Chelsea Clinton weds at genteel estate
The crowd is estimated in the hundreds, including Madeleine Albright and designer Vera Wang.
By MICHAEL HILL The Associated Press
RHINEBECK, N.Y. - Chelsea Clinton wed her longtime boyfriend under extraordinary security at an elegant Hudson River estate late Saturday.
Former President Bill Clinton walks his daughter, Chelsea, down the aisle for her wedding Saturday in Rhinebeck, N.Y. Chelsea Clinton wed her longtime boyfriend, investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, after weeks of secrecy that had celebrity watchers flocking to the village.
The Associated Press/Genevieve de Manio
Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky are seen during their wedding Saturday at an elegant Hudson River estate called Astor Courts in Rhinebeck, N.Y.
The Associated Press/Genevieve de Manio
Additional Photos Below
Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton announced in a statement that their daughter wed investment banker Marc Mezvinsky after weeks of secrecy that had celebrity watchers flocking to the small village of Rhinebeck for the evening nuptials. The site of the wedding, a Beaux Arts riverside estate called Astor Courts, was sealed off from the general public.
"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," the Clintons said.
"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."
It is estimated that hundreds of guests gathered at the historic estate near the end of a day of warm temperatures, blue skies and cottony clouds. The ceremony was conducted by a minister and a rabbi, as Chelsea Clinton is Methodist and Mezvinsky is Jewish. The couple read a poem by Leo Marks titled, "The Life I Have," according to the family.
The wedding was a mix of high society and high security. The road to Astor Courts was blocked off Saturday -- neighbors received bottles of wine for their troubles -- and the sky above was declared a no-fly zone by federal aviation officials. Police and security guards fanned out around this usually sleepy town.
Consistent with Chelsea Clinton's desire for privacy, the family had released no details of the wedding beyond the date. But the scope of the event became apparent when more than a half-dozen busloads of wedding guests -- men in black tie, women in dresses -- were transported from a hotel in the village to the riverside ceremony.
Celebrities spotted in Rhinebeck for the event included actors Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, fashion designer Vera Wang, Madeleine Albright, who was secretary of state during Bill Clinton's second term as president, and Terry McAuliffe, former Democratic National Committee chairman.
Chelsea Clinton and Mezvinsky were friends as teenagers in Washington, and both attended Stanford University. They now live in New York, where Mezvinsky works at G3 Capital, a Manhattan hedge fund.
Clinton completed her master's degree in public health earlier this year at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.
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Additional Photos
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Guests wait for a bus to depart the Delamater Inn to go to Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky’s wedding at the riverside estate of Astor Courts in Rhinebeck, N.Y., on Saturday. The Associated Press |
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Two women stand on a bench to get a view of guests leaving the Delamater Inn on their way to Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky’s wedding on Saturday. The Associated Press |
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13 COMMENTS
MainelyJack said...
Crickets.
August 1, 2010 at 7:08 AM Report abuse
UGF0cmlvdGlubWU%3D said...
2 mill for a wedding is a bit much, don't ya think... what about the millions in Africa starving...
August 1, 2010 at 7:50 AM Report abuse
Janie said...
What about the shopkeepers, servers, laborers, car rental workers, etc etc etc that are AMERICAN! They all made some extra money over the last weeks. Hats off to the Clintons who have the money and spent it HERE! Chelsea has actually gone and visited areas of devistation in the world and I'm quite sure dropped a pile of money in each one, let's let this girl have her day, she's a good one.
August 1, 2010 at 7:55 AM Report abuse
jake007 said...
Mezvinsky,,Lewinsky. Thats got to be a bit of irony.
August 1, 2010 at 8:21 AM Report abuse
UofA said...
Who really cares! Why wasn't her father there instead of the ex-president? No one needs to spend this much money on a wedding especially in this economical time. Thumbing their nose at the country! You think we didn't pay for a lot of this with our taxes?
August 1, 2010 at 8:32 AM Report abuse
Ayuh23 said...
snark snark snark- people who have a lot of money are supposed to spend it to stimulate the economy, right? Wasn't that the plan behind the tax cuts for the rich endorsed by the Republican Party? Thanks to the Daughters of the Presidents, Chelsea and Jenna, for doing their part to spend their dads' money on weddings in small towns.
August 1, 2010 at 9:00 AM Report abuse
lovinit said...
Looks like those tax cuts for the super rich are working, it allowed this super rich family to throw the wedding of the century. Funning how all the children of republican presidents hate their fathers. Ron Reagan jr., Tricia Nixon. But of course don't forget George W. Bush punching good old Herbert in the kisser. Got to love how republicans treat their kids. Mission Accomplished!
August 1, 2010 at 9:13 AM Report abuse
Les said...
kids will never have a moment of privacy, there will always be Paparizzi looking for that compromising pic to sell to a sleazy tabloid, rumors of affairs and secret lovers will abound for the rest of their lives. No thanks- I'd rather me and mine be anonymous and reasonably safe North of the big green bridge.
August 1, 2010 at 9:35 AM Report abuse
MyVan said...
Hedge fund operator weds former employee of George Soros, at his property.Another criminal enterprise forming... !
August 1, 2010 at 10:23 AM Report abuse
thor said...
She looked beautiful.
August 1, 2010 at 11:37 AM Report abuse
fakename said...
Another example of how money trickles down. A lot of people seem to think the rich just take the money out of circulation and just hoard it to keep it away from the poor. Do you all think they just swim in gold coins a la Scrooge McDuck?
August 1, 2010 at 2:58 PM Report abuse
Festus2 said...
I'm sure that Marc loves her. Let's just say that her father is prettier than she is.
August 1, 2010 at 6:04 PM Report abuse
GrammieX6 said...
Wow. If you're going to comment, read all you can about the subject at hand. The MEDIA reported on how much was being spent and it turns out not to be true - not even close. The wedding cost "well under one million dollars..." And how can anyone look at the smile on her face and call her ugly? Didn't your mother teach you that beauty comes from within? Are all of you "beautiful people?" I think not. And if they spent $700,000 on this wedding, think of where it went. Caterers, waitstaff, people to sew the dresses, make the food, put up the tents, even bring out the porta potties. Give me a break. And give the kids a break for a little bit of happiness.
August 1, 2010 at 11:10 PM Report abuse