Date Night: Sunset Picnic in the Gardens at the Duke Mansion
Good morning, everyone!
Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. Even though the week flew by, I’m excited about my weekend plans. Tomorrow, I’m spending the day at the beach with Becca and cannot wait for our mini trip. We love our beach trips together! It’s been since Miami since stepping foot in the sand.
Last Friday, Kyle and I headed to the Duke Mansion for a date night. They offer picnic packages that let you pick a menu, a date, and time to have a picnic in their gardens. I loved that idea and had to sign up asap. I thought I’d share the photos with you all before signing off for the weekend.
The Duke Mansion is breathtakingly stunning.
We were the only ones there in the garden, which made for a romantic date night. It was so quiet that you could hear the birds singing and the sounds of summer cicadas.
There are several menus to choose from when booking your picnic. We chose the southern salads, which came with grilled chicken, hardboiled eggs, tomatoes, cheddar, cucumber, onions, field greens, and a lemon vinaigrette. It came with gluten-free garlic toast, (gf) pasta salad with a Tuscan herb dressing, (gf) sundrop lemon pound cake with strawberry icing, and raspberry iced tea. We also chose the Ballard Lane Chardonnay.
The striped linen puff dress I wore is now 50% off 😊 I bought it back in March, and I was excited to get the chance to wear it finally. The ribboned sun hat was an Amazon find, but I typically use it for gardening.
This pound cake was one of the most delicious and refreshing desserts I’ve had in a while. The fresh lemon flavor paired with the fruity icing can’t be matched. If these were ever available to purchase on the regular, I’d be in trouble!
My basket is from a vintage cottage shop at the Gibson Mill.
My favorite time of the evening is when the warm light casts shadows.
Kyle and I are going to plan a stay-cation here soon!
If you live near Charlotte or planning a visit, definitely reach out to the Duke Mansion and inquiry about their picnics! It was such a special evening 💜 Thanks for stopping by to check out the photos!
Questions for you!
- Do you regularly have picnics?
- Any special plans for the weekend?
- Should I try to find that lemon pound cake recipe?
Oh my gosh!!! So many memories – I LOVE that they’re doing this.
Yes!! Please try and recreate the recipe – sounds so yummy!
I’m so happy you experienced the Duke Mansion!!
This is the cutest date! I love the picnic setup! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thanks, Charmaine!
I got married there at Christmas time – it was so beautiful and they were wonderful to work with!
Wow!!! I bet that was a dream!
We usually do picnics and movies in the cemetery over the summer but it’s canceled this year sadly. Or we picnic at the Hollywood Bowl, you should check it out when you come to California to visit your brother! That garden was gorgeous, and I’m definetly adding that to my list of things to do in the south along with the Biltmore. Also 100% yes to trying to make the lemon poundcake, maybe with a blueberry topping? I think they pair so well together. No plans for the weekend here, just cleaning things out and baking, maybe some runs or bike rides to the beach. Have fun on your beach trip!Also thanks for linking that dress! Its amazing and I am purchasing it!
Hi, Ashton!
Picnics in the cemetery? WHAT! 😆 #brave
I’ll totally check that out. I think he’s talked about Hollywood Bowl!
You’ll absolutely love those places when you visit here.
xo xo xo
Wow that looks like such a beautiful place! That makes me want to go and take a tour! I love the photos–they remind me of old-timey ones.
I love picnics, but don’t usually have them…although that sounds like the perfect date night idea!
No special plans for the weekend other than deep cleaning my house lol. Somehow with the 4th last weekend, I’ve managed to let my house go way downhill. Hope you have a great weekend 🙂
YES! I love lemon anything. Lemon pound cake sounds amazing.
Hi, Holly!!
It’s such a dream spot! I didn’t want to leave.
Ohhhh we have the same weekend plans. I’ll also be deep cleaning the house!
You look stunning! Who took the photos?
Hi, Katie!
Thank you! 😊 Kyle took them!
That evening looks AMAZING! You look absolutely beautiful in that dress and hat with that mansion and garden as the backdrop.
Hmmmm….do you think it was based off of this?
https://www.bedandbreakfast.com/ListingRecipes.aspx?inn=621740&recipe=41974
Enjoy your weekend!
Jenny
Aw! Thanks so much, Jenny!!
It could be!! but it was gluten-free so I need their exact recipe 😆 Maybe i’ll try that one you sent with a gluten-free spin!
Just lovely!!
Thank you, Dana!
What a beautiful dress!
Thank you!
Hi Taralynn,
This place looks so beautiful! Like from an old movie <3
Sometimes I have picnics on the beach. Now I would like to try in an old mansion as well, must be a great experience!
My friend from Poland came to visit us in Barcelona so we are planning brunch tomorrow and a photo session in some nice place 🙂 She''s staying for one week and I'm super happy yo have her here 🙂
Enjoy your weekend plans!
Kisses from Barcelona
Thanks, Milena!
What a fun weekend you have planned! Enjoy your time with your friend!! xo
I absolutely love that idea! Picnics are the best, and even better when you have the Duke Mansion grounds to yourselves. Sounds lovely!
Thanks, Brooklyn!
Love picnics, don’t have them often. Volunteering this weekend and dinner with my brother & family. YES find the pound cake recipe! Love your dress and hat, you looked so nice….food looked amazing!
Thank you Casey!
Have a great weekend!
WOW what a stunning place to have a date night. I bet you could spend hours walking around the beautiful grounds. Your dress is so cute! Please try to find a lemon pound cake recipe, they look so dam good! This weekend we headed to the beach a few hours away to test out our new boat and we packed a picnic to have on one of the islands about 20 miles off the coast, it was such a nice weekend to just unwind with out any technology. Hope you have a great week.
Thank you!!!! ♥️
Sounds like the perfect weekend, Harriet! xo
Looks like a lovely date night spot! Also, I love your hat, where is it from??
Amazon!!
The Duke Mansion seems like a lovely venue for a picnic 🙂 Also, I absolutely love your outfit 🙂
Thank you!!
Beautiful photos of the Duke Mansion!