Most Lavish White House State Dinners

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 19^th 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.

First Lady Stuns At State Dinner

At a state dinner for South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his wife Kim Yoon-ok at the North Portico of the White House on October 13th, first lady Michelle Obama showed off one of her signature looks: wearing an asymmetrical gown by Korean-American designer Doo-Ri Chung.

Though the White House state dinner honoring President of South Korea Lee Myung-bak had a lack of Hollywood power, there were a few fashionistas in the mix. Here is a look at some of the most memorable ensembles, via the White House pool report.