Though the weeks leading up to Chelsea Clinton’s wedding buzzed with speculation about the celebrity guest list — Oprah! Steven Spielberg! Barbra Streisand! — in the end, the true stars of Rhinebeck, N.Y. were none other than the bride and her famous folks. And no, I don’t think attendees Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen would be offended by that assessment. Yesterday, as crowds followed the actors, who are longtime friends of the Clintons, Danson remarked, “We must be the only celebrities in town. I’m sorry.” Funny!
Though I’m a bit baffled by all the frenzied interest in the former First Daughter’s nuptials—by the way, she married Marc Mezvinsky, pictured, far left—I get that it’s the closest our aristocracy-less country gets to a royal wedding. And even my cold, cynical heart felt a pang when I saw the picture of Bill Clinton walking his only child down the aisle. Awww…misty-eyed, I was! In that instant, he wasn’t the formerly most-powerful-man-in-the-world Clinton. He was just a proud (and mightily slimmed-down!) dad accompanying his daughter on her big day. Immediately following the ceremony, Bill and Hillary Clinton released this statement: “Today, we watched with great pride and overwhelming emotion as Chelsea and Marc wed in a beautiful ceremony at Astor Courts, surrounded by family and their close friends. We could not have asked for a more perfect day to celebrate the beginning of their life together, and we are so happy to welcome Marc into our family. On behalf of the newlyweds, we want to give special thanks to the people of Rhinebeck for welcoming us and to everyone for their well-wishes on this special day.”
So congrats to Chelsea. Those of us old enough to remember the Clinton years can marvel at her transformation into young womanhood. And the girly girls among us (and our gay b.f.f.’s) can coo over the gorgeous Vera Wang gown she wore. Stunning! Well done, lady! (Here’s another shot of it. The New York Times also has a slideshow.) Do you share my assessment of her wedding gown? Beautiful, right?
Yes. Gorgeous dress, and touching photo of the walk down the aisle.
Thought Chelsea looked radiant, and Hillary looked gorgeous! Blessings & mazel tov.
It’s funny how the press gave this wedding more attention than they did Jenna Bush’s wedding. Does that mean the press is mostly liberal???
Jenna Bush’s wedding got a ton of press.
No…people like the Clinton’s and Chelsea…The Bush Twins got a lot of and press and their father is an idiot
I actually think Jenna’s got more press. I’ve barely heard about Chelsea’s wedding. Actually, I didn’t even know it was happening until the day before.
Jenna Bush got lots of media attention when she got married.
ITA
Vera never disappoints! chelsea looked amazing!
I always had a soft spot for Chelsea Clinton because she had to be in the spotlight at such an awkward age. Her dress was stunning!
Agreed. She has transformed into a lovely lady.
Yeah, and imagine how awkward it was to hear all the intimate, gory details of your Dad’s extra-marital affair all over the news. I always felt bad for her.
Bill lost a bunch of weight. I’ve read that she asked him to. He looks like he’s been hanging out with Drew Carey. Yes, she had a nice dress, but…
His doctors also asked him to, he has heart problems.
I am happy that Chelsea had “her” day, not one to satisfy gossip blogs with entertainers and stars. I am pleased that her family was able to make it about her. She deserved it. Gorgeous dress and you know her father cried like a baby. Just like any good father would.
Whatever else might be said about them, I’m impressed the Bill and Hillary managed to raise such a normal-seeming daughter in the midst of such a chaotic life.
Chelsea looks lovely and I am so glad that the family had the kind of day that they planned–private and beautiful. The ridiculous stories published about this private affair are examples of what is wrong with “reporting” today. Wild speculation from people not even involved in the preparations is not news. I hope that they leave this young couple alone and move on.
You are so right. I hate that speculation and unconfirmed tips from “anonymous sources” seem to be what passes for news these days.
Pretty dress, but her makeup is hideous. Sincerely, your catty gay BFF.
Yes, way too much makeup.
Sorry kids but her makeup was perfect! It WAS an evening wedding so the makeup reflected that. If it was an afternoon soiree – then it was way too much.
Sorry, Mandy, but blue eyeshadow and red lips at the same time is too heavy no matter what time of day. Heavy eye makeup requires a pale lip color and heavy lips require minimal eye makeup. You can’t do both.
GAWD YES!!! She looks like she fell face first into a Mac counter.
She needs a lot of makeup because she’s extremely ugly.
mindy must know this from experience. so sorry, mindy.
Mindy, I think, is ugly on the inside.
Yes, Mindy Chelsea is UGLY, but she looked nice on her wedding day. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but most of these people are too afraid to call her ugly.
I agree with ditto. Calling people ugly doesn’t make yoi any prettier, dear.
I live in New York and have actually seen her in person. She is much better looking in person than in picture that I’ve seen of her. She’s a beautiful woman.
Not sure most people regard the Clintons as “royalty,” but Chelsea certainly does. While campaigning for her mother, she commanded attention for her statements and speeches, yet haughtily slapped down questions by saying that she does not “talk to the press.” That said — happy day, lovely dress, good luck to one and all.
The campaign wasn’t about Chelsea – she was simply a daughter campaigning for her mother. She had every right not to answer personal questions about herself.
I’m thrilled that she was able to have a “wedding” and not, try as they might – media event.
Dress and bride were just beautiful (and the groom – Marc – was none to shabby himself).
I don’t think the article meant the Clintons are treated like “royalty”. I believe the writer meant that weddings involving children of former presidents will be closely watched because the first family will be our version of royalty.
why does she have to talk to press? show me where in the US bill of rights it says being the private daughter of former president you have to talk to press? americans are unreal
Since the groom is a local, I’ve been readind a lot of the stories about this wedding and I have to say, I cannot believe some of the hateful comments people have posted. How refreshing the comments have been here on EW! Stay classy EW readers!
Who would have ever thought that awkward teenager would grow up to be such a stunning bride.
That girl has been through a lot – all in the public eye. God bless her.
She looked beautiful and the dress is gorgeous!
See what millions of dollars can buy you.
The wedding didn’t cost “millions of dollars”. That was a rumor.
The whole affair did.
Those various multi-million dollar amounts were guesses by “experts.” Their estimated costs included things like $20,000 for Chelsea’s makeup. These same experts said that Oprah, Tom Hanks, and Steven Speilberg were absolutely coming to the wedding.
According the the Associated Press:
“Meanwhile, a longtime Clinton family friend adamantly denied that the cost of the wedding would be more than $1 million. The friend, who spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with the family’s desire for privacy, said the cost of the wedding will not exceed six figures.”
love the dress (LOVE!!!) and love that she isn’t fake orange/overly tanned — she looks very, very pretty. congrats to her and marc!
Heh, I was coming to post the same thing. She’s naturally pale, like I am. When gals like us get spray tans or tans by other artificial means we look orange. It’s not attractive. She looks nice.
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS – HER, THE GOWN, THE PROUD PARENTS AND OF COURSE THE GROOM!
Gorgeous dress, she looked also very happy. Congrats to the family!