says.

One of the most special picnics she’s done in the last two years, was the first wedding on Pier 17 rooftop, though 1st birthday sundowners over the Hudson look pretty sweet too.

Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Battery Park—there is no shortage of gorgeous spots to situate your celebration. Although the set ups are intricate, they’re easy to book, and Annie and her team will take care of the wow-factor.

Set against the backdrop of the city it’s easy to get swept up in the romanticism of a picnic on a small patch of grass where time slows down, technology recedes, and true relaxation awaits. This may, in fact, be the real luxury that Piknyc promises.