An inviting, warm evening breeze kicks up as we drive down a rutted red dirt road, its ruddy soil so synonymous with the exquisite beauty of Prince Edward Island’s landscapes. With the large dunes of the island’s north shore and St. Peter’s Harbour Lighthouse coming into focus, anticipation grows for the dinner date on the stretches of sand ahead.

On any visit to P.E.I., there are things you expect to find, but a front-row seat by the sea, with an expansive picnic spread is not always one of them. Here, on an endless white sand beach, just past the tapered light tower, Natalie Haddad, owner of Cordial Picnics, P.E.I.’s first luxury picnic business, scatters blankets, plump pink, white and tan throw cushions, and a low wooden picnic table. On it sit two long white candle tapers, framing a bouquet of fresh cut flowers, the palest pink roses. Nearby, two individual vases hold single roses.

Bottles of sparkling rose lemonade rest beside elegant goblets, pink and white checked napkins carefully folded over rose-patterned plates, positioned on wicker chargers. To the left, a wicker mat holds a picnic basket, cozy vibes and a blanket spilling over top, a white lantern beside it. To the right, a pink and white fringed umbrella stands in the sand, a lacy, white cloth covering its base.

The hypnotic melody of rushing waves sounds as geese fly overhead in a V formation and the sun drifts, painting the sky dreamy hues while a full charcuterie board beckons.

At the table for two, we sit at twilight, alone save two dogwalkers who disappear down the shoreline and a couple, barely visible down the beach, brave enough to venture into the Atlantic swells. A young family in their Sunday best have come and gone, their portraits done.

The setting, so tranquil and beautiful, offers a peerless spotlight on P.E.I.’s natural majesty, and showcases the magic Natalie creates on the sands.

“It’s where the best conversations happen. Memories are made. That’s why people love it,” says Natalie, entering her fourth year operating Cordial Picnics. “I’ve always had a passion for aesthetics, for food, the outdoors, the beach, and hanging out in P.E.I.”

Well before the birth of Cordial Picnics, she’d gathered up pillows and blankets, friends and family, and staged a luxury picnic on the sands of North Rustico Beach, one of her favourite spots. “It’s close to Charlottetown, but also has the best views of the ocean, and the sunsets are amazing,” she says. “It’s a magical place. We had music playing. It was just such a special moment for me. It had everyone I loved in it, in a beautiful setting, in P.E.I. It was creating memories.”

It didn’t take long to translate the memorable experience into a business idea of offering gourmet picnics with good food and fine décor in beautiful, memorable settings. 

“It’s everything I love: décor, making aesthetic food boards, gathering with friends. It made sense,” she says. “I wanted to offer something exciting for P.E.I., something new, to make an experience for people to enjoy.”

Natalie says she does picnics for many occasions: surprise parties, spreads for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, bachelorettes, and once a divorce picnic party. “We want to celebrate all the moments,” she says. “It’s very customizable.”

She offers picnics on the North Shore in North Rustico and Lakeside and on the South Shore on Argyle Shore and in Victoria-by-the-Sea, plus private locations.

Picnics come with a charcuterie box for each person and a sparkling drink. From there, guests can choose add-ons like cocktail lessons or a photographer to capture the special moments.

Clients can book night picnics with string lights and lanterns making an ultra-romantic setting.

While each picnic varies slightly in colour palette and theme, the vibe remains constant as guests take a seat before a swoon-worthy setting.

“You can set up a picnic anywhere and have stunning views,” she says. “I’m fortunate to be living here. It has the most stunning locations. P.E.I. is a very special place to me. The views never disappoint, and the colours ... the blues, the greens, the reds, and tan, the rolling hills, the wildflowers, the big fields, the ocean. I just love the white sand beaches.”

Picnics last two hours, and there’s an option to add an extra hour.

Calling it the “best summer gig ever,” Natalie says a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make the business succeed. You must be a picnic curator, good at social media, and be able to set up the picnics, she says. “Your life is picnics,” she says. “You commit for four months.”

Her family helps. Beyond this support, she learns from their example — they previously ran a video store and a deli. “They were very passionate and inspired me to start my own thing,” she says.

Highlights this past summer included hosting a 10-person picnic for women entrepreneurs. “We had these really amazing and inspiring women together around a lavish, long, beautiful summer garden picnic who came together to talk about what they do,” she recalls.

As for the business name? Natalie says she wanted the name to have some kind of P.E.I. meaning. Then it hit her: Cordial Picnics. The raspberry cordial is forever intertwined with the fictional red-haired orphan named Anne from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables books, herself forever intertwined with P.E.I. Plus, the word itself fits: “cordial, meaning friendly.” 

Make your own special picnic
There’s always the quintessential picnic basket with the plaid or gingham blanket, but you can up your home game, too.

• Use fresh flowers. It makes a huge difference.
• Use colourful china or stoneware plates, and cloth napkins, all of which will be reused.
• If possible, depending on where you’re going to spread your picnic, use nice glasses and mugs for beverages.
• What do you like to eat for a special occasion? Some ideas include: cold fried chicken, a range of sandwiches, charcuterie boards with meats, cheeses and garnishes, chocolate-dipped fresh fruit, and of course, special dessert pastries.
• If doing a charcuterie board, don’t be afraid to splurge a little. Get the fancy cheeses and chocolates.
• If serving alcohol, include a non-alcoholic beverage for the driver.