Come shopping with me to find the perfect all white outfit for Dîner en Blanc Vancouver!
It is that time of year again, one of my favourite summer events is back in Vancouver for its 11th year. A new era helmed by a new event planner, from The Social Concierge to Aly Armstrong Event Planning & Design. The latter well known for her professionalism and grand results in Vancouver’s wedding scene. And I was excited to see how she would make her Dîner en Blanc Vancouver debut.
For those unfamiliar, Dîner en Blanc started in France as a cultural celebration of friends gathered to share their passion for life, food, fashion, and community.
The hitch is that you need an invitation to register and attend, the location is not disclosed until hours before the event, and you bring everything you need to have a picnic in the park. And most importantly there is a dress code: strictly white and strictly enforced.
In order to cultivate prestige and exclusivity you once needed a referral to apply. Now attending in year’s past allows you to be one of the firsts to secure your ticket, with waves of registering opening after it. As of today, it is currently open for anyone to purchase.
The venue is always a mystery and attendees aren’t told where to meet until hours before the actual event. This adds to the mystique. Then it is a scramble to get there and set up in time for the opening napkin wave. Raising your napkin and twirling it in the air is just one of the many photo and visual moments that the event is known for.
In my opinion, what truly makes the evening successful is the sea of white. White in what everyone is wearing and white in the furnishings they bring to dine out on. Intended to be a fancy affair the requirement includes white tables and chairs with white dish ware and picnic accoutrements. Many go all out with extras like white table cloths, balloons, archways, and faux flowers.
As for the food, it is up to you, make your own or purchase pre-made meals from local restaurants, who are joining in on the festivities. Some folk even stick with the white theme in their meal with the likes of fettuccine Alfredo and rice.
What your admission fee includes is the ability to enjoy a meal with friends in one of the city’s most beautiful public spaces, ones you would not otherwise get a chance to dine at. Of year’s past this included Van Dusen Garden, the Olympic Cauldron Plaza, and under the Cambie Street Bridge for last year.
On top of the picturesque scene there is also live entertainment with singers, musicians, dancers, and even art displays. In years past there has also been food and drink samples.
For those interested in being a part of this year’s one of a kind event, visit the link below to get your tickets.
And don’t forget to get your outfit! Last year I waited until the last minute to get mine and did not like what I wore. Shying away from photos as a result. So this year I have shopped early and secured my outfit two months before.
https://app.dinerenblanc.com/register?cityName=Vancouver