A White House state dinner isn’t like a traditional dinner party. They're "bigger than the biggest weddings," says former White House chef Walter Scheib, and invitations are considered to be the “hottest tickets in town.” These lavish celebrations honoring a visiting head of government are some of the most glamorous affairs hosted by the White House, and have been a tradition since the early 19th century, when President Grant hosted the first-ever state dinner, complete with a 29-course meal. Receiving an invitation to dine at the White House is reason alone to celebrate, as each guest is hand-picked. And when your hosts are the first lady and president of the United States, you can’t cancel — especially if you will be dining next to celebrities like Peyton Manning, Beyoncé and Whitney Houston.
