FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

how do LUXE LAKESIDE picnics work?

We set up a beautiful and luxurious picnic in your chosen location and then disappear for the picnic duration of three hours, leaving you to relax and enjoy your special event without any stress. We’ll then return at the completion time to pack everything up and leave the area as pristine as we found it. Every Luxe Lakeside picnic includes premium umbrellas (unless windy or indoors), picnic tables, rugs, cushions, table decor, dried flowers, glassware, plates, cutlery, placemats, napery, a champagne bucket with ice, and mineral water.

What styles and themes do you offer?

We offer four stunning themes to choose from: La Bohème, Amalfi Azure, House of Hamptons, and Candyland Chic. You can find out more about our luxe themes here.

Can I come and see your picnics before i book?

Our items are carefully kept in storage to minimise damage, so we are unable to take appointments for inventory viewings. However, please feel welcome to view our picnic setups here.

Can i style my own picnic with your decor?

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer this service due to the delicate nature and fragility of our items.

How long do the picnics last?

Our picnics run for three hours, not including the time it takes for us to set up and pack down. We can offer extended packages at a rate of $200 total per additional hour (please note that this does not include extra catering).

where do you set up THE picnics?

We can set up your beautiful picnic anywhere you like in Lake Macquarie, the Hunter Valley or Newcastle! We also create picnic experiences in The Central Coast and Port Stephens for 14+ guests. Location examples include in a public park, inside your home, in your backyard, or at one of our suggested locations (please contact us for our list). Please note that picnics located in the Hunter Valley, Central Coast and Port Stephens will incur an additional $100 travel fee.

What is included in your GRAZING BOXES?

Our LUXEgraze boxes are exclusively prepared by Great Est Grazing, Sugar Style, and Pork Ewe Deli and feature premium local and imported ingredients. Choose from meat-based, vegetarian, and gluten-free grazing. Please feel welcome to view our meat-based grazing platter sample menu. You are also welcome to bring your own food to your picnic and pay for only the picnic setup.

CAN I BOOK JUST THE PICNIC SETUP AND BRING MY OWN FOOD?

Absolutely! Our pricing page has prices listed both with and without grazing boxes included.

Do you cater for special dietary requirements?

We offer meat-based, vegetarian, and gluten-free grazing boxes. You are also welcome to bring your own food to your picnic to cater for any additional dietary requirements.

Do you supply alcohol AT YOUR PICNICS?

As we are not licensed to serve alcohol, we do not provide alcohol for our picnic experiences. However, all our picnic setups include glassware and a champagne bucket with ice, so please feel welcome to BYO! You are also welcome to order from our Luxe Lakeside wine list, specially curated for our guests by Carey Bay Cellars. If you order direct from Carey Bay Cellars and say you are attending a Luxe Lakeside picnic, we will pick up your order for you and bring it to your picnic free of charge. We love to make our guests feel special! Please visit our platters page to view the wine list, and phone (02) 4959 4336 or email careybaycellars@gmail.com to place your order.

HOW MUCH NOTICE IS REQUIRED TO BOOK?

We usually require a minimum of two weeks’ notice to book a picnic, as every experience we offer is carefully planned and curated. If you have an event that is more urgent, please feel welcome to contact us.

HOW DOES THE PAYMENT PROCESS WORK?

We require a $200 deposit to secure your booking, and the remaining amount is due 10 days before your event date.

WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY A SECURITY BOND?

Because we leave the area during your picnic so you can enjoy your event without us hovering awkwardly nearby, we require an upfront security bond payment of $200 for every group booking and $50 for every couple’s booking in case any items are lost, damaged, or returned with stains that require professional cleaning. This bond will be returned to you within five working days after we have packed up your picnic and confirmed that all items are still in their original/undamaged condition. Thank you for your understanding.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

Due to the high number of bookings we receive, we cannot refund deposits due to poor weather or change of mind. However, we are happy to reschedule your event with up to five days’ notice. In the event of an uncontrollable force such as a natural disaster or pandemic, we can reschedule your event for up to one year. There is no limit to rescheduling events when government-mandated restrictions are imposed that make your event impossible to hold.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER LOOKS BAD?

We understand that rainy weather is anything but ideal for an outdoor picnic, and we don’t want this possibility to cause you any stress. We thoroughly recommend that every outdoor picnic booking has a backup location organised in the event of poor weather – preferably something indoors. As our items are all of high quality, including our lovely rugs and cushions, under no circumstances can we set up a picnic in the rain or on wet, muddy ground. If the weather isn’t looking good ahead of your booking date and you don’t wish to move the event inside or undercover, we can reschedule at no extra charge with up to five days’ notice. Unfortunately, we cannot refund deposits due to wet weather cancellation.

WHAT IF I AM LATE ARRIVING TO MY PICNIC?

Your picnic begins at the agreed booking time. If you arrive more than 15 minutes after the agreed start time, we will need to charge a waiting fee of $5 for every five-minute waiting interval, as we may have other picnics scheduled that same day.

WHAT HAPPENS IF AN ITEM GETS DAMAGED OR GOES MISSING?

Everything we supply is of lovely quality, so please take care of our items. Please note that we require a $200 bond for every booking. This will be returned to you within five days after we have packed up your picnic and confirmed that all items are still in their original/undamaged condition. If any items, including textiles, are returned with stains and require professional cleaning, you will also be liable to cover these costs out of the bond. Thank you for your understanding.

WHAT DO WE DO WHEN WE ARE FINISHED?

After we have set up your picnic, we will leave the area so you can relax and enjoy your picnic without us hanging around. As a result, you are responsible for the picnic items until we arrive to pack up at the agreed completion time.

I HAVE A QUESTION THAT ISN’T COVERED HERE.

Please feel welcome to contact us at any time. Thank you!