Hidden Gems: Meet Michelle Bethea of Elaborate Outings Luxury Picnics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Bethea.

Hi Michelle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Sure, I’m Michelle Bethea, I’m the owner of Elaborate Outings Luxury Picnics here in Wilmington NC. In April 2021, I was looking on TikTok for content to showcase my inventory for my accessories boutique. I saw a video of a woman showing this beautiful layout with a table and pillows. That day I was introduced to the term “Luxury Picnics”. I couldn’t get the image off my mind. I’d go to sleep thinking about her picnic and wake up thinking about it so I messaged her and she told me everything I’d need to start up Elaborate Outings. If I’m fully transparent, in the early 2000s, my pastor set up a glass table and nice chairs on the beach to surprise her husband, the co-pastor with breakfast on the beach for his birthday. She included a photoshoot as well. I and a select few of church members had helped with the setup and I was extremely hopeful that one day “I was going to do this for my future husband”.

Years later, I now understand that “extreme hopefulness ” was in fact a calling. My idea was to sow seeds of love to couples who are in love and only host picnics for couples. After a few “couple’s only picnics”, guests were requesting to book larger guest size events. I honored their requests.

A year later, I’ve hosted picnics for birthdays, anniversaries, date nights, self-care, church youth groups, proposals, and bridal showers. I’ve been featured in Star News, Wilma Magazine, Cape Fear Living Magazine, and Greater Wilmington Business Journal, I am the Coastal Entrepreneur’s 2022 Entrepreneur of the Year in the Minority-Owned Business Category and now I can add Voyage Raleigh to the roster all while being a full-time PreK teacher.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For the most part, the business has been smooth. Being an outdoor event planner, the weather serves as a struggle.

Thankfully I partnered with The Self-Love Museum. It’s a photography studio with different backgrounds. Guests go there for fun as well as photo shoots so it’s the perfect location for an indoor option when the weather is inclement and outdoors isn’t an option.

We’ve been impressed with Elaborate Outings Luxury Picnics LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Since the pandemic began there’s been a new focus on the quality of life and the outdoors. I provide extravagant outdoor events for customers who have a vision but need my expertise in the planning and creative process. In this planning and creative process, I also offer today’s most priceless commodity; your time.

From start to finish I plan the layout, bring items to the location, and decorate and clean up after the event is over.

All the customer does is give the guest count and address to the location. What sets Elaborate Outings apart from others is I make all events priority. I will accept schedules to host outings after work, I’ll request time off for weekday event requests, and will wake up early on weekends to host sunrise outings on the beach. Elaborate Outings also serves guests their meals, when our catering is requested, adding that full restaurant feel while being exposed to fine dining without walls.

I’m most proud that as the owner of the company, I have succeeded in making the company known for its excellent customer service and experience. I couldn’t do it without the help of an amazing staff.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can work with me simply by reaching out and letting me know how working together can benefit customers. I currently collaborate with local businesses for indoor options, charcuterie, catering, Saxophonist, a balloonist, a dessert company, and photography.

I’m always looking to work with other companies with a common goal of excellence in customer satisfaction. I can be supported by being booked at least 4 times a week to work my business part-time in order to scale into full-time.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elaborateoutings.com
• Instagram: Elaborate Outings Luxury Picnics
• Facebook: Elaborate Outings Luxury Picnics

Image Credits
Jessica Lee Photography and Young Soul Media