Three white tablescape ideas

As we said, apart from being an all-white affair, guests bring everything with them to the dîner en blanc; not just the food, but also the table, chairs and tableware. This is because the dinner party is held outdoors in a public space licensed for picnics, and as all the guests bring along their own things, it's easier for more people to attend.

For this occasion, our idea is to take this concept and adapt it to your own outdoor dîner en blanc, with white tableware and white outfits, but in the place of your choosing. It doesn't have to be in a public open space; you could have it at home, on the terrace or in the garden. As you will see, although you are the one setting it up, the furniture we have suggested is much more relaxed and practical. 

Choose the white look you want to go for on this special evening, and let's get started on the decor! 

1. Romantic white tablescape for two

If you have a romantic dinner for two in mind, this white tablescape is perfect for the occasion. With a lightweight folding table and chairs, you can set up wherever you like, be that on the balcony, on the porch, in the garden or in a public picnic area… you choose!  

When you've decided where you're going to have dinner with that special someone, the next thing is to get everything ready. In this example, we've chosen a wooden table for two and a couple of white chairs. Although the decor is predominantly white, the wood will give it a bit of rustic charm, which fits with the romantic style we're looking for.  

As this is an intimate date, you don't need a very big table, as enjoying each other's company is the main thing. So don't worry about space.  

After you've chosen the table and chairs, it's time for your tableware. Although it's outdoors, it's worth going the extra mile and not using disposable items, because not only do they detract from the elegant decor, they're also not an environmentally friendly option.  

The main colour will of course be white for the plates and table linen, which will pair perfectly with the neutral glassware and silverware.   

Don't forget to add some decorative accents as well! As it's a romantic dinner, a few flowers wouldn't go amiss. You can arrange a few fresh or artificial flowers in a vase as a centrepiece. A well-placed candle will even also create a very special ambience when dusk starts to fall. For safety, we recommend putting your candle inside a lantern.  

2. White family tablescape 

Are you having a family dinner? If you are, then this is the perfect inspiration for you. Again, we've chosen a practical table and set of chairs that can be easily moved around, but this time the table is bigger to fit everyone around it. And if you need more space, it's easy! Just add on another one of these tables.  

As for the chairs, they don't fold this time around, but they can be stacked for easy storage when you're not using them. The advantage of these chairs is that they are much safer and more comfortable for any little ones at the dinner table.  

Why not use some outdoor seat and back cushions to give you that added comfort during dinner. Go for white or off-white and don't worry about them getting dirty, because they have removable, washable covers so you can always keep them spotless.  

As for the tableware, again, opt for white colours for the dishes and adapt it to the type of food you are going to enjoy. If it's a buffet-style dinner where you pick and choose from sharing platters, an individual dish for everyone to put their food on will be enough and will also save on space. If you're having a starter, main and dessert, you'll need to lay the table with a full dinner set. 

For the finishing touches, simply tie the napkins (white, of course) with some string and a few colourful flowers. You could also include a place card with the name of each family member so that everyone knows where they're sitting.  

3. White festive tablescape

And last but not least, if you're having a dinner party with friends and you want to dial up the festivities, we have just the thing for such an occasion. The combination of the finest materials and simple lines you see in the photo is perfect for a casual dinner where fun is the name of the game.  

Both the chairs and the table are foldable, so you can easily place them wherever you want and add as many as you need depending on the number of guests. Once this is sorted, you can decorate your table with festive items to create that wow factor for all the guests.  

When deciding on your finishing touches, you want the result to be elegant yet cheerful. We therefore suggest going for simple white table linen without intricate embroidery that might look too fussy. Keep the tableware simple with just some accent flowers casually arranged on the table. You can even add a hint of lighting with decorative string lights placed on the tablecloth or inside a glass vase.  

One last thing you should know is that a traditional dîner en blanc usually ends with fireworks. These mark the end of the dinner and signals that it is time to take your chairs and go home. If you want to replicate this on a smaller scale, you can use tiny flares to signal this moment. Of course, if you don't want to stick 100% to this custom, it doesn't have to mean that the gathering is over, but rather that dinner is over and it's time for a more relaxed drink.