If you’ve ever seen a video on the internet and thought to yourself, ‘I could do that,’ Gina Granert knows exactly how you feel. She took things a step further and turned that tentative idea inspired by a TikTok video into a successful reality here in Northeast Florida.
“I’ve always had a passion for creating beautiful, intentional gatherings, so when I saw the opportunity to bring something unique to the First Coast, I knew I had to do it,” she said.
A first-time business owner, Granert opened First Coast Picnics in 2021 as a way to provide luxury picnic experiences inspired by bohemian and coastal styles.
Clients can select a theme, with options ranging from Amalfi Coast or English Countryside-inspired to Autumn Luxe or Winter’s Glow styles, and First Coast Picnics will provide everything they need for an unforgettable picnic. Elaborate decorations, fringed umbrellas, cutlery, linens, plates, glasses, faux florals, and string lights are just a few of the tricks that Granert pulls out of her hat on a booking day.
Whether clients book a private picnic experience for a birthday celebration, romantic date night, or simply for the sake of a unique afternoon, Granert and First Coast Picnics promise extraordinary occasions at the beaches, local parks, private backyards, or public venues.
Proposals have become another significant component of First Coast Picnics’ work. Clients can book a ‘Proposal’ package with options of 3-foot tall marquee letters spelling out ‘marry me’ in dazzling lights or floral arch backdrops and an LED sign with the same question. A ring and the love of your life are B.Y.O., of course, but First Coast Picnics will also provide aisle runners, lighted pathways, silk roses, garden trellises, and candles.
“Since we started doing proposals, business has been booming, because lots of people are wanting a big event for their proposals,” Granert said. “When I see our clients’ faces, their reactions when they see the setup, that’s one of my most rewarding moments.”
First Coast Picnics started small, but through word-of-mouth and an active presence on social media, the business has become the talk of the town. Granert said they now have many repeat customers and loyal clients who recommend the picnic setup to friends and family. Plus, 105,000 followers on Instagram doesn’t hurt, either.
Granert is immensely proud of the achievements her business has accomplished so far and says she looks forward to expanding in the future with larger events and more full-scale tablescaping.
“First Coast Picnics not only allows me to create special moments for clients but also to empower other women in the event industry,” she said. “It’s been so fun to see people gather around a table and share some intimate moments with their loved ones.”
First Coast Picnics currently services the entire First Coast area, from Fernandina to St. Augustine.
