Planning Tips for Diner en Blanc Orange County

A really fun event is coming to Orange County for the first time and I’m super excited about it! This blog started off as a party product and inspiration blog so you know I have a love for entertaining and theme parties. Diner en Blanc is a white party and I can’t wait! But there are a lot of rules and a bit of planning so I thought I would share some planning tips for it. But first, go put your name on the waitlist! This is a big deal all around the world and it’s an invite only event! It’s happening Thursday, November 2, 2017! Don’t miss it!

Register here: https://orangecounty.dinerenblanc.com/register
When you’ve been reading Us Weekly and InStyle Magazine as long as I have, you know about White Parties. They’re usually thrown by Puff Daddy and all the glamorous people wear white and drink Ciroc cocktails. Or maybe you’ve seen those awesome huge dinners with one long table stretched across some field and the people look like they are straight out of a magazine. This is kind of a mix of both (minus P. Diddy, Ciroc cocktails and the one long table).

Diner en Blanc is a totally unique dining experience!

To start, you don’t know the final location until about an hour before it starts. There are 6 meeting points around Orange County, where you will get on a bus that will take you to the final destination. Oh and did I mention you are in charge of bringing your own dinner, table, chairs, linens, silverware, and even trash bags to clean up after yourself? Don’t let that overwhelm you! It’s pretty easy and a super cool experience that I can’t wait to be a part of. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, check out this article written by my favorite party planner, Colin Cowie about a New York Diner en Blanc. Then come back and see how easy it is to plan for this super fun event!

How to Prepare for Diner en Blanc Orange County

Tables and Chairs

If you happen to have tables and chairs, that are all white, you’re off to a good start! Ikea has white folding chairs for about $10/ea (and you know folding chairs will get used again!) Per the Diner en Blanc site, “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.” I think most card tables fall in to this size category. If you don’t want to buy, check out some of the local rental companies, like Baker Party Rentals, (I’ve used them for several parties and always loved working with them) and see if they have something that would work.

Linens

Tablecloths must be white. They also suggest white cloth napkins. Target and World Market both of inexpensive options for table linens. Plus, with the holidays right around the corner, you will probably use them again. Tabletop

This is a high-end event that they want to feel lux. Part of the excitement is to see how people decorate their tables. The fun is that you have to bring it all with you so you have to be creative. This is the part I really love! Think twinkle lights, candles, flower arrangements, etc. But remember, you have to lug it all there and bring it all home with you.

Table Settings

This is not the time for plastic. Proper cutlery, dish ware and glassware are your responsibility. If you don’t want to bring your every day plates from home, head to Ikea or your local thrift shop. This is totally easy and inexpensive to put together. While larger groups sometimes plan to attend together and share duties amongst each other, putting together a table for 2 is nothing! Here is an affiliate link to reusable white grocery bags that I bought to help me get everything to the party. Due to liquor laws in Orange County, guests can not bring any alcoholic beverages. Boo! But they do allow you to buy wine and champagne that you can pick up at the event. Yeah!! Once you have gone through the registration process, it is easy to purchase from the e-store. Which is why you want to have the right stem ware. Dinner

Along with wine, the e-shop also has some food packages (charcuterie platters and full meals) that can be purchased if you don’t want to hassle planning out your own meal. This is not a burger and fries type of event but to me, it makes the most sense to order out a meal from your favorite restaurant. I certainly don’t foresee myself making a gourmet meal to bring with us. But I do have some ideas of what I want to bring that I’m really excited about. Here is an affiliate link to the insulated white bag that I bought to get my dinner to the party.

Clean Up

Don’t forget to bring at least one trash bag and I’ll be throwing in a package of wet wipes as well. Since the party is happening in a cool location, you want to leave it just the way you found it. Most likely this location is not equipped to host the size of a crowd that Diner en Blanc usually brings. This might seem like a hassle, but it just makes sense. What to wear

White, duh. Think upscale, creative, fashionable. “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.” I feel like I need to get a hat…Those shoes probably won’t pass the test but hopefully I will find another pair between now and then…Thank goodness those white booties I’m seeing people wear on Instagram are growing on me.

I bought a dress from Forever 21 and saw lots of great options from Target, Nordstrom and even Amazon!

Still not quite sure where to start? WhiteAppeal.com is a great resource for everything you need to attend a white party! Check them out!

It’s rain or shine! So if weather is looking iffy, maybe consider a white umbrella or clean rain jacket????

Even more details:

These events started as picnics to encourage community and create an awesome way to spend time with friend and has grown immensely from that first event in Paris.

Sign-up to be added to the waitlist! It costs $9. When there is space, you will be sent an invitation and given a link to register. It’s $80 per couple. As I’ve been chatting with other people about this event, some of them don’t understand what all the fuss is about. THIS! This is what the fuss is about! A ridiculous location. A magical night, all in white, where people are eating, drinking and maybe even marrying! You never know! I can’t wait to attend the first Diner en Blanc being held in Orange County. It’s going to be truly memorable. Will I see you there??

Register here: https://orangecounty.dinerenblanc.com/register

Thank you for supporting brands, like Diner en Blanc, who enable me to create fun content, for you and your family, through partnerships and/or compensation!