When I attempt to describe Dîner en Blanc to people, I often get looks of confusion. When I explain that you have to bring everything from the chairs and tables to a trash bag to clean up and that you do not know the meeting place until the night of the dinner, many of my friends look at me with an expression that reads "but why?”
First and foremost, you have to be invited. This goes back the beginning of Dîner en Blanc. It all began in Paris, France in 1988, when François Pasquier invited his friends to have a pop up dinner in the Bois de Boulogne . He told them to wear all white so that they could find each other in the crowd. It has since grown into a worldwide phenomenon with dinners taking place in six continents. In order to participate, you must either be chosen at random via the lottery, or be sponsored by a friend. Once you become a member, you are a member for life. If it happens that you cannot attend one year, you do have the ability to save your space for the following year.
The rules are as follows: You must bring everything and everything must be white. For basics, this means bringing a collapsible table, two folding chairs, a white table cloth, two white napkins, two white plates (non-disposable), two forks (and knives if need be), two glasses, and a trash bag. On top of that, you can embellish your table as you see fit. I've seen simple designs and then there are the tables that bring candelabras decked out in crystals and handmade marquis lights in the table owner’s initials. I opted for a small white vase, a white hydrangea, a daisy, and a handful of electric candles. The evening is meant to be elegant, magical, and completely unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.
As for the food, the event partners with some great catering options and those are available to purchase prior to the event, and this also makes it very easy as you pick up the food from a tent at the event. This year my date and I picked up Mac Mart (which for those of you who have sadly not had the pleasure of enjoying, should. Follow them on Instagram @themacmart for daily cheesy pics) because the idea of prosecco and mac n cheese sounded like the perfect combo. We also brought a selection of meat and cheese from Trader Joe's to start the evening with. To drink, you’re technically only allowed two bottles of wine or champagne per table.
Now the best part is the top secret meeting location. Every year the location is different and is a total surprise. When you sign up, you are given the option as to where you would like to meet in the city. These locations are all over the city and are set up so that people can choose which location is most convenient. Then from this location, your group leaders instruct you to either get on a bus, subway, walk, etc. to the actual location of dinner. This is how they keep the surprise. The location is meant to celebrate the history of whatever city it is in.
This year the location of dinner was in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum with tables and chairs set up in front as well as down the steps and on the landings and then into the streets. We set up our table, waved our napkins in the air, the traditional sign that you are fully set up, and began our fine dining experience of prosecco and Mac Mart. Around 9:00pm we received our sparklers from our table leader and were instructed to light them when “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay started playing. The whole crowd, all 5,000 party goers, ignited their sparklers during their assigned songs and the entire party lit up.
Once you have everything planned, have the perfect all white outfit (down to the shoes), meet at your location, and finally see a beautiful part of Philadelphia completely closed down, with tables, lights, music, and thousands of people all ready for the night of their lives, you will finally realize why.
