Reni Papalexiou shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Reni, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
One of the most common misconceptions is that what we do is simply a picnic setup or a decorative service. At Sun Served Bespoke Picnics, our work is about so much more than a beautiful table in a park or room décor. We create intentional spaces where people can pause, be present, and truly celebrate life’s moments.
Luxury for us isn’t defined only by exclusivity—it’s about the quality of the experience and the intentional time spent with loved ones. That’s why we describe it as ‘luxury as time.’ Some of our offerings are exclusive and highly curated, but the heart of our brand is about helping people feel connection, beauty, and memory-making in every detail.
Whether it’s a proposal, a micro-wedding, a flower box subscription, or even a breakfast box delivery, what we provide is not just a service—it’s a moment that becomes a lasting memory. That deeper purpose is often misunderstood, but it’s what makes Sun Served what it is: a luxury lifestyle brand creating magical moments
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Reni Papalexiou, and I’m the founder and creative director of Sun Served Bespoke Picnics, a luxury lifestyle company based in Sarasota, Florida. We design experiences that celebrate connection and presence—whether through our signature luxury picnics, proposals, and micro-weddings, or through thoughtful gifting such as custom and personalized gifting, flower boxes, breakfast boxes, and subscriptions.
What makes Sun Served unique is that we don’t just create events or products—we create magical moments that live well beyond the day itself. Our philosophy is that luxury isn’t only about exclusivity, it’s about time: the intentional choice to pause, to be present, and to celebrate.
Over the past few years, our brand has evolved to serve not only private clients but also our community. We’ve partnered with local institutions, collaborated on fundraisers, and remained actively engaged with Visit Sarasota County and the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce. For me, what makes Sun Served truly special is that we’re not just in the business of celebrations—we’re in the business of making people feel the moment.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
We believe what breaks the bonds between people is often a lack of presence. In the fast pace of daily life, it’s easy to let distractions, schedules, and responsibilities take priority over meaningful time together. When moments pass without intention, relationships can feel distant.
What restores those bonds is time—time spent with presence, beauty, and connection at the center. That’s the heart of what we do at Sun Served. Whether it’s a luxury picnic, a proposal, a flower box, or even a breakfast box shared at home, our services are designed to create intentional moments where people can pause, celebrate, and feel together again. For us, luxury is about more than aesthetics—it’s about giving people the gift of time to reconnect and create memories that last long after the occasion has ended.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
Yes, I remember a time early in my journey when I was sharing the vision for Sun Served. Someone listened so attentively—not just to the words I was saying, but to the meaning behind them. They heard my passion for creating experiences that go beyond decoration, and they reflected back to me that what I was really describing was a philosophy: helping people slow down, be present, and celebrate with intention.
That moment stayed with me because it reminded me how powerful it feels to be deeply heard. It’s also how I approach every client interaction at Sun Served. We don’t offer cookie-cutter services. We listen—to their stories, their dreams, and the feelings they want to capture—so we can design experiences that feel like them. From luxury picnics to micro-weddings to something as simple yet meaningful as a flower box delivery, the details all begin with listening.
That’s what makes what we do special: it’s not just aesthetics, it’s the care, the intention, and the memory that listening helps us create.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
At Sun Served, the cultural value we protect at all costs is intentionality. In a world where everything moves quickly and experiences can feel rushed or transactional, we are committed to slowing down and creating moments of presence.
For us, intentionality means every detail has a purpose—whether it’s the way a picnic table is styled, the flowers chosen for a box, or the personal touch added to a breakfast delivery. It’s about listening deeply to our clients and designing experiences that feel authentic to them, not just beautiful on the surface.
This value is what makes Sun Served unique: we don’t just curate events or gifts, we create magical moments that people carry with them long after. Protecting intentionality ensures that whether our client is a local family, a tourist visiting Sarasota, or someone planning a once-in-a-lifetime proposal, they all receive the same level of care, thoughtfulness, and meaning.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, I think our customers would miss the way we make them feel. Anyone can set a table or deliver a gift, but what makes Sun Served Bespoke Picnics special is the intention, personalization, and care behind every detail. Clients often tell us it’s not just the picnic or the flower box they remember—it’s the magic of the moment itself, and how it made them feel connected and celebrated.
They’d also miss our ability to make the extraordinary feel effortless. From once-in-a-lifetime proposals to simple yet thoughtful breakfast boxes, we design experiences that bring surprise, beauty, and presence into people’s lives. For us, true luxury isn’t only about exclusivity—it’s about time: creating the space for people to pause, be intentional, and gather in a way that becomes unforgettable. That’s what our clients would miss most—the trust that with Sun Served Bespoke Picnics, every occasion turns into a lasting memory.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunserved.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sunserved
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/sunserved
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/sunserved
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sun-served-bespoke-picnics-sarasota
- Other: Google:
https://share.google/CVaCDBxxEt8tFOPYdVisit Sarasota County:
https://www.visitsarasota.com/attractions-tours/sun-served-bespoke-picnicsSiesta Key Chamber of Commerce:
Wedding Wire:
https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/sun-served-bespoke-picnics/6def9133aadade5c.htmlThe Knot:
https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/sun-served-bespoke-picnics-sarasota-fl-2083398
Image Credits
all images reserved to Sun Served Bespoke Picnics
