My sister invited me as her date to Chicago’s Dîner en Blanc this year. Quelle excitation! She rented a room for the night, so we checked in and brought all of our stuff up. It wasn’t until we were in a car on our way to the meeting point that we realized our flowers were sitting in an ice bucket in her hotel bathroom.
We had the essentials — food, plates, that sort of thing — but without the fluffy cute flowers, our table was going to be all pillar candles and skeletons. Really emphasizing the whole goth part of my ‘gothic white’ idea. I did what I assume any weirdo/resourceful person would do. I scavenged weeds from a nearby parking lot.
“It will work out,” my sister assured me as I came back with a handful of Queen Anne’s Lace. “After all, what grows on graves?”
It worked out! Clearly the skeletons are the best part of this table — you should pick them up while you can because I suspect they’ll sell out well before Halloween. We borrowed a folding table and tons of people (us included) had these inexpensive and light folding chairs. Everything else was standard-issue tabletop stuff that I had on hand, with flameless candles in anticipation of wind. Everything is linked below (and I found super similar items for some of the stuff I’ve had for years).
This is also pretty much what my dining table is going to look like all October.
- Josie Glasses, Crate & Barrel
- Classic White Tablecloth, Crate & Barrel
- Gold Flatware, CB2
- Caterer’s White Napkins, Pottery Barn
- Amber LED Glimmer Strings, Pier 1
- Caterer’s Dinner Plates, Pottery Barn
- Narrow Vase, Houzz
- Yoga Skeleton Halloween Figure Decor, Pier 1
- LED Distressed White Pillar Candles, Pier 1
It’s a lot of schlepping, but it was worth it. Everyone and everything looks beautiful, and the mystery of the location (it was at the Theater on the Lake this year) adds to the fun. Plus dancing! If you ever get the change to attend a Dîner en Blanc in your city, say yes!
p.s. Here’s a little background on how the event usually works. The first Dîner en Blanc I’d been to was at Alt Summit. Much smaller and no schlepping, but equally magical and fun.
19 comments
Jeanne
Queen Anne’s Lace..what a fabulous save…the table looks smashing and the limp flowers add to the Gothic vibe…so fun!
Kathleen Stephenson
I’m wondering if that CB2 set you linked is one you actually have. I’ve been wanting gold flatware and this is a great price but I’ve heard of some that don’t last at all and start to tarnish right away. This set is lovely though
Making it Lovely
It is not the same set because mine (from West Elm) is no longer available. I looked for something in the same price range with a similar look, so I went with the CB2 set. West Elm has other styles in the same finish, so if the manufacturing process is the same, I can vouch for the longevity!
Amanda Carson
I got inspired by you so I found my city’s Diner en Blanc and going in September!
Making it Lovely
YAY!
Julie Saldana
Look at these skeletons!!!! Where can you find or buy it? I really impressed with it and i love flowers,too! And you convince me already, say YES to attend a Dîner en Blanc in my city (or another city they have it)
Making it Lovely
Yes, do it! The skeletons were from Pier 1. They’re so good.
Blythe
I love the white dress you’re wearing in these photos! Can you share where you got it?
Making it Lovely
Thank you! It was from Anthropologie, but years ago.
Blythe
Thanks for letting me know :)
Mindy
Your table is beautiful and you and your sister are gorgeous. But for some reason I cannot put my finger on, the exclusive, secretive nature of the event turns me off.
Making it Lovely
I don’t completely understand the way it’s organized. I don’t mind the secrecy of the location — I think the mystery adds to the fun — but the exclusive nature is a bit off-putting. It seems like you need to know someone to get in, and I don’t know how many make it from the wait list.
Amelia
Similarly, I’m a bit put off by the fact that it’s so exclusive… and expensive… and yet, the guests bring absolutely everything? What service does the organization provide, exactly, beyond branding and exclusivity? I can’t help but think one might as well organize their own!
TANYA DERRY BINGHAM
Gorgeous, how fun!!
Bethany Suckrow
Reminds me of the night before my sister-in-law’s wedding, when we cut wildflowers from the Bank of America parking lot to finish making her bouquets. No regrets! Still one of the best weddings I’ve ever done, and I’m a florist. :)
Making it Lovely
That’s fantastic. :)
Maree Sperle
Was this your sister’s first invite to the diner en blanc? Does being on the waitlist help? or what is the secret?
Making it Lovely
Her friend was our table leader’s guest. I’m not sure how many get in from the wait list, and it’s super hard to get in. I think my sister would get an automatic invite for the first round again next year, and she said something about “sponsoring” me so that I could get in at round two (so we could each bring our husbands)? It’s all very confusing.
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