I'm really excited about le Dîner en Blanc. An invitation-only, secret-location, all-white, flash mob outdoor gourmet picnic? Yes please! I registered for the waiting list months ago, and was thrilled to get an invitation via email on June 3.
If you don't know what it is, check out the video of last year's event in Victoria:
Looks great, doesn't it?
But as with any work of art (which, surely, this special event IS), there is more than meets the eye. An event like this doesn't just happen on the spur of the moment. It takes hundreds of hours of preparation.
Even as a participant, one cannot just show up at le Dîner en Blanc. There is a registration process, during which you are required to sign up your table partner (you can't go alone) and you are given instructions on what to bring. EXACTLY:
Yikes! I bought my white outfit at discount stores on sale to try to cut costs, but it's still adding up to a scary number. I also have to borrow something white and warm to wear for after the sun goes down, and watch the weather forecast to see if umbrellas will be required. If we didn't have a few items already, and weren't bringing our own home-cooked picnic, imagine how much more it would cost! No wonder some of my friends turned down my offer to sponsor them this year; they probably took a look at the instructions, did some mental calculations, and decided they'd rather not.
However.
Despite Le Horrifying Grand Total, I remind myself that this is a unique experience. It will be much cheaper NEXT year without having to accumulate so many things. Plus, it's all about the experience, right? We know three other people attending and hope to find them in the sea of 1200 people at the secret location.
I am looking forward to our initiation into the world of white. I'll post a few pics on Instagram between courses, and will update here after the event. Follow along and stay tuned!
If you don't know what it is, check out the video of last year's event in Victoria:
Looks great, doesn't it?
But as with any work of art (which, surely, this special event IS), there is more than meets the eye. An event like this doesn't just happen on the spur of the moment. It takes hundreds of hours of preparation.
Even as a participant, one cannot just show up at le Dîner en Blanc. There is a registration process, during which you are required to sign up your table partner (you can't go alone) and you are given instructions on what to bring. EXACTLY:
- folding table (white)
- folding chairs (white)
- table cloth (white)
- cloth napkins (white)
- cutlery (no plastic allowed)
- white dinner plates, appetizer plates and dessert plates (white)
- stemware (no plastic allowed)
- picnic basket with gourmet picnic (unless you purchase the food provided)
- battery-operated votive candle
And as for what to wear, the dress code is ALL WHITE:
- elegant attire
- white shoes
- head gear (hat, fascinator, etc.)
Oh and "be prepared to walk up to 500m with all your gear," which means that if you want to wear high heels with your elegant white dress, you must also bring white flats for the walk.
And if it rains? Better have a white umbrella because this event goes ahead, rain or shine.
GULP.
As someone who owns next to NO white clothing, this was a real challenge. I've spent a lot of time shopping for all the accoutrements over the past couple of weeks.
When you are a le Dîner en Blanc virgin, the upfront cost is a little hefty. Here is what it is actually costing us, when all's said and done:
When you are a le Dîner en Blanc virgin, the upfront cost is a little hefty. Here is what it is actually costing us, when all's said and done:
Yikes! I bought my white outfit at discount stores on sale to try to cut costs, but it's still adding up to a scary number. I also have to borrow something white and warm to wear for after the sun goes down, and watch the weather forecast to see if umbrellas will be required. If we didn't have a few items already, and weren't bringing our own home-cooked picnic, imagine how much more it would cost! No wonder some of my friends turned down my offer to sponsor them this year; they probably took a look at the instructions, did some mental calculations, and decided they'd rather not.
However.
Despite Le Horrifying Grand Total, I remind myself that this is a unique experience. It will be much cheaper NEXT year without having to accumulate so many things. Plus, it's all about the experience, right? We know three other people attending and hope to find them in the sea of 1200 people at the secret location.
I am looking forward to our initiation into the world of white. I'll post a few pics on Instagram between courses, and will update here after the event. Follow along and stay tuned!
