I first learned of ‘Le Diner en Blanc’ (translated ‘Dinner in White’) last year when they hosted their event in NYC and I was so intrigued about their story and how they coordinate their events that I was ecstatic to hear when they officially announced yesterday that they will be in Pittsburgh on September 11th!!
If you haven’t heard of ‘Le Diner en Blanc’, it started in Paris back in 1988 by Francois Pasquier who hosted annual events for a small group of friends in a public place for a picnic. Pasquier had a simple idea where he had his guests dress all in white so that they will all recognize each other when told where the secret location would be. They were to bring their own bottle of Wine or Champagne, a table, two white chairs and a picnic basket compromised of quality menu items and china dinnerware, including stemware and flatware. Pasquier did not inform his guests where to arrive until minutes before the event but it was definitely going to be dining al fresco! To date, this secret dinner party has grown to an international social event, quite frankly an international phenomenon, that now assembles 15,000 people each year in the most beautiful places!
This by-invitation-only, elaborate and unconventional secret dinner party remains today to have the same concept and rules from 25 years ago. I tell you what I love about this international fête…the location is kept secret, which adds to the excitement of where this mysterious picnic in the park will be, I get to bring my own china and table decor…say what?! I get to be creative in my tablescape design and I get to use one of my favorite colors…white! And I get to commune with neighbors, meet others and enjoy one another’s company.
When the sun goes down, I heard that everyone lights up sparklers and dances to live music and the when the clock strikes 12, the event has come to an end. Ahh…I think its a magical way to end the summer season!
If you live in Pittsburgh and want to be a part of this chic and festive event, you can register, here. You can also check out this video, to see a glimpse of what this event is like!
-All images via Le Diner en Blanc:
1. Chicago // 2. New York // 3. Honolulu // 4. San Diego // 5. New York // 6. Edmonton // 7. Las Vegas
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