Chic Elegance at Le Diner en Blanc Toronto

Last Thursday, the iconic Le Dîner en Blanc transformed Fort York National Historic Site—Garrison Common—into a stunning sea of white. This global picnic phenomenon, which began in Paris, welcomed 1,000 guests to enjoy dinner à la française, where good conversation and champagne were in abundance.

Guests are guided by their Table Leader to the secret location. Photo by Edward Chiazor, efosa blog.

Entrance Treatment by Seven Event & Florals. Photo by Edward Chiazor, efosa blog.

With just over two months of preparation, event Host, Lori Heller of Heller Events led the planning team for the 11th edition, supported by an impressive team: Marc Talbot from Exclusive Management Services, award-winning Chef Trevor Lui of Highbell Hospitality, Kelly Foster overseeing the volunteer squad, and Veronica Michalczak from The Design Techs orchestrating the logistical design of the event.

As guests gathered at various rendezvous points, Table Leaders guided them on a charming stroll under the warm evening sun to the secret location. Upon arrival, they were greeted by a stunning entrance created by Seven Events & Florals, showcasing this year’s National Partner, Boursin Canada, alongside Local Partners Clearly Canadian, Element Event Solutions, and Charlie’s Burgers Wine Program sourcing a delightful array of wines for guests to indulge.

Saxophonist, Neil Braithwaite with Blue Moon on the Stage, featuring decor from Marquee Letters Toronto and ShimmerTech. Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography.

What makes this Chic-Couture luxury picnic so unique is the component of attendees bringing their own tables, chairs, and gourmet picnic essentials, creating a personal touch amidst a sea of white tables adorned with DIY centrepieces. For those who preferred convenience, Element Event Solutions offered rentals to lighten the load. As guests settled in, the ambiance was elevated by the smooth sounds of saxophonist Neil Braithwaite and the violin-guitar duo, Blue Moon.

Iconic napkin wave to signal the start of dinner. Photo by Edward Chiazor, efosa blog.

Guests lit sparklers to signal the start of the afterparty. Photo by Edward Chiazor, efosa blog.

As the sun began to set, the iconic napkin wave signaled the start of dinner—a time for feasting, toasting, and reconnecting with friends. With the sun dipping below the horizon, guests lit up the sky with sparklers to mark the transition from elegant dining to spirited mingling, exploring the delightful activations that awaited them. It was a night where every detail sparkled, encapsulating the essence of a chic picnic under the stars.

Canapes prepped by Trevor Lui, Highbell Hospitality.Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography.

Tracy enjoying Boursin Canada’s canapes. Photo by Edward Chiazor, efosa blog.

Boursin Canada came on as the National Partner for 2024, bringing their delectable cheese to Le Diner en Blanc events across the country, including recent gatherings in Vancouver and Montreal. In Toronto, they collaborated with renowned Star Chef Trevor Lui of Highbell Hospitality to elevate the experience with a selection of bite-sized canapés featuring their beloved cheese flavours. Guests delighted in creative treats like the Persian cucumber ‘Oreo’ paired with pumpkin seed crunch and romesco sauce, crowned with Boursin’s Basil and Chive cheese – a gourmet touch adding a flavorful twist to the elegant affair!

The Element Industry Table as guests trickle in. Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography.

‘Tables topped with centerpieces from Seven Events & Floral, and a Butter Sablés baked by Guerdoo Cakes & Pastries. Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography. Branded ice bag provided by Red Scarf Gift Co.

With the swift rebrand from former Chair-man Mills to newly launched Element Event Solutions, the premium event rental company hosted an industry table inviting Toronto’s finest event planners, influencers and media executives to dine under the stars. In collaboration with industry powerhouses like Canadian Special Events Magazine, Baxter Media, and The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (WPIC), guests were treated to stunningly set tables designed by Veronica Fazio, Founder of The Wedding Planner & Lifestyle Magazine, and her talented team. Each place setting featured a delightful Butter Sablés (French butter shortbread) to perfectly complement the Parisian theme, courtesy of Guerdoo Cakes & Pastries. The evening buzzed with excitement as Ignite Magazine’s team amongst honoured guests gathered to toast the close of another successful event season.

Clearly Canadian giving out complimentary water as guests arrive. Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography.

Clearly Canadian vintage photo booth trailer. Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography.

The premium sparkling water brand, Clearly Canadian made a splash as a leading partner, featuring their charming photobooth trailer – a bubbly addition that added a fun twist to the elegant evening! Guests eagerly lined up for vintage photostrips all while brand ambassadors gave out complimentary sparkling water, leaving not one table untouched with the blue bottled water brand.

Canadian Special Events Magazine hosted an industry photobooth in partnership with Mirror Mirror Inc and Pro Party Rentals curated by The Design Techs. Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography.

Debbie van der Beek, Publisher of Ignite Magazine, and her team posing for their photos.

Canadian Special Events Magazine hosted an industry photobooth nearby the industry tables, The activation was curated by The Design Techs in collaboration with Mirror Mirror Inc. providing the photobooth and Party Pro Rentals supplying the flower wall. Planners, influencers, and media executives popped in throughout the night, leaving with their very own photo strips as memorable keepsakes from the enchanting evening.

The event also featured various other activations throughout the night for guests to engage with their friends and loved ones to build lasting memories before they finished off the night.

Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography.

Innovision Booth brought in their AI-powered robotic sketch photobooth where guests position themselves in front of the ring light, triggering the robotic arm to draw a hand-drawn sketch of the patron. Booth design curated by The Design Techs, backwall provided by Seven Events & Florals.

Robotic arm drawing a portrait of a guest. Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography.

Mavalli Entertainment brought in their inflatable bubble dome for guests to take dynamic selfie videos inside as white balloons swirled around them.

Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography.

Kandle Artistique gave out mini candle samples throughout the night, allowing guests to sniff and fall in love with their luxe selection of candles. Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography.

Ice Boy Toronto supplied a branded ice sculpture of the event’s logo. Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography.

Guests signed-up for a chance to win 1 of 2 trips to The Bahamas courtesy at The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism booth featuring a greenery wall from Party Pro Rentals. Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography.

Figure skater inside a globe by Glisse on Ice. Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography.

Top it Experience sampling their Poffertjes mini dutch pancakes. Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography.

Seven Events & Florals brought in their lush greenery archways to line the center aisle leading down to the dance floor and stage. Photo by Edward Chiazor, efosa blog.

Seven Events & Florals archways. Photo by Maple Aerial Photography.

Airstar North’s inflatable lights lit up the park grounds as the sunset. Photo by Edward Chiazor, efosa blog.

Jacqueline Onassis of Alluring Interiors curated a VOGUE Magazine cover photo-opp. Photo by Marcus McPhee Photography.

Marquee Letters Toronto supplied an uplit 30-foot marquee. Photo by Edward Chiazor, efosa blog.

Photo of Kelly, Marc and Lori featuring ShimmerTech‘s shimmering sequin wall beautifully uplit by Surge AV. Photo by Edward Chiazor, efosa blog.

The fun continued into the night with music from Perpetual Rhythms as guests hit the dance floor lined by giant Iridescent orbs provided by Mavalli Entertainment to match the stage sequin wall by ShimmerTech.

And just like that, the guests packed up, and the pop-up picnic disappeared for another year into Toronto’s cityscape.

Interested in attending next year? Sign-up for the waitlist at toronto.dinerenblanc.com.

Partners for this event:

National Partner:
Boursin Canada

Local Partners:
Clearly Canadian Water
Element Event Solutions (formally Chair-man Mills)
Charlie’s Burgers Wine Program
Seven Events & Florals

Production Committee:
Host: Lori Heller, Heller Events
Committee Co-Chair: Marc Talbot, Exclusive Management Services (EMS Events)
Culinary Director: Trevor Lui, Highbell Hospitality Group
Volunteer Coordinator: Kelly Foster, Realtor
Lead Designer: Veronica Michalczak, The Design Techs
AV: Graham Fillier, Surge Audio Visual
Industry Table Prep Lead: Veronica Fazio, The Wedding Planner & Lifestyle Magazine
Element Table Leaders: Daniel Melo & Rebecca Hollander, Element Event Solutions
Media & Sponsorship Support: Cristina Carpio, Evolve Media Group Inc.
Media Support: Jennifer Lipkowitz, Living Luxe Magazine
PR & Influencer Management: Jennifer Love & Natalie Geraedts, Duet Public Relations
Social Media: Kenny TS
Tents: Graham Bauckham, Varsity Tent & Event Rentals