Monday, August 02, 2010

INSIDE DETAILS: Chelsea Clinton's Wedding

Chelsea Clinton wed her longtime boyfriend Marc Mezvinsky this weekend at Astor Court, a Beaux Arts riverside estate in Rhinebeck, New York. Despite the tabloid speculation, there were few celebrities at Saturday's beautiful and very private ceremony -- Oprah Winfrey, Barbra Streisand and Steven Spielberg -- were not in attendance, perhaps not even invited. Longtime Clinton friends, actors Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, were among the names who did make the guest list, which included Bill Clinton's close friend and former White House adviser Vernon Jordan, and former Secretary of State Madeline Albright.

In front of about 500 of their family and friends, the bride and groom tied the knot in an interfaith ceremony. Chelsea wore a strapless gown made of ivory silk with silver beading wrapped around the waist, designed by Vera Wang, a family friend. For her reception, she changed into a silk tulle Grecian Vera Wang gown with criss cross back and narrow grosgrain black belt.
Former President Bill Clinton – father of the bride -- lost more than 15 pounds for the event, was close to tears as he walked his only child down the aisle. Her mother, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was glowing in a vibrant full-length Oscar de la Renta fuchsia gown. The flowers were roses and hydrangeas, all purpley-pinky-blue. It was a hue that corresponded with the attendants' gowns, which we're told were actually wedding gowns dyed a plum color, after they couldn't find a traditional bridesmaid-style gown they liked.
The reception was held on the same property -- not inside the mansion, but in a giant tented structure erected specifically for the occasion. The dinner was catered by the St. Regis Hotel in New York, a menu of short ribs, Atlantic char, a vegetarian option, and gluten-free rolls. The gluten-intolerant bride also selected a gluten-free wedding cake from La Tulipe. An 18-piece ensemble from New York (the orchestra of Jim Valli, a Clinton rep confirmed) performed big-band music. Bill Clinton, with an adoring look on his face, danced with his daughter to Frank Sinatra’s "The Way You Look Tonight." Later the Clinton parents danced together, with no fanfare and little attention, looking as ecstatic as they did at the 1993 inauguration. And yes, they also did the hora, which put Bill and Hillary up in the chairs; up too went the groom’s parents, ex-House members Ed Mezvinsky and Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky. After the band wrapped up, guests moved to an after-party that was held in a cathedral tent that was constructed on the estates clay tennis courts, where DJ Mia Morretti played '80s tunes and current Top-40 fare while guests danced until about 3 a.m. Sunday.
Very few details were leaked ahead of time, thanks in part to the couple's stealth wedding planner, Brian Rafanelli, who told the New York Times Sunday that he demanded confidentiality with all of his vendors. Although their honeymoon destination is a closely guarded secret, the newlyweds spent Sunday night in the Pierre hotel in New York City.
On Sunday morning, a caravan of Land Rovers and black sedans ferried guests to the finale -- a brunch at the 500-acre Grasmere Estate near Rhinebeck. Guests received gift bags filled with wine from a local vineyard, pretzels, peaches and a note from the bride and groom. Neighbors received a bottle of wine for their troubles, hand-delivered by Rafanelli.
The Astor Courts Estates where the wedding took place, which was previously for sale and then taken off the market in preparation for the big day, is back on the market. Realtors hope the recent attention will attract a buyer for the $12 million historical estate.