Dîner en Blanc, the event you love or hate, is back

Does the fact that something is secret mean that it is highly sought after?

That’s exactly what the team at Dîner en Blanc is banking on with the announcement (what a surprise?) of another Vancouver edition of their all-white dinner party, a “highly exclusive” and “coveted” event.

Photos online leave potential guests amazed at how elegant this event really is, with long tables covered in tablecloths, high piles of food, and everyone in coordinated outfits. The website says, “Expect the unexpected,” but as someone who has witnessed previous editions of the dinner, I want to tell you what you can expect.

Before the event, guests are given the secret location (read: they have to figure out how to get to the venue in a hurry. Is it accessible by public transportation? No promises.)

Mysterious? Only if you don’t take into account that Vancouver has a limited number of outdoor spaces that can accommodate the event’s capacity. In past years, the venue has been Concord Pacific, Stanley Park, and near that awful chandelier.

As a cultural movement, guests must bring their own tables, chairs, and picnic baskets, and everything must be white. This is not our idea of ​​culture, but transporting furniture on public transit is a rite of passage in Vancouver, so we allow it. Did we mention you can’t bring tables, and there are size and shape requirements?

Okay, as much as we criticize the dinner party pedants, at least we’re fed, right? Yes, no. You’ll also have to bring your own treats. For an event that’s meant to be spontaneous, a lot of planning needs to be done in advance.

It’s a beautiful paradox that Dîner en Blanc enthusiasts flaunt a seemingly elegant event with the flair of IYKYK. In reality, this Shein-clad crowd struggled to get all their gear into the venue while trying to keep their shoes white.

Registration is now open if you want to watch the spectacle first-hand, but note that according to the website, there are three phases to securing a spot: you must be a member from previous years or friends of the organizers, have a friend from phase one who will “sponsor” you, such as a child from World Vision, and finally, perhaps get off the waiting list. Also, each ticket must be purchased in pairs.

When: 15th of August

Where: A secret outdoor place

Tickets: Over 53 USD per person plus 14 USD membership fee

Registration is not open yet, but you can register here to stay updated.