I had the pleasure of covering the inaugural Diner en Blanc in Washington, DC last week for friends at Brightest Young Things and it proved to be just a visually dreamy as we imagined. The famed "secret" dinner party started in Paris and has expanded to cities around the world; Thursday was DC's first. Check out the whole story in BYT HERE and read my quick account below, thoroughly fueled by our generous hosts, Moet Ice Imperial. Bottomless champagne for the win.
Guests were required to bring in all food, tables, centerpieces, and other dinner components to Diner En Blanc, which has a strict 'leave it as you found it' rule.
From Amazon Prime solutions to catering and tables that looked like hyperactive Pinterest boards, the creativity of picnicking in cocktail attire proved delightful. My new friend Clinton Yates smartly pointed out that one of the most fun parts was watching people dressed up attempt the light manual labor necessary to set up their all-white errthing: table, chairs, linens, china, cutlery and charcuterie plates galore. Heels sank into grass, men struggled with coolers, guests cursed the walk from the Metro, but once settled they loved the venue at Yards Park with its sweeping waterfront views and dramatic (all white) bridge entrance.
Guests await entrance along the Yards Park bridge, which provided a stunning backdrop for their introduction to the party in Navy Yard.
Charcuterie, white wine and ornate flower arrangements were popular picks at many tables for Diner En Blanc.
The crowd was eclectic and different from the people who usually attend 'social' functions in the city, making the night a breath of fresh air. Styles ranged from laid back to "is that an actual wedding dress?" with highlights that included a Marie Antoinette wig, spiked sneakers, and some serious fascinator/veil action.
Moet Ice was one of the event sponsors, providing VIP and press guests with seemingly-bottomless magnum bottles of the fizzy drink that was perfect for a late summer party.
A wedding dress and Marie Antoinette wig proved to be one of the most dramatic looks of the evening.
Fascinators and veils were the fashion sets choice way of adding an element of fantasy to their Diner En Blanc ensembles.
With sparklers twinkling and champagne glasses clinking, the 1400 guests cheered at the end of the night, marking it a success. A select group migrated to the Marriot Marquis for the after party, where we made sure to make getting up the next morning a bit harder.
Guests of Diner En Blanc were provided with sparklers, which were all lit at the end of the night for a festive send-off.
The Washington Post's Clinton Yates waits for his Uber, one of the event partners of Diner En Blanc.
Party guests stroll along a walkway at the Marriot Marquis hotel during the after party for the Diner En Blanc.
