7 Tips for Surviving Dîner en Blanc

by Jasmin Ford

The weather is getting warmer with spring right around the corner and before we know it summer will be here.  When that happens Dîner en Blanc events will start popping up in a city near you. If you haven’t heard of Dîner en Blanc it is part pop-up picnic and part collective art installation. Guests are required to dress all in white and are responsible for bringing their own food and table settings. The tradition began over 20 years ago in Paris when a group of friends decided to meet in the Bois de Boulogne. As this first meeting was before cellphones they all wore white so they can easily identify each other. Today, Dîner en Blanc events are hosted in over 100 cities around the globe. 

I’ve attended this event four times in New York City and as a Dîner en Blanc veteran I’ve picked up a few things over the years that you may find helpful if you’re considering attending your first event.

1. Don’t buy the catered food they offer to guests. The meal choices are limited and you could end up standing in line longer than anticipated to pick up your meal. Everyone else will already be dancing while you and your partner are just getting started.
2. Do buy prepared food from Whole Foods buffet or something similar. A lot of preparation goes into planning for this event and the last thing you’ll want to do the day of the event is prepare your meal. It’s easy enough to buy something pre-made that will be just as delicious as if you made it yourself. Save the gourmet meal for your next dinner party. 
3. Don’t buy their alcohol. In New York legally you’re not allowed to bring in outside drink. However, if your city allows it bring your own booze as you'll have more options at a better price and again you can avoid that whole line situation.  
4. Do choose your companions wisely. Look we all have that friend(s) that’s down for anything and willing to make the best of any situation. We also have that friend(s) that’s the exact opposite of that. Don’t invite THAT friend(s) as your companion as it could end up being a miserable experience and you could end up no longer being friends once the night is over. 
5. Do get a lightweight table and chairs for the event. You’ll be schlepping around with a lot of stuff the day of the event so you’ll want your load to be as light as possible. Some people bring dollies to help transport their things but depending on the city it could be hit or miss. In any city where you have to deal with a subway I’d say it’s a no-no. 
6. Don't wear your high heels to the meeting spots. By all means put on your Sunday best and get yourself fancy and camera ready however, there will be some walking involved to get to the ultimate destination. And with everything you’ll be toting with you, you won’t make it far in your heels. Instead get a simple pair of white flats (if you can’t find white another color would do temporarily for the walk. Once you get to the final destination swap your flats for your heels and you’ll be in business. Your feet will also be ready for dancing later in the evening. 
7. Do follow the rules. What makes Diner en Blanc so amazing is that everyone actually follows the rules. You also have people from all walks of life, young and old, different ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds together all enjoying a beautiful evening. ​

If you follow the steps above and have a good attitude everything that goes into getting to the ultimate event destination you will be treated to a truly one of a kind experience which you'll want to do again the following year. And with each successive year the planning and execution gets easier and easier.