The State Dinner is one of the most glamorous events to take place in the White House. It is an event in which the president and first lady show their hospitality and friendly faces as they honor the head of state and his or her spouse, who will be making their special visit for the occasion. The evening is full of laughs, traditional toasts, and open dialogue amongst world leaders.

A lot of planning goes into the black tie affair and everything from the invitations and guest list to the seating and entertainment for the evening must be perfect.

To this day, Presidents and First Ladies, like President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama, undergo elaborate planning for the state dinner to make sure everything is just right. The Obama’s held their last state dinner on October 18, 2016, and it turned out to be quite a hit.

Swipe through the gallery and take a look at more photos from the grand affair.