Monday, we went to the official Dîner En Blanc prep parties at Rent the Runway, Goorin Brothers, Ledbury, and Dean & Deluca in Georgetown.

To kick off Dîner en Blanc season in Washington, a handful of Georgetown shops are pulling their best white inventory and showcasing their most elegant picnic cuisine in preparation for DC’s third annual Diner en Blanc on Saturday, Aug. 27. We snapped Diner en Blanc co-hosts Kaitlin Davis Barry and Bryer Davis flanked by Rent The Runway managers Liana Steir and Khalilah Branch.

Rent the Runway, Goorin Brothers and Ledbury offered guests fashion and fitting parties, where each store had all of its Dîner-en-Blanc-appropriate pieces available for shoppers to try on and purchase. Here, Ledbury’s Aaron Goode with event host Linda Davis and Bulldog Public Relations president Matt Hagan.

Guests also enjoyed complimentary cupcakes, courtesy of Georgetown Cupcakes, champagne, wine and whiskey throughout the stores. Dean & Deluca labeled specific cheeses, charcuterie, freshly prepared salads and loaves of bread suggested for attendees who wanted to fill their own baskets. Olivia Macaron offered specially made all-white macarons. Here, Goorin Brothers’ Ari Harris and Nicole Sharma with Barks 'N' Rec’s Melanie Moser.

Dîner en Blanc was launched in Paris in 1988 by François Pasquier and a handful of friends, and it has since become a worldwide epicurean phenomenon. The secret, posh picnic is held in over 70 cities in more than 25 countries around the world. Each event is headed by local organizers who fell in love with the concept and wanted to bring it to their city, giving this rendezvous a local flair. Here, Fox Rehabilitation's Marques Julius and CASE's Crystal Taylor.