Champagne corks were popping as the sun set over Australia’s most famous beach last night when 5000 revellers, dressed all in white, descended for one of the biggest parties on the social calendar.
Le Diner en Blanc saw the white sands of Sydney’s Bondi Beach awash with white-clad partygoers as they drank and ate at the iconic spot.
But attendees were in the dark on the location until just before the event, with rumours that it would be held at Fort Denison in Sydney Harbour proving to be incorrect.
First thought up by Francois Pasquier in France in 1988, last night’s social gathering was the 10th iteration of the event to be held in Sydney.
Previously it has also been held outside the Opera House and at Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour.
And as well as being under instruction to only wear pure white – with not a cream bag or beige pump to be seen – attendees were also given a strict set of rules to follow for the party.
“Le Diner en Blanc requires from its guests an exemplary citizenship and discipline,” the rules on the event’s website state.
“A friendly, convivial and festive attitude is a must. Elegance … in white. Originality is encouraged, as long as it remains elegant and tasteful.”
Other rules included mandatory attendance regardless of the weather, no BYO (drinks and food had to be pre-ordered) and guests had to bring their own table, white, chairs and white tablecloth.
Even a white garbage bag was needed to put rubbish in at the end of the night, with the rules also stating: “Take all your garbage with you and clean the area around your table.”
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Attendees could opt for a pre-ordered picnic basket if they preferred.
Tickets – before food and alcohol were factored in – cost between $83-$108.
While it may seem a lot to pay for the privilege of taking your own table and chairs, event organisers had to fork over an eye-watering $32,411 to the council for exclusive hire of the famous beach.
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