Host A Diner en Blanc At Home

Photo: Charles Zuckermann

Le Dîner en Blanc Vancouver is a popular dinner party event that happens worldwide. It’s celebrating it’s fifth year in Vancouver. This year they are expecting 6,000 guests on August 18 — the largest DeB in Canada. Over 2,000 seats went to first timers meaning there will be lots of people trying to get their all-white outfits and tables together.

Photo: Charles Zuckermann

Launched in Paris in 1988 by François Pasquier and a handful of friends, Le Dîner en Blanc has become a worldwide epicurean phenomenon. Dîner en Blanc – Paris now attracts over 10,000 people each year. What was a “friends and word-of-mouth only” event has grown into an international sensation celebrated on five continents. While the technology behind the event may have changed over the years, the principles fuelling this fantastic event have not: guests continue to gather at a secret location for the sole purpose of sharing a gourmet meal with good friends in one of their city’s most beautiful public spaces.

Photo: The Glass Eye

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Dîner en Blanc International is responsible for developing this secret posh picnic in over 70 cities in more than 25 countries around the world. Each event is headed by passionate local organizers who fell in love with the concept and wanted to bring it to their city, giving this rendezvous a local flair.

Photo: The Glass Eye

Photo: The Glass Eye

Currently, Montréal-based Le Dîner en Blanc International coordinates the event in 60 cities in more than 25 countries. The all white outdoor dinner party with a top secret location that isn’t revealed until hours before dinner. This year’s event takes place this Thursday, August 18th and if you have an elusive ticket, you’re likely scrambling to get everything together for the event. First off, there’s the tables, the chairs, the table-clothes, and dinnerware – yup, gotta bring it all. Then then food, small appetizers are always popular like crackers and cheese, cold cuts, fruit, skewers or other small bites.

They also have a team of all-star DeB experts that can help rookies and even experienced guests that can make this their best one ever.

•  Crystal Carson: DeB Style Director / Fashion Stylist
In addition to being Le Dîner en Blanc Vancouver’s Style Director Crystal is also a celebrity fashion stylist and media fashion expert.
1. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes
2. Try wearing a old wedding dress of yours or maybe a friend.

•  Aly Armstrong: Event Planner / Designer
As a top event planner, Aly has an elevated sense of design and a killer knack for even the most intricate details – she’s a total DeB pro.
1. Order your table, chairs, linens and napkins well ahead.
2. Invest in a picnic basket.
3. Get a roll-up table that has a carrying case.

•  Jigme Nehring: Co-Owner of Mine & Yours Boutique
Jigme’s classic and feminine style helped create Mine & Yours Boutique – a special something for her hometown of Vancouver.
1. Recycle fashion and use something you already have in your closet.
2. Have each person in group be responsible for one thing.

They have also provided useful tips that can be applied to hosting a party at home. If you can’t get tickets to DeB, why not have your own at home? So let’s take these amazing tips for this event. Because we all know that all of us cannot be lucky enough to score tickets to this popular event. But that shouldn’t mean we can’t have a fantastic party in our backyard!

Tips on Hosting a Dîner en Blanc Party at Home

Crystal Carson:
1. Go with a theme.
2. Have a few portable phone chargers hanging around for your guests in case their batteries die from all the photos being taken (you can find some cheap ones at Walmart).
3. Go with the flow — sometimes parties can be hectic but as long as you have a positive attitude then the event will be spectacular.

Aly Armstrong:
1. Get creative with your table decor.
2. Don’t forget dessert!
3. Have fun and accessorize — an event is the perfect time to bring out those fancy accessories you would’t normally wear.

Jigme Nehring & Courtney Watkins:
1. Take a TON of photos & get social.

Want tickets to next year’s Le Dîner en Blanc Vancouver? DeB tickets usually go up approx. a month before the event — phase 3 tickets are for new members and/or general public.

Tickets to Le Dîner en Blanc Vancouver are $37 plus an $8 membership fee. Guests wishing to become new members must register online prior to the general ticket release on the official website: Vancouver.dinerenblanc.info

For more info and photos of Dîner en Blanc events from around the world, visit the official website dinerenblanc.info.