We’d been hearing about the Rosé Picnic for months — dreamy promises of wine, sunshine, and good vibes.
So, I showed up in full Barbie-core energy, best-dressed and ready for a good time.
What I got instead? Mean Girls (and guys) in a forest clearing, sponsored by pink prosecco and fashion week.
Vibe check: clique energy only
Let’s be clear — this is not the place to show up solo and expect to make new friends. It’s a place to roll up with your clique, stake your territory on the lawn, and aggressively take Instagram photos until the lighting changes.
The only interaction I witnessed between strangers? A painfully awkward conversation about chairs:
Girl 1: “Hey, where did you get that white chair?”
Girl 2: (Points) “Over there.”
Girl 1: “Do you think I can grab one?”
Girl 2: “I dunno, try.”
Honestly? That was the most social moment of the entire afternoon. I expected at least a few “cute outfit!” comments or some bubbly-fueled bonding over free samples.
But nope.
It was more “look, don’t talk,” with tightly formed circles scattered across the field like a giant influencer chessboard. Smiles? Rare. Compliments? Even rarer.
The aesthetic: Barbie meets the Bachelor
The venue itself — set against the lush, wooded grounds of the Canadian Film Centre — had so much potential. It could have leaned into a cottagecore fantasy. Instead, it was wall-to-wall pink and white.
Don’t come at me, I get the theme. But the colours kind of swallowed the setting. Think: Barbie brunch meets The Bachelor group date, with just enough chaos to remind you you’re still in Toronto.
I don’t know why I was expecting scenes from the Great Canadian Baking Challenge — a grand field surrounded by luscious trees, and a cutesy, minimalistic setup in the middle of it all with bits of pink and white sprinkled in for the aesthetic. Boy, was I wrong.
That said, the fits were fire.
Everyone came dressed to impress. And a special shout-out to the girl serving full Bridgerton fantasy in a flouncy two-piece and floral headpiece — 10/10 look, even if you didn’t return my compliment.
Pro tip: Wear sneakers, flats, wedges — pretty much anything that’s furthest from heels! I made that mistake, and I was staggering around the grassy grounds, poking holes in the field with my heels. Fail…I know.
The fashion show that no one found
In case the sea of looks wasn’t enough, there were a couple of actual fashion shows… allegedly. There were announcements directing people to the “pink carpet,” but most people (myself included) were left wandering, asking staff where it actually was. By the time we figured it out, we’d missed about seven minutes of a ten-minute show. Iconic.
The runway pieces? Cute. The signage? Not so much.
Flirty creations courtesy Meesh during the opening fashion show of the day.
The scents of the city
Let’s just say the air was… layered. Between the rosé, the perfume clouds, and the not-so-subtle whiffs of weed throughout the venue, the whole event had an oddly specific scent: Toronto party chic with a dash of vape cloud.
I really wish that they had a designated area for smokers to do their thing because the humidity, plus the other unwelcome scents, were seriously enough to give anyone a headache!
Rosé in one hand, vape in the other — is that the default Toronto wine pairing? I hope not!
The vendors deserved better
People weren’t exactly lining up to explore the vendors — unless someone was offering freebies, and there weren’t many who were — but the energy behind the booths was surprisingly wholesome. The music was hitting the mark, and you could see the vendors just dancing to their favourite beats!
Michelle from Espresso Freezie was killing it with her boozy, icy creations — a godsend under the beating sun. I sat with one in hand, trying to tan my very chalky arms and people-watch like it was my full-time job.
Espresso Freezies went viral and has been showcasing at multiple festivals around the city this summer. Michelle called Rosé Picnic “fun and pretty.”
And can we have a moment for Dove’s Refresh Lounge? M.V.P. of the day. Free mocktails, spray deodorant, chilled towels, and the kind of breezy setup that felt like a spa plopped into a photo shoot. Honestly, I spent more time there than anywhere else.
The Dove Refresh Lounge had everything from comfortable seating and shade to refreshing mocktails and body spray! A job well done.
Final thoughts: bring your friends and your camera, and look cute…
If you’re planning to go next year, here’s the tea: bring your crew, your hottest outfit, and your lowest expectations for human connection.
This isn’t a community-building moment — it’s a photo-op-heavy scene where looking good is the main event. If your goal is to make new friends, maybe try a park picnic instead. But if you’re down to sip chilled wine, flex a fit, and collect content? You’ll fit right in.
Just don’t forget your own chair.
