Is Dîner en Blanc an illegal activity?
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. On the other hand, since its beginning, 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.
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How many 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 over 130,000 participants. The largest and most internationally recognized Le Dîner en Blanc remains the original Paris event.
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How can I participate?
Registration for Le Dîner en Blanc takes place in 3 phases:
Phase 1: Members from the previous year and friends of the organization and leaders
Phase 2: Friends "sponsored" by Phase 1 members
Phase 3: People who signed up to the waiting list
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What are the key rules of the event?
Le Dîner en Blanc requires from the participants an exemplary citizenship and discipline. Here are the main rules:
● Rain or shine, guests are expected.
● Exude Elegance … in white. Originality is encouraged, as long as it remains elegant and tasteful.
● Bring your own table, chairs, and picnic basket.
● Follow the Volunteer Leader’s instructions.
● Arrive and leave with your Leader. Nobody arrives at the site on their own.
● Drink responsibly. Champagne or wine only. No spirits or beer.
● Clean up: Take all your garbage with you and clean the area around your table.
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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 27 and 32 inches (68 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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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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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. 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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If I registered as a member, and can no longer go, can I swap with someone?
No, you cannot swap with someone. make sure you contact your Table Leader and inform them of why you cannot attend.
If you do not attend without contacting your Table Leader you may blacklisted from the event. Only people with valid reasons (eg. health) will be excused.
You cannot swap with someone because it is impossible to change thousands of people's preferences. We do check your ID at the Transport Locations and if your name is not on the list, you will not be allowed on the bus.
Do NOT contact your Table Leaders and give them someone else's name to stand in for you. They do not have the time to change people's details. Once you have purchased a ticket under a name, that person must attend.
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What are the cut-off dates for catered meal and beverage purchases?
Le Dîner en Blanc runs very differently from most events as all purchases must be made well in advance. Meal packages should be ordered approximately 3 weeks prior to the event. Alcohol purchases should be done in 2-3 days' advance as Le Dîner en Blanc wine supplier requires our order a few days in advance of the event.
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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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Can I use the Dîner en Blanc concept to support a local 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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What happens if I don’t turn up in white?
If you blatantly and/or deliberately break the rules of attending in elegant white attire (white pants, white top, white dress etc.) you will not be allowed to get on the chartered bus or be told the secret location at the Transport Location. You will also be blacklisted and not invited back to
the event in future years. In the process of registering, you will have accepted and agreed to these rules.
Not wearing white ruins the whole image and spectacle of the event. Please try your best and if you aren’t sure about whether a piece of clothing is appropriate, please contact your Bus/Public Transport Leader once you are registered. We don’t mind you asking as many questions as you like of our volunteers.
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How do the tables and chairs work?
You must bring your own square tables, white chairs and white table cloth. The side dimensions of the square table must be between 60 and 90cm (this is so we can fit you all in the venue).
The table can be any colour as it will be covered by a white table cloth (supplied by you).
The event is meant to be a "pop-up picnic" so guests come with their own furniture. Folding tables and folding chairs are a must so that they fit in the bus.
There will be storage in the buses. We will get everyone to bring some masking tape and write their name on their table and chairs somewhere. If you hire, they will be getting you to do this when you pick it up.
We encourage you to decorate your table and express yourself! In Paris everyone competes to get the best looking table.
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What sort of plates, cutlery and glasses do I bring?
You MUST NOT bring paper or plastic plates, cutlery or napkins. The ONLY EXCEPTION is wine glasses; due to Queensland Liquor Licensing Laws you must bring plastic wine glasses (not glass).
Try to express yourself through your plates, cutlery and napkins. In Paris people bring their best from home to decorate their tables and get into the spirit of the evening
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What is included in the ticket price?
The price you pay for the tickets includes venue hire, chartered buses, security, permits, liquor licencing, facilities (toilets, fencing etc.), lighting, sound, entertainment and insurances.
The price does not include food or wine. You can bring your own food or choose a catered option from our online store.
Wine can only be pre-ordered at the online store (no BYO)
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Can I bring my own alcohol to the event or purchase at the event?
No. Purchasing wine at the online store is the only way to have alcohol at the event. You cannot BYO alcoholic drinks of any sort (due to Queensland Liquor Licensing Laws) and you cannot buy wine at the event. There will be security on site to uphold this.
You can access the online store by going to http://brisbane.dinerenblanc.info and logging on (on the right). On the right column under the counter "Online Store" will appear. Click on the image you see to access the store.
The wine and Champagne on the online store is at retail price, plus the cost to chill the wine, and the staff cost to give it to guests on the night.
The wine you order will be delivered to you on the night. You will be asked to put in your delivery information, but your wine will not be delivered to you.
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Can I drive to the venue?
You cannot drive to the secret venue. Only a handful of people actually know the venue before you arrive. You can drive to the Transport Location.
We encourage the responsible consumption of alcohol. We urge that you do not drink and drive to the Transport Locations. Please consider designating a non-drinking driver in your group or getting a cab to and from the Transport Location.
There is parking near each location; however some of it is paid parking. You must look into the situation yourself. We do not cover paid parking.
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Who cleans up?
All of the guests must clean up afterwards. The volunteers will assist you.
The concept is that this is a pop-up picnic. There should be no evidence that we were ever there.
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How do I sit with my friends?
You must choose the same Transport Location and Bus or Public transport leader to sit with your friends.
Please refer to our blog post http://brisbane.dinerenblanc.info/transport-locations-announced-181
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Can I change my guest?
Yes, you can change your guest up until the night.
Log in to the website and access "My Page". You can Modify your details by double clicking on the things you want to change
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Am I registering for myself only or for me and 1 guest? If I’m registering for me and 1 guest, is it assumed we will travel together, so that I do not have to coordinate a Group/Team Leader?
You register for yourself and one guest. Everything will be in your name. We never actually contact your guest, so you must pass on all information to them. You do travel together so you don't need to coordinate between you and your guest. If you have other friends coming, you may want to coordinate.
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Can groups register?
Diner en Blanc is a very popular event, and it is not structured to allow groups to register. We can not specially invite groups for celebrations, birthdays, memorials etc.
If you want your friends to come, please ask them to add themselves to our Waiting List. Guests on the Waiting List are invited in Phase 3, and are not guaranteed a ticket, but are given a chance to register as a member.
Tickets in Phase 3 sell out very fast, so if you are on the Waiting List, make sure you follow all of the instructions in the email you receive.
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I have a large group and would like to reserve tickets, is this possible?
If you want to try to sit with your friends in a group, you must all select the same Transport Location and Bus/Pedestrian/Table Leader. We can not swap people, or move people into other groups. Once you have purchased your ticket, your Transport Location and Leader is final.
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The email I received about this event requires me to register by a certain date and provide a credit card payment, but also mentions I’m not guaranteed a place at the event. Will I be charged even if the event sells out?
As soon as registration is full, the system will stop you from being able to pay. So if there are no places available, you will not be able to register and thus not be able to pay.
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Does my guest get emails?
No. We do not contact your guest. You must keep your guest up-to-date with what is going on.
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The email I received inviting me to register talks about "group location" and "bus/public transport leaders". What and who are they?
In order to keep the location a secret right until the last minute, you will meet at the Departure Points and then the volunteers will take you by chartered bus to the secret location.
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If I haven't received a PayPal receipt, have I registered?
No, but please wait about half-an-hour.
If after this time you have not received a receipt, please go back to the registration page and try again.
Make sure you check your credit card details or PayPal account details.
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