Pink Debutante Saturday

My friend Jan and her daughter are members of the National Charity League Debutane program of San Marino. Jan was Co-Chair for the photography for the debutante ball on Monday evening at The Langham (formerly Ritz Calrton Huntington) and she asked me to be her date. Her husband was at home with their 2 sick kids. The decor at the hotel was all in PINK...lucky me!
My daughter is only 8 so this was my first introduction to the world of Debutantes. Our community has Silver Rose Debutantes through our local hospital but it was started when I was 20-two years too late for me...bummer! In the NCL Debutante program, girls join in the 7th, 8th or 9th grade and continue various charity work through their senoir year in high school.
The evening started with a cocktail hour and then the introduction of the debutantes. The room was decorated like a Winter Wonderland. For dinner we had salad, Beef Tenderloin, potatoes au gratin and asparagus with chocolate mousse for dessert.

All of the girls are college freshman and are home during winter break from school. Last year, one of the debutantes was the Rose Queen for the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day. Here are the dads, all in tails and white gloves, waiting for their daughters. The last dad in line kept taking sips of wine off of the family table while waiting for his daughter... he was so nervous!

The girls were introduced and we were told what their favorite part of their charity work was and their favorite moments. It was very cute.


Their fathers take their arm and escort them around the dance floor.
Half way through the walk, the girls do a deep curtsy. They were all wearing flat ballet shoes to ensure that they wouldn't fall over!

The first dance of the night, the dads and debs danced to Eidlweiss. That is the first song that I sang to my children after they were born.
I almost cried! Here are the escorts and stags waiting for their introdution. The escorts are the Deb's date and the stags are there to protect the "virtue" of the debs with their dates. :)


During the party, the girls had professional pictures taken with extended family members and friends. Earlier in the evening, they had their pictures taken with their parents and siblings. Jan said that the debs receive albums of the photographs similar to wedding albums.



It was so fun to watch the interaction between everyone. There were even non-professional pictures being taken. Isn't this deb's dress gorgeous? It looks like a Monique L'Huillier. My friend said that the girls gowns are bridal dresses without the trains.

There were 13 debs that evening. Jan said that usually there are between 25-40 but this was a small class.

This was just the cutest moment between a deb and her grandfather. It was such a special night. I can't wait for my daughter's turn in such a special organization.

Don't forget to check out the other pink goodness at Beverly's. Every week, she hosts this fun event encouraging us to post pink loveliness. It is so much fun! Happy New Year!!!!!