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About Diner en Blanc
I’ve always wanted to go to Diner en Blanc – held in the same way all around the world, these elegant dinners under the stars draw thousands of people at a time. Everyone dresses in crisp white, meet at a designated place, and then walk to a secret location.
You bring all your own supplies – table, chairs, dishes, food and more – and wave your napkins along with the crowd to signal the start of dinner. Followed by sparklers and dancing, it’s a wonderful, unifying event that is uniquely chic, with the esteemed Diner en Blanc tradition and impeccable organizers holding everyone to the highest standards of elegance.
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Though I’m usually traveling in August, this year I expressed an interest in going and was lucky enough to snag a spot with a friend. Tickets are first offered up to people who have attended in previous years, then to those who have had a previous attendee sponsor/advocate for them. Finally, tickets open up to the waitlist, though this could have hundreds to thousands of names on it. (Add your name to the Baltimore list here).
Thankfully, my lovely date Sarahbeth had been before so she clued me in on what to expect and what we needed. Still, it was quite an experience! I had an amazing time and can’t wait to go again.
If you’re interested in going someday, here are 10 Diner en Blanc tips for a magical evening:
Go big or go home
Out of all my Diner en Blanc tips, I’m listing this first for a reason. Dîner en Blanc Tips is as much about elegance as it is drama and showmanship. From your outfit to your food and your tablescape, this event is absolutely an opportunity to show off, so don’t shy away from being extra creative! I loved walking around and admiring everyone’s tables, and drooling over the food people had displayed (and the fashion they were wearing). From fresh flowers to tiered cake stands and feather capes, Diner en Blanc is not a time to be a shrinking violet.
With Kristi Stevens of Shoptini and my date, Sarahbeth Ramsey of Socially Sarahbeth.
Dress to impress
Of course, one of the main reasons I was excited for Diner en Blanc was the fashion! The dress code is very strict. Only crisp white is allowed (not cream), though you can accessorize with metallics. Sneakers and sports apparel are forbidden. Anyway, why would you want to dress down for this?
Trending looks I saw this year included dresses with built-in capes, soaring updos studded with jeweled pins, and flower crowns, like my stunning asymmetric headpiece created by Pomona Floral.
A closer look at my Pomona Floral flower crown.
With all that said, you’re going to be outside in what’s likely a hot, sticky summer night, and you will be doing some walking and dancing, so make sure your look is comfortable too. It was so hot in Baltimore leading up to Diner en Blanc that I knew a tight strapless bra was the last thing I’d want to wear, so I sewed cups into my dress. It was the smartest decision I made.
Preparation is key
There are so many moving parts to DeB that you want to make sure you have everything buttoned-up well in advance. Sarahbeth and I created a Google doc together a month ahead, divvying up responsibilities. We had two planning calls together as well, not only to discuss who was bringing what, but to make sure we could logistically carry it all – yes that’s right, you have to carry all your gear to the secret location! We had a cart with a pretty good capacity, but still had to make sure that everything fit – so my big cake stand didn’t make the cut!
Be ready to walk
Remember, you’re going to be carrying or carting your table, chairs, food, water, and other supplies – so choose shoes wisely. I picked out these Inez Sasha sandals because they have arch support (crazy in a heel, right??) a block heel for stability, and come in narrow sizes so they fit my feet perfectly.
The next day, despite walking and standing for 30 mins in the heat and then dancing for a good hour, I had zero blisters! You can read my review of the Inez Alta pumps here, or shop them and the Sasha sandals below.
Cook (or order) food strategically
This is important, because I heard a lot of first-timers will make the mistake of bringing messy, tricky-to-plate meals that won’t hold up in the heat. You do have the option of ordering a meal from one of the approved caterers, but I love to cook so I volunteered to prepare our DeB menu. My question was, what tastes good at room temperature, will look pretty laid out on the table, and will hold up to being packed and toted around? Here’s what we came up with:
Our Diner en Blanc Menu
Cheese plate with quince jam and baked multigrain thins
Pasta with chicken sausage, corn, leeks, and fresh basil
Orange-vanilla eclairs with ricotta filling and homemade caramel glaze
Bring water
This is definitely something that would have slipped my mind if Sarahbeth hadn’t made a point to prioritize it. All you have to eat and drink (besides any alcohol you pre-order) is what you bring, so make sure to have plenty of water.
Don’t succumb to stress
Diner en Blanc naturally attracts perfectionists who are interested in putting on a beautiful show, but in the end, it doesn’t matter if your tablescape is lopsided, your loaf of bread falls apart, or your dress rips. Make sure you enjoy the moment. No one is really judging you if things aren’t perfect, or if you’re slow to set up.
The statement ring I had custom-made really does go with everything!
Do a dry run
Ok I didn’t do this, but my brilliant friend Kristi did and it’s such a smart idea. Do a dry run at home of packing and unpacking your gear, setting up your table, and packing everything up again. It seriously lowers your stress levels on the day-of. I was rummaging through bags looking for the second cheese I thought I packed while Kristi and her husband were serenely starting on their apps.
Clean up after yourself
Don’t forget to bring trash bags and check your space, because everyone is responsible for cleaning up their area and leaving no trash behind!
Enjoy the magic!
Take photos, but also take the time to enjoy the company of the people around you, the crazy set-up, the sea of elegant figures in white, and then dance the night away.
Follow me on Instagram @theprimpysheep for more stylish local events, travel, and fashion inspiration. And if you enjoyed this post, you might also like:
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Everything looked so chic! These are definitely helpful tips if I ever get to go!
Glad to hear it! It would be fun to get a big blogger group together next year!
I absolutely love your look! So regal and elegant!
Thank you, Lauleh! I had so much fun pulling it together!
Your dress! Obsessed is an understatement. I’ve always been curious about the experience but never have made it. Maybe next year!
It was such a cool, unifying experience – especially in a city like Baltimore that already feels more tight-knit.
I am so glad you were able to attend this year! It was absolutely the best night! You of course looked amazing and I loved your flower crown! You are spot on with these tips! SO HELPFUL for first timers or as reminders for the seasoned DEB goer!