Blanc & BOUGIE Your Unofficial Guide to Dining in White
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Greetings! Thanks for supporting my brand! I hope that you find this guide useful as you plan your next Diner en Blanc or use it to plan a birthday dinner, anniversary party, or event of your own! Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
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Contents For the Culture
Le Diner en Blanc History Does it Look Like I got left off Bad and Bougie?
How to be a Guest of Diner en Blanc Told’ Her Go Shoppin’ & Spend it All at the Pop Up
Attire for Le Diner We Came from Nothing’ to Something’
Building Your Table
Landscape I’m cookin’, I’m cookin’, I’m whipping
Menu Examples for Your Dinner I pull up, I pull up, I pull up
Day of the Event www.THEBRITTANYB.com
For the Culture: Le Diner en Blanc History
For the
A few really great things came out of the year 1988: Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana,” Who Framed Roger Rabbit, myself (shameless plug), and le Diner en Blanc. Le Diner en Blanc founder François Pasquier created the concept when he invited a small group of his friends to dine outdoors. He requested that his guests wore white to easily find one another as they dined at local Parisian restaurant Boise de Boulogne. Over the years the dinner has grown to over 70 cities spanning 4 continents. This local dinner can be found in locations such as Brazil, Haiti, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, Dubai, Seoul, Tokyo, and of course around the United States. Following in the steps of Pasquier’s original guests, the dinner is known for its consistent all white theme and outdoor locations that range from museums to historic buildings. To find out more about Diner en Blanc and to see if it is in your city, visit their website www.dinerenblanc.com
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Does it Look Like I Got Left Off Bad and Bougie?
How to be a guest of Diner en Blanc
Le Diner en Blanc prides itself on exclusivity. Attendees aren’t even aware of where the dinner will be held until they arrive at the location. When it comes to getting in, it can be hard. Don’t fret, there are three (really five) ways to be invited to Diner en Blanc if you are not a member: Phase 1: Being part of the Hosts or Leaders’ personal network and being invited. This phase is designated for current members and their guests. Phase 2: If one of your friends, associates, or someone that you know well enough to ask for a favor registers during Phase 1 ask them to sponsor you.
Phase 3: Signing up on the waiting list and praying about it. If you register, you will receive emails letting you know when your phase has opened and when you can enter the site to purchase the tickets. They cost anywhere from $30-$40 If you happen to get lucky (or hit a lick) and a person that registered in an earlier phase has an extra ticket or they can no longer go and have two tickets that you can purchase. This one is a little trickier as they have to do name changing in the system. From time to time corporations will buy tables and will invite people to sit in their sponsored area. (Lincoln did this in Dallas in 2017 for local influencers, business owners and others. Great way to network and build your brand)
(Pay attention to this part). If you are wanting to be close to your friends or in a certain group, make sure to select the correct Group Leader then Table/Bus leader. You will need to select a pick up location then which group you want to be in. www.THEBRITTANYB.com
Told Her Go Shoppin’ & Spend it All at the Pop Up?
Attire for Le Diner
Personally I am not a fan of all white, especially in a group. Outside of Solange’s wedding which I though was GREAT, large groups in white remind me of family reunions. I will say because everything is white at the dinner from the lines to the chairs, it does give it a very clean look. Here are a few simple guidelines that you will need to follow for your attire mixed with a few tips of my own. I’m going to state the obvious and say that you need to wear all white. It isn’t optional. No pops of color. No added layers. Everything on your body including your shoes needs to be white (jewelry can be metallic). Not cream, not eggshell, or winter white but white white. General attire is dresses, skirts, jumpsuits, or nice pants and blouses for women. Slacks, button ups, V-neck (the nice ones), and blazers for men. It can Depending on where the diner is held you may be walking a quite a distance. You also have carry all of your supplies with you. If wearing heels is a must for you, keep them in your bag and have slides or flats that are white or metallic that you can slide on and off. Don’t be afraid to get creative! Over the top white hats, white wigs, blazers that light up, etc have all been seen at the dinner. Just keep in mind that it still has to be white It can’t get chilly at night grabbing a light sweater or jacket may be ideal for you.
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Examples of Attire
Make sure to check out pre and post Labor Day sells for your all white! www.THEBRITTANYB.com
We Came From Nothin to Somethin
Building Your Table Landscape By now you know that you have to bring everything with you to this dinner. This includes tables, chairs, dÊcor, plates, utensils and your linens. Food and alcohol will be addresses in the next section The Diner en Blanc website will list out the specific sizes for your table as well as recommendations from where to rent from as well. We rented white chairs for $1.50 per piece from a local store, but you can also purchase white chair or if you have folding chairs get white covers for them. If you have the standard card size folding table, you can also bring that. It doesn’t matter what color it is as white linen will be going on top.
Gunde Chair Fejan Chair Terjae Chair Glasses Silverware Dishes
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WALMART
Table Chair Tablecloth Napkins Chair cover Picnic Basket Utility Wagon Grocery Cart Pop N Shop Cart
IKEA
AMAZON
Here are some places to get table essentials from
Table Roll up Table
Building Your Table Landscape A lot of the supplies for your table setting and decor are right in your house! Our group of six decided to purchase everything together. We bought plates, wine and water glasses, serving trays from the dollar store. ($22) I brought silverware and serve ware from my kitchen. Silver plate chargers from the Thrift store $5 You can pick up a center piece from your local grocery store or floral shop. Depending on the type of white flowers, you can spend $15 up. My group opted for LED candles and batteries (you can’t have real flames) that cost $8 and rose petals $2.
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I’m Cookin’ I’m Cookin’ Im Whipping
Menu Ideas for Your Dinner You can shop on your member website from the provided caterers and pick up or you shop and bring everything yourself. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
If you don’t have time to shop, cook, and prepare, catering might be the way to go. Selections can range anywhere from $45-$90 for a meal for two. If you are with a larger group and you pick a menu that is easily manageable then I would suggest cooking. My group this year was 6 people and between the four girls we were able to prep everything. Keep in mind you want to choose foods that if spilled won’t stain on your clothing. Avoid red sauces or anything with a lot of color unless you are really careful. There is nowhere to heat food so everything you will be eating will be cold unless you use insulated bag with a warmer and a pre-warmed Thermos. Think about your tablespace vs food ratio. This year we chose a lot of food with simple décor. Majority of the people that went for the over the top tables didn’t have too much room for actual food. For me and my friends…we eat and drink. A LOT. Please note that this event is not BYOB. You must purchase your alcohol through them through the online store and pick up the day of at the site. The bottles of champagne and wine range from $20 and up. Choose one or two wines to accompany your dinner; I would suggest buying the wine and making a base for white sangria that you can bring with you. You are allowed to bring water. Grab that San Pellegrino!
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Menu Ideas for Your Dinner Appetizer Style
Light Dinner Ideas
Charcuterie Board
Fried Chicken with summer vegetables and potato salad
Fresh Meats of your choice, Variety of Cheese (goat, bre, gouda, cheddar, Jam, Olives, Cheese Ball, fresh bread
Mini Tea Sandwiches
Grilled Salmon with mixed greens and potatoes
Turkey and Havarti, Pimento, Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad, Roast beef, cheddar & Horseradish, Mini BLT, Mini Wraps, Turkey & Cheddar
Crab Cakes with corn risotto
Veggie Tray
Fettucine Alfredo
Broccoli, cauliflower, sugar snap peas, peppers, carrots, zuchinni, raddish, hummus, veggie dip, pita crackers, spinach dip
Paella
Salad
Shrimp linguine
Caesar, Tossed, Pasta
Fresh Fruit Deviled Eggs Pinwheels Skewers
Beef Tenderloin with mashed potatoes Baked chicken and sweet potatoes
Dessert Ideas Mini Crème Brule Macaroons Cheesecake Lemon bars Tiramisu Cupcakes Berry Trifle Petit Fours Truffles Fruit and Dip www.THEBRITTANYB.com
I Pull Up I Pull Up I Pull Up I Hop Out
The Day of the Event The day of dining has finally came. You have your outfit, your table supplies, and your food! Where do you go from here? Your table leader will give you the pickup location and time to where you need to be. The bus WILL NOT wait on you so be on time to your designated pick up. Remember that you will not know the location until you get there so be ready for a surprise! You may have anywhere from a 5 minute to 15 minute walk so be prepared. As stated before, bring extra shoes. Heels really aren’t necessary There will be an area for your wine/champagne order as well as desserts. Your table leader will lead you to the area for set up. Get your table and chairs out first but not all of your food/supplies. It is likely you will have to adjust once or twice. Wait for your table leader to direct you on the rest. Be ready for some staple moments! The traditional napkin wave, the photo booths, and the sparklers (if applicable. Not all locations can do the sparklers)
Dance the night away, Drink the night away, and Enjoy!
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