Le Dîner en Blanc Returns to Charleston on June 14th

For the fourth year, Charleston will host Le Dîner en Blanc. On June 14th, the annual elegant affair will gather at a secret location with over 600 friends for another evening of “beauty and magic.”

Registration to participate to this unique event happens in three stages: Phase 1 is for members from the previous year; Phase 2 is for new members who are referred by Phase I attendees; and Phase 3 is for people who signed up on the waiting list. Sign up now at https://charleston.dinerenblanc.com.

Bystanders will witness groups of guests all dressed in white gathering all across the city. Guided by Dîner en Blanc volunteers, these groups will then converge on one of the city’s most beautiful settings. Every guest brings their own gourmet feast, table, chairs and table setting. The evening is filled with visually breathtaking moments including the waving of a cloth napkin to mark the beginning of the dinner and the lighting of sparklers to let guests know they are now free to mingle and dance. At the end of the evening, guests will pack up all of their belongings, pick up all their litter and head back into the night, leaving behind no sign of their elegant revelry.

To maintain the uniqueness of Le Dîner en Blanc as well as staying true to tradition, guests must observe certain requirements and follow a few key rules:

• Once confirmed, each guest’s participation becomes mandatory, regardless of weather conditions. This is a rain or shine event.
• Dress code: elegant and white only. Originality is encouraged as long as it is stylish and tasteful.
• Table setting: all white
• To ensure that the location secret is kept undisclosed until last minute, guests meet at assigned departure location and are escorted by a Dîner en Blanc volunteer.
• In order to leave the event location as clean as when they arrived, guests are required to leave with all their belongings, leftovers, and litter.

Guests must bring:

• A table, two white chairs, white tablecloth.
• A picnic basket comprising fine food and proper stemware and white dinnerware.
  • A catered picnic basket option, which can be picked up on site, will be available for those who do not wish to pack their own. Guests wishing to do so must reserve online through Le Dîner en Blanc’s e-store.
• Champagne and/or wine. Beer and hard liquor are prohibited
  • As per Charleston alcohol regulations, guests cannot bring their own alcohol. Guests wishing to enjoy some wine or Champagne, must reserve online through the Dîner en Blanc’s e-store. However, guests are welcome to bring their own non-alcoholic beverages.

About Le Dîner en Blanc

In June 2018, Le Diner en Blanc de Paris marked its 30th anniversary. A record 17,000 guests from Paris and around the world gathered at the Esplanade des Invalides to celebrate this historic moment. Launched in Paris in 1988 by François Pasquier and a handful of friends, Le Dîner en Blanc has become a worldwide epicurean phenomenon. What was a “friends and word-of-mouth only” event has grown into an international sensation celebrated on six continents. While the technology behind the event may have changed over the years, the principles fuelling this fantastic event have not: guests continue to gather at a secret location for the sole purpose of sharing a gourmet meal with good friends in one of their city’s most beautiful public spaces. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Dîner en Blanc International is responsible for developing this secret posh picnic in over 80 cities in 30 countries around the world. Each event is headed by passionate local organizers who fell in love with the concept and wanted to bring it to their city, giving this rendezvous a local flair. For more info, photos and videos of Dîner en Blanc events from around the world, visit dinerenblanc.com.

About the Hosts of Le Dîner en Blanc – Charleston

Eva Sellers – Owner of Elysia Events, Eva has produced numerous events across a broad spectrum from charity and corporate events to large scale festivals. She also assists a select group of clients on all aspects of their marketing, including advertising, public relations, social media, and event planning.

Lauren Kesmodel – A veteran in the local hospitality and event management industries Lauren currently works in the advertising and marketing field. Her enthusiasm and expertise for event production is unmatchable.

Blair Barna – As the Advertising Director and Co-Owner of the Charleston City Paper, Blair has been immersed in the Charleston scene for many years. He has been at the forefront of events, creating well-known festivals such as Charleston Comedy Festival, Charleston Margarita Festival, Crafty Bastards, and more!