Clinton daughter weds in mystery-shrouded ceremony
By DPA, IANSSaturday, July 31, 2010
NEW YORK - Chelsea Clinton was married Saturday, though details of the wedding were guarded like state secrets amid a horde of frustrated reporters in Rhinebeck, north of New York City, the family announced.
In a statement emailed to the media, US ex-president Bill Clinton and sitting Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said: “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 announcement was in stark contrast to the days before the ceremony, when the only established fact was that their only child was getting married.
The 30-year-old Chelsea and investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, 32, one of 10 children of another US political couple, became engaged in late 2009.
There had been speculation of a massive decoy operation ahead of the Clintons’ arrival Friday evening in Rhinebeck, which has just under 8,000 residents.
“We love it here. Chelsea loves the area as well,” Bill Clinton told reporters during a short walk through the small town.
But he wouldn’t be drawn out on details of the ceremony or the guest list.
Hillary Clinton had characterized the ceremony as being only “a family wedding”.
Speculation in the US media has ranged from less than $1 million to as much as $3 million for the affair. The wedding dress alone was said to be listed for $25,000.
Invited guests reportedly had to turn in their mobile phones and any other recording devices. The only thing known about the guests was that US President Barack Obama would not be among them.
The security measures especially are likely to push up the cost of the wedding. Rhinebeck was practically sealed off, with many streets blocked. Even airspace over the town was shut down for 12 hours.
In their statement after the wedding, the Clinton parents thanked Rhinebeck for its hospitality.
“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,” they wrote.
