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?
Jennifer says
Oh my gosh!!! So many memories – I LOVE that they’re doing this.
Yes!! Please try and recreate the recipe – sounds so yummy!
Taralynn McNitt says
I’m so happy you experienced the Duke Mansion!!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
This is the cutest date! I love the picnic setup! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Charmaine!
Amanda says
I got married there at Christmas time – it was so beautiful and they were wonderful to work with!
Taralynn McNitt says
Wow!!! I bet that was a dream!
Ashton Jury says
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!
Taralynn McNitt says
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
Holly says
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.
Taralynn McNitt says
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!
Katie says
You look stunning! Who took the photos?
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Katie!
Thank you! 😊 Kyle took them!
Jenny says
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
Taralynn McNitt says
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!
Dana A Ivy says
Just lovely!!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you, Dana!
Jessie says
What a beautiful dress!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you!
Milena says
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
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Milena!
What a fun weekend you have planned! Enjoy your time with your friend!! xo
Brooklyn says
I absolutely love that idea! Picnics are the best, and even better when you have the Duke Mansion grounds to yourselves. Sounds lovely!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Brooklyn!
Casey says
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!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you Casey!
Have a great weekend!
Harriet says
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.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you!!!! ♥️
Sounds like the perfect weekend, Harriet! xo
Natasha Salonen says
Looks like a lovely date night spot! Also, I love your hat, where is it from??
Taralynn McNitt says
Amazon!!
Mathilde says
The Duke Mansion seems like a lovely venue for a picnic 🙂 Also, I absolutely love your outfit 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you!!
Jascie says
Beautiful photos of the Duke Mansion!