stephmodo: A Parisian Dîner en Blanc in Seattle

A Parisian Dîner en Blanc in Seattle

• 16 August 2012



Just over a year ago, when I posted about Le Dîner en Blanc--Paris' flash mob picnic dinner in white--I felt a fascination with the event growing within me.  The idea of a spontaneous, surprise dinner picnic in an unexpected, urban setting is quite unusual and I love it!  I find that expanding life experiences beyond the norm is what conjures inspiration the most.  So participating in the dîner en blanc here in Seattle was a welcomed invitation indeed.



To view all the images I snapped from the dîner--and to read more about the experience--click "read more" below (look below left).  Admittedly, I kind of went crazy taking pictures...:)






After receiving the invitation on Saturday morning, the rest of the day was filled with buzz and excitement as Ben and I figured out last minute childcare, what to wear, and what to bring to eat.  The adrenalin rush in place, we checked things off our list (mostly thanks to my friend Cristina!) and "divided and conquered"--our mantra these days it seems.



The entire group of about 250 people arrived in white within 15 minutes of each other.  A bouquet of balloons marked the spot, which we only found out about 90 minutes prior to arrival.  We all unloaded our picnic fare and waited for the music to start...at 6:30 pm sharp.  Then, our large group headed to the end of the pier and assembled our tables together, according to the map emailed just prior to the dîner as well.



What I enjoyed most about the evening was the comraderie and excitement in the air.  Everyone was thrilled to be there and seemed to be enjoying the experience.  Many offered to share their dinners and desserts with other guests--strangers even--and there was much back and forth between friends old and new.  `What is in this trifle?' and `Would you mind sharing your recipe for the chocolate mousse?' amongst other inquiries.  Based on the laughs and smiles I observed around me, you'd think everyone had been friends for a long time.  It warmed my heart.

Our group was eclectic, thanks to my friend Petra, who is one of the best hostesses I know (p.s. did you catch her home/tower tour last year?).  Everyone in our group contributed to the meal, so it was a gourmet potluck of sorts.  Truthfully, that's the best kind of meal in my book.



As the evening wound down, more and more people walked around to socialize with one another (or in my case...people watch :)).  Sparklers were passed around and we all celebrated the evening as a group one last time before heading our respective ways.  We stayed until the organizers left, not wanting to bid adieu to this luminous evening until the absolute last moment.


11 comments:

  1. This looks truly amazing! What a wonderful event! Sparklers are my fave. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This seems like such a memorable experience and you look gorgeous in the images, Steph! I'm curious about how the invitation process works. Is it by email?

    ReplyDelete
  3. i guess i don't know enough about the french version or something - i didn't know it was an invitation the day of. that's crazy! but i guess that adds to the excitement! and everyone just had to bring their own everything? so intriguing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Danyelle, there were no tickets issued. After talking to the founders of the diner for awhile, it sounds like they modeled the event exactly after the Parisian Diner en Blanc. So what that means is that you just have to know someone involved (or in our case, someone who knew someone). We seriously couldn't believe our luck!

    Martha, I think many people knew about it ahead of time. We, however, were invited fairly last minute by a friend (probably because someone else couldn't go or something). But we were just grateful to be there!

    And yes, everyone had to bring in and out everything. But it's Seattle, so people are kinda used to that sort of thing, right?

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is amazing! it brings a little tear to my eye! What a magical evening!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This looks amazing, this peoples in the pictures looks so happy and healthy.

    Regards,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for share this great article with us I love this pictures

    ReplyDelete
  8. So excited to be attending the one in Brisbane in 2 weeks time!

    ReplyDelete
  9. how fabulous! reminds me of white linen night in new orleans!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Does anyone know when the 2013 dine en blanc will be held?

    ReplyDelete
  11. I just discovered this lovely event, and I would very much like to attend the dinner next year in Seattle. Do you know whom I might contact to get invited? I am sad that I just missed this years, but I can get excited about next year. Please let me know.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to drop a line. I really appreciate it!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
 

stephmodo © All rights reserved · Theme by Blog Milk · Blogger