History of Diner En Blanc
Upon returning from being abroad in France, Francois Pasquier returned home to Paris and invited his friends to dinner. In the summer of 1988, they met at Parc de Bagatelle in the Bois de Boulogne. Mr. Pasquier friends were instructed to wear all white, in order to easily identify one another when arriving at the park. This was the start of something magnificent. Diner en Blanc is now held in over 70 cities and countries including America, Middle East, Asia, Europe, Pacifica and Africa.
My story of Diner En Blanc: Los Angeles
I saw friends post pictures of an all-white party last year on Instagram and Facebook. I was curious about the event and decided I would would attend this year. Unfortunately, the expected date for Diner en Blanc Los Angeles was on the same date that I was going to be out of town. Bad news: I had to cancel my vacation, Good News: I was now able to attend Diner en Blanc. I was going to be able to go the largest all white dinner party. The cool part is that the the secret location would not be revealed until minutes before I arrived.
I placed my name on the wait list and received the email to register several weeks later. As I attempted to register, I kept receiving an error message and was unable to complete the registration. I contacted organizers via social media who informed me that the tickets were sold out. I was devastated and bummed that I could not go. Several days later, someone posted on Facebook that they needed a plus one to attend with them. I immediately contacted them, to claim the extra ticket. I was super excited but felt overwhelmed due to the preparation needed to attend the event.
When you sign up to register you are allowed to pick your location and team leader. Due to my partner registering in advance, I was provided with designated location and team leader. On 11/4/16, I arrived in Downtown LA at City Hall. It was a little frustrating because there is minimal parking in DTLA. I eventually found a parking lot near the location but had to call an LYFT driver because I was unable to carry all my items (table decorations, food, and chairs) to the meeting location. After arriving I was able to have my partner carry the chairs and I continued carrying the rest of the items. We had to walk several blocks up a hill to our secret location, which turned out to be the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Center. Other locations such as Lankershim and Redondo Beach were bused to the Pavilion Center. I think I would have preferred to take a bus to the secret location instead of walking up a hill with sweat forming on my forehead and under my armpits.
After arriving my partner and I set up the table and decorations in a row in accordance with our table leader and group.
Shortly after setting up, you are allowed to eat, drink and be merry. While conversation is flowing and dinner is being eaten, soft music is being played in the background.
I enjoyed meeting my partner who is a part of my travel group but whom I have never met before. We were great at communicating prior to the event and conservation flowed easily throughout the night. I definitely think we will remain in touch and see each other at various local events.
I also sat next to an old high school classmate. Although she didn’t remember me, we were able to reminisce about high school and realized we indeed have mutual friends on Facebook.
Entertainment included acrobats, performers on stilts, and a photo booth. Soon after dinner is finished, the DJ cranks up the music and everybody goes to the dance floor.
Being prepared to attend Diner en Blanc
- Pay- $37 for ticket and $8 for membership fee (Please sign up now, https://www.dinerenblanc.info if you are interested in attending next year)
- Purchase- a white table, chairs, linen and table decorations (My partner purchased a collapsible table from amazon $49. 25 and I borrowed the other items from a friend)
- Food-Trying to decide what to bring was difficult because I knew that I couldn’t warm the food once arriving. I decided to bring sandwiches, chips, macaroni salad dessert (Strawberries, cake & whip cream). At the last minute, my partner bought El Salvadorian food (Steak, rice, and salad) which stayed warm and was delicious.
- Plate and Silverware- Must be real; plastic is not permitted but is to be noted your table will not be checked for real or plastic ware.
- Outfit- It is difficult to find white after Labor Day. I found a couple of white outfits but didn’t like the way they fit. I decided to wear a white dress I had in my closet. You must wear head to toe white but you can accent with silver or gold. Be elaborate as possible with head pieces or accessories.
Follow her on Instagram @sirenmasquerades - I recommend bringing a wagon or dolly to carry your items in case you have to carry them to the secret location.
In preparation for next year, I would bring fewer items, try to invite more people and bring something to carry my items in. Despite all the preparation to attend the event, I will be back next year. The ambiance, food, entertainment, and people having a great time made the event a fun and successful evening. Don’t forget to check out Diner en Blanc 2017 in your local city!
I always see these they look like a good time. There isn’t one in my area
What city do you live in?
This looks like loads of fun. I always wondered what was with this no white after labor day. I wear what I want when I want!!
Yes I had a good time! Exactly me too, I don’t follow crazy rules that lord knows who made up. LOL
I love your posts. You always find the neatest things to do in other countries. And yes, I wear white after Labor DAY!!
Thanks so much Tanya, appreciate it! This was in Los Angeles, but i would love to experience Diner en Blanc in another country especially Paris where it originated at. I need to research on who invented this crazy rule about Labor Day..
Love it! Looks like you had a great time. Love your white dress! I haven’t been to one yet, but they do have them in DC.
Yes i had a wonderful time, you def have to check it out in DC next year!
The dessert looks delicious and I loved your white dress!
Thanks, the dress was a oldie but goodie!
Looks like you had a good time. I’ve gone the past two years and always have such a good time.
Good times, I will most likely attend next year as well! I seem someone in my travel group go to like 4 in different cities, she had a diff experience at each one..
This looks like a bunch of fun! I really need to figure out if they do this in my area.
Yes it is! What city do you live in?
This is one of my favorite events! My husband and I always have a BLAST!
Yes it was a blast, can’t wait to bring more people next year..
I am so jealous of your experience. One of these days I need to go to one. My friends that do go never invite me.
I have never agreed with this thought of not wearing white after Labor Day. You look beautiful, dear!
I think it was somebody who made a random rule. LOL Thank you much, I appreciate it.
I think you look amazing and this party must be amazing for you to cancel your vacation!
Unfortunately I was forced to cancel due to work but I’m glad I had an alternative plan. It was a good time.
Looks and sounds like a great time! I’m all for white after Labor Day!
Yes me too, I will be wearing all year round.. LOL
You look so pretty and it looks like you had an amazing time. I have always wanted to attend but it seems like so much work. Oh, and white can be worn all year, honey. We don’t subscribe to that anymore. LOL!
LOL its true, I don’t think anybody subscribes to that anymore but I want to know where it originated from. It was a lot of work but if I go this year I know how to do less work to make it easier. You should try it at least once for the experience.
What a lovely idea! Looks like a wonderful event. I live in FL and since its over 75 for most of the year I have no problems wearing white year round 🙂
Thank you. I like the idea and concept of the event. The all white dress code, the secret location, bringing your items and entertainment all made me interested in attending. Florida sounds like my type of weather.
Great Event! Everytime I see someone about about this event I hope they eventually bring it to my city!!
What city do you live in? Maybe you can go to the city closest to you?! Hopefully, you get to experience this event in the near future,
I’ve Always wanted to attend this event. Fun times is ee
Fun times, hope you can attend sooner rather than later.
I have not been to DEB yet. It is still on my bucket list however. It looks like you had a blast and this was a good reason to pull your white out of the closet.
Yes, white is a hard color to find, so glad I already had this dress in my closet. I had a blast and would do it again.
Apothic White I need to try it! I love their wines btw I love your dress.
That was my first time hearing about the company Apothic White. I bought the dress on sale for less than $20.
This is one event I would love to attend just once. The picture opportunities are amazing. Wear what you want girl. you look great.
Thank you so much, Kita, I’m not a big fan of all white because some outfits are not flattering at all. This dress was on sale and fit perfectly. Hopefully, you can go soon, looking forward to your blog on the event.
I have always wanted to do a Diner in Blanc. One year I was going to do it but I got so sick the night before and I missed it. One of these days I will make it.
Oh no, sorry that you got sick before attending. Maybe you can have a do over this or next year it’s a fun event.
Sounds like you had a great time at the event. i attended the one that came to my area a couple years ago and I had a great time.
Like you had the opportunity to experience it! I would go back and do things a little bit differently the 2nd time around after learning from the 1st time I went.
Hi Tiffany! What an amazing night!! Can I just tell you how much I want to attend an En Blanc party? For years now . . . hopefully I will get a chance sooner rather than later! 🙂
Hey, Mrs. Tee, it was a wonderful night and I want to go back and bring other people. What are you waiting on, I hope you can get tickets this year, look forward to reading your recap. LOL
You had a blast, I like the variety of entertainment. We had ours over the weekend. This was my third year and it never gets old.
What do you normally bring for food? Do you bring on items or rent the items they provide?