Friday, December 26, 2008

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!!!!!


26 comments:

Anonymous said...

I LOVED that post, Donna!! Not only was it gorgeous and interesting---it was loaded with PINK!!
The closest thing I ever came to that Debutante experience was competing in a local Horse Show Queen Contest when I was in HS--I didn't win (I know, you're wondering "What were those judges thinking?"). It did teach me a valuable lesson---and that was that I never wanted to parade around on a stage in heels again--EVER! :)
You have so many fun experiences--sure beats the heck out of mine!! (flea markets, garage sales, antique shopes!) I need to step it up a notch!
Have a great Pink Saturday and a Wonderful New Year!
Dana

Anonymous said...

Donna, this was a great post of a wonderful and magical event. I love deb balls. The girls all look beautiful, and this night will become a wonderful memory for all involved.

Happy Pink Saturday.

Connie said...

What a wonderful time you must have had, sweetpea! I remember those days back in Virginia and how special it was. I just loved wearing those ball gowns.
Smooches,
Connie

SmilingSally said...

What a memorable time! I can see why it'd be the dream of any girl. Happy Pink Saturday!

Rattlebridge Farm said...

Such a fabulous post! It's lovely to meet you.

shaybert said...

Gasp, just beautiful!
I went to college at The Master's when it was still LABC! Thank you for visiting my place today. Happy Pink Saturday! Blessings, Shay

Anonymous said...

WOW what a way to start my afternoon.
The girls are all beautiful and the gents also.
Great post and lucky you for being able to attend with your daughter.
Claudie from Canada

Marina Capano said...

Hi! nice pink post!I love them! amazing party and wonderful dreses!
have a great weekend and wonderful new year!!
visit me anytime...

xoxo

Betty said...

Wow! How exciting for those girls. They all look so pretty and young!!
Have a wonderful Pink Saturday and a Happy New Year!!

Kris said...

What a fun and memorable night for these girls. Everything was lovely. The girls all look beautiful and the fathers proud.

Thanks for sharing.

Happy PS

Kris

suesueb said...

such a beautiful post-those girls will have such wonderful memories!! happy pink saturday and new year!

Unknown said...

Wow...what a wonderful evening!
This is a tradition that is almost forgotten! What a great memory.
Happy New Year!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Happy Pink Saturday, what an incredible evening..and lucky for you loaded with pink..lol.this is one evening that won't soon be forgotten. You were so fortunate to be able to go..
hugs ~lynne~

KatCollects said...

A beautiful post! And great colors for pink Saturday : ) I love seeing all the Dad's, Fathers and Daughters just have such a special bond, thank you for sharing it with us.
Kathy

alicesg said...

Lovely event. The girls all looked so gorgeous and Happy Pink Saturday to you.

Unknown said...

This looks like so much fun! What a great way for a young lady to experience some of the finer things in life. Love all the pink too!

said...

That was a fun read, Donna. Nice to see beautiful tradition carried on.

Anonymous said...

Donna,
Thank you for stopping by.....My Goodness...it's beautiful! the girls were gorgeous...the post of all the pin was just interesting and lovely..Happy Pink..

Mo..."Mo's Cottage" said...

Wow !!!! What a fun fun night...The girls look fabulous...this was a night you will not forget.....I bet you came home with a ton of great ideas....
Great post...
Hugs,
Mo :-)

Fifi Flowers said...

Lovely event! LOVE the pink Nutcracker! Happy PINK Saturday! ENJOY! Fifi

Pink Slippers said...

I too loved the pink nutcracker. I wonder who gets all the pink pretties after. lol. It was fun looking at all the beautiful girls and the other parts of the evening. What fun!

Anonymous said...

Love the pink Nutcracker, it's perfect. The girls are gorgeous, too :o) Best wishes for a perfectly PINK New Year!

Victoria

Anonymous said...

How beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Did I say just how beautiful everything was..thank you for letting us all enjoy... Happy belated Pink Saturday...

Jorgelina said...

Nice pink post!!!
A wonderful celebration.
The beautiful dreses.
What memorable night for these girls.
Happy New Year!

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

What a lovely post!!

The girls are just all visions! And I'd kill for that pink nutcracker!!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

sweetmemorymakingmom said...

Oh MY!!! How exquisite. The dresses are gorgeous! What a beautiful Pink Post. Thank you for stopping by mine! We Barbie girls have to stick together! LOL Many Blessings in the New Year!