"It's Our Royalty": The Details Of Chelsea's Wedding Day

By Hortense Smith | August 1, 2010 | 4:35pm

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Details are starting to emerge about Chelsea Clinton’s wedding day, with everything from dress designs to reception toasts to the vegan-friendly menu becoming public:

Chelsea’s dress was designed by Vera Wang, according to USWeekly, who described the dress as “a strapless, raw-edged laser cut swirling silk organza Vera Wang ball skirt and train, with a silk tulle diagonally draped bodice accented by an embellished belt.” The groom’s tux? Burberry. Secretary Clinton wore Oscar de la Renta.

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Guests who attended the wedding told The Daily Beast that President Clinton’s toast “was just so beautiful. It was Bill at his best. He made it through without crying. He just said what a fantastic kid Chelsea was and also how much he loves Marc.” Marc’s toast wasn’t too shabby, either: “The best toast was the groom’s to the bride. He gave this long, beautiful toast about the relationship, and meeting her and how wonderful and special she is, and how blessed he is. I don’t want to tell you any more because I’ll ruin it.” A poem was also read at the ceremony: Leo Marks’ “The Life That I Have.”

Clinton’s proud parents released the following statement to the press: “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.”

The couple had an inter-faith ceremony, as Clinton is Methodist and Mezvinsky is Jewish. According to the New York Times: “The family said the ceremony would celebrate and honor elements of both traditions. It would include friends and family reading the Seven Blessings, which are typically recited at traditional Jewish weddings following the vows and exchange of rings.”

Several famous guests, including Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen attended the ceremony. And according to the New York Times: “Teenage boys chased after former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, seeking autographs.”

According to the Associated Press, “it is estimated that hundreds of guests gathered at the historic estate near the end of a near-perfect summer day of warm temperatures, blue skies and cottony clouds.” At the reception, these guests were treated to a vegan-friendly menu, as Clinton is a vegan, though as the Times Herald-Record notes, there was also “grass-fed beef for those who just have to have their meat.” Clinton also has Celiac disease, so the cake was gluten-free.

Those wondering why Clinton’s wedding was such a big deal might find an answer in the words of Arlene Newman, who drove to Rhinebeck, New York just to try to get a glimpse of the ceremony, explaining her interest to the New York Times as such: “It’s royalty. It’s our royalty.”

As Chelsea Clinton Celebrates Her Wedding, Town Of Rhinebeck, N.Y. Elbows Its Way In [NYTimes]
Vegan Cuisine Will Star At Clinton Wedding Reception [RecordOnline]
The Big Day: Chelsea Clinton’s Wedding [NYTimes]
All The Details Of Chelsea Clinton’s Wedding Dress [USWeekly]
Chelsea Clinton Wedding: Latest Details [AP]