What are the membership and transaction fees for?
Membership and transaction fees are used to cover the inherent costs of training, support and technological services to all the organizers around the world, to enable them to organize their own event, as offered by Dîner en Blanc International. These services allow us to preserve and convey the concept’s values, to sustain our corporate standards by regrouping them within a single network and, to develop technical tools. The membership offers members a number of online services that will grow in the coming years. Dîner en Blanc International is working on updating its platforms so that all participants of a Dîner en Blanc event become members. In addition, this annual fee will allow members to register for as many Dîner en Blanc events in the world as they wish.
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How many Le Dîner en Blanc events are there in the world?
Founded in 2012, Dîner en Blanc International is responsible for developing this secret posh picnic in close to 80 cities in 30 countries around the world with close 120,000 participants. The largest and most internationally recognized Le Dîner en Blanc remains the original Paris event. Launched in 1988 by François Pasquier and his close friends, Le Dîner en Blanc de Paris attracts nearly 10,000 people annually.
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Is Dîner en Blanc an illegal activity?
For almost 30 years, Le Dîner en Blanc de Paris has been taking place without authorization, in some of the city’s most prestigious sites. The first editions were not easy to pull off. Today, French authorities know that the event is always well organized and that guests are always respectful of public property. Moreover, the event’s photogenic quality helps promote the city’s image as a stylish Metropolis. On the other hand, all events produced according to Le Dîner en Blanc International guidelines require local hosts to acquire the proper authorization, permits, and insurances before proceeding with their event.
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Is it possible to organize a Dîner en Blanc in my city?
Dîner en Blanc International has established an exclusive service to facilitate the organization and management of Dîner en Blanc events around the world. This turnkey service enables interested local teams to produce Dîner en Blanc in their own city, while connecting to the international network. For more information, write to info@dinerenblanc.com.
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How many Dîner en Blanc events are there in the world?
Since the founding of Dîner en Blanc International in 2012, the event has quickly spread to over 70 cities around the world, with close to 120,000 guests participating each year. The largest and most internationally recognized Dîner en Blanc remains the original Paris event. Launched nearly 30 years ago by François Pasquier and his close friends, Le Dîner en Blanc de Paris now attracts almost 10,000 people annually, with 15,000 guests attending the 25th anniversary edition in 2013.
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How can I participate?
You can register for Le Dîner en Blanc by one of the following three methods: by being part of the Hosts or Leaders’ personal network and getting invited by them (Phase 1); by knowing someone who registers during Phase 1 and asking them to sponsor you for Phase 2; or, by signing up to the waiting list and registering during Phase 3.
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What are the key rules of the event?
Le Dîner en Blanc is an evening like no other. Once registration is confirmed, each guests’ participation becomes mandatory, regardless of weather conditions. Participants arrive at a designated departure point with their table, chairs, and picnic materials, and then make their way to the secret location with their Table Leader by chartered bus or organized public transportation. They take all of their belongings with them at the end of the night, including leftovers and trash, and they leave the site as clean as it was upon arrival.
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What must guests wear?
All guests must dress elegantly in head-to-toe white. This means no ivory, no off-white, and no beige… Originality is always encouraged, as long as it stays stylish and tasteful.
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What must guests bring?
A square folding-table and two white chairs; a white picnic basket and/or bag including a gourmet meal for two, a white tablecloth and cloth-napkins, cutlery, dishware, and glassware; and a garbage bag.
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What kind of table do I need to bring?
The table must be square, foldable, and easy to carry. The size must be between 28 and 32 inches (71 and 81 cm). The table does not have to be white as it will be covered with a white tablecloth.
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Why not let guests decide on the size and shape of their table?
Le Dîner en Blanc is always held in a public location with space limitations, and local organizers must therefore limit the size of the tables to optimize the given space.
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Do I have to bring a guest?
Yes, registration is always for 2 people. You will sit opposite your guest at your table.
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My guest can no longer attend. What should I do?
You will be able to change the name of your guest up until a week before the event.
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I want to choose a departure location that is filled. What should I do?
Each departure location has a specific number of spaces and; once those are filled, you will need to select a different location.
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Why are men generally seated on one side and women on the other?
Seeing as Le Dîner en Blanc concept borrows from French court society, many courtesies continue today. For instance, it was customary for men to sit on one side of the dinner table, and women on the other. Some Dîner en Blanc events still employ this practice, although it is not mandatory. Color, style, and symmetry are important components of this aesthetic. Furthermore, there is always one perspective that is more beautiful than the other at any event; consider giving this view to your guest, as per courtesy and tradition.
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Will members registered for the first edition be automatically re-invited?
Yes. Members who register for Le Dîner en Blanc, who attend the event, and who respect the rules and regulations will be automatically invited to the following year’s event. Please note that members who disrespect Dîner en Blanc rules will be disinvited from the following editions. Their name and email will be black-listed, prohibiting them from registering for future editions.
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I was invited by a member to attend the last Dîner en Blanc. Will I automatically be invited back this year?
Unfortunately, you will not automatically receive an invitation to this year’s event. The current online system allows for one “registered member” and one “invited guest” to be seated at each table, making registered members the only ones to be automatically re-invited. In the near future, all Dîner en Blanc participants will become members, and both people will be automatically re-invited the following year. Until we make this change, you may return this year with the same person, get invited/sponsored by another member, or register to the waiting list to become a member yourself.
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Will the event be cancelled or postponed in case of rain?
Le Dîner en Blanc is a rain or shine event. Each guests’ presence is necessary and mandatory, regardless of the weather. In case of rain, guests must remember to bring a white or transparent raincoat, poncho and/or umbrella. However, if public safety becomes an issue due to severe weather (ex. thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornados…), the local Hosts may decide to cancel or postpone the event.
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Are tickets refundable?
Tickets to the event are not refundable or transferable.
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Are the memberships and attendance transferable?
Memberships are not transferable, according to Le Dîner en Blanc policy. Catered meals and beverages are likewise not transferrable.
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What are the cut-off dates for catered meal and beverage purchases?
Le Dîner en Blanc operates very differently from most events, as all purchases must be made well in advance. Catered meals and beverages are made available for pre-purchase on the e-store at the time of registration, up until approximately 10 days prior to the event. See your e-store for specific details and closing dates.
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With a waiting list of several thousand people, why not open up more registration this year?
Le Dîner en Blanc is not trying to continuously beat participation records. We wish to maintain the spirit and quality of the event. For this reason, we prefer to favor quality over quantity and to expand organically without taking shortcuts.
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There are lots of rules, and guests may find them restrictive. Isn’t there a risk that this will inhibit the spontaneity and festivity which are at the heart of the concept?
While these rules may seem restrictive, one must keep in mind that Le Dîner en Blanc is not an ordinary event. The evening takes place in a public place that was not designed for such a purpose and is often very busy. It must necessarily be very controlled in order for future editions to be held. Such measures never taint the festive and friendly spirit that prevails each year.
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Is Dîner en Blanc associated with a humanitarian or social cause?
Le Dîner en Blanc has no political or ideological agendas and minimal branding. It is simply a friendly gathering whose sole purpose is to create a magical evening, where guests are in good company, and in an environment which is both unusual and extraordinary. Le Dîner en Blanc may not be associated with, or used as a means to raise funds for, another organization.
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