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When Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former President Bill Clinton and current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, wed investment banker Marc Mezvinsky on July 31, 2010, it was dubbed the wedding of the year, the decade, the century even. But that was four months before Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton. So how does last year's "wedding of the century" compare to this year's "wedding of the century"?
How They Met
Chelsea and Marc first met as teenagers at a political retreat (Marc's parents are former Democratic members of Congress). They both went on to attend Stanford University, but did not begin dating until years later, after Chelsea ended her relationship with Ian Klaus.
Across the pond, William and Kate (a small-town girl from Bucklebury) met at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland in 2001. The college friendship developed into an eight-year relationship that included some break-ups along the way.
The Proposals
Over the Thanksgiving holiday in 2009, Marc proposed to Chelsea in New York. The pair shared the news with friends and family via a low-key email: "We're sorry for the mass email but we wanted to wish everyone a belated Happy Thanksgiving! We also wanted to share that we are engaged!"
In October 2010, while on a 10-day trip in Kenya, Africa, William asked for Kate's hand in marriage. Clarence House officially announced the engagement with a flashy photo op and TV interview the following month.
The Costs
The first-family wedding, which was held at Astor Courts, a private estate in Rhinebeck, New York, was described by townspeople as a "royal" event and the Clintons as our Windsor clan. "We love [Bill Clinton]... We wish them well. It's royalty. It's our royalty," New York state resident Arlene Newman told The New York Times.
The affair reportedly cost between $3 to $5 million. That hefty price tag included $750,000 for catering, $11,000 for a gluten-free cake (Chelsea's allergic), $15,000 for fancy toilets, $500,000 for flowers, $200,000 for extra security (paid for by the Clintons) and $600,000 for air-conditioned tents, among other expenses. Plus, a Federal Aviation Administration-enforced no-fly zone was in effect for the area.
William and Kate's nuptials take the wedding cake when it comes to expenses though. On April 29, they will say their "I do's" in Westminster Abbey, with a regal reception to follow at Buckingham Palace for the estimated princely sum of $34 million. The bulk of the cost is going towards security ($32 million), which British taxpayers will pay.
Officials have warned that a terrorist attack is "highly likely." The Irish Republican Army (IRA) is believed to be behind the alleged threats. But other groups, from Islamist militants to anti-capitalist protesters, have also threatened to commit acts of violence. The increased safety measures mean more man hours and added costs.
As for the remaining bills, two receptions come to $600,000; a fruity wedding cake, $80,000; flowers, $800,000 and clean-up, $64,000 (which will also be footed by taxpayers).
To help with some of the charges, the bride's parents forked over a six-figure amount, Vanity Fair reported.
The Gowns
For the ceremony, Chelsea wore a strapless Vera Wang gown with a raw-edged silk organza skirt, which featured a beaded waistband. For the reception, she switched into a silk tulle Grecian gown with a grosgrain black belt created by the designer (who also attended the wedding).
The details of Kate's dress are still a bit of a mystery. Sophie Cranston, Jasper Conran, Alice Temperley, Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen and Bruce Oldfield have all been named as possible dressmakers.
The Guests
Chelsea enacted a "no-strangers policy" for her Rhinebeck reception, which was limited to approximately 400 guests. Celebrities were kept to a minimum. Oprah and Barbra Streisand were not invited, but long-time family friends Ted Danson and wife Mary Steenburgen did make the cut, along with political allies, such as former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and the bride and groom's college and work friends.
As for this week's festivities, 1,900 onlookers will be in the Abbey pews, including David and Victoria Beckham, Elton John, lots of foreign royals and dignitaries and the couple's families and friends. Plus, two billion folks --a record-breaking number of eyeballs -- are expected to tune in to watch the first "people's royal wedding."
The Honeymoons
After their wedding, Marc and Chelsea headed to South Africa for a safari adventure. William and Kate's first trip as husband and wife will be to Jordan... or Australia... or Mustique... or Isles of Scilly.
As for privacy, well that's priceless.
More Royal Wedding News:
Royal Wedding Graffiti: "Don't Hate on Kate"
Royal Wedding Dress Designer Still a Mystery
Prince William and Kate Pay Emotional Visit to Princess Diana's Grave
Kate Middleton Shops at Banana Republic Before Wedding
Prince William and Kate Middleton Look a Little Sketchy
Who Was Crowned the Most Beautiful Royal of All Time?
Watch: Prince William's Royal Wedding Hangover
Women Don't Envy Kate Middleton
Could Prince William's Future Daughter Be Queen?
Homeless Girl Gets Royal Wedding Invite from Prince William
Must Watch: Royal Wedding Dance Video
Kate Middleton's Face Spotted on Jelly Bean
Reader comments (Page 1 of 3)
Biggest difference with the two weddings. Chelsea is an ugly liberal bitch. Kate is beautiful with class.
ReplyYou got that right !!!!!!!!!!!!
What a hateful thing to say. You don't even know her.
I couldn't agree with you more.
Posted but haven't been able to find it...here it goes:
I'M SICK OF THIS ROYAL CRAP!
This damned world is going to Hell and all you been doing since those two geeks got engaged is to shoved them down my throat EVERYDAY!
I DON'T GIVE A DAMN!
GET IT?
All this BS about the dork, horse-toothed prince marrying that skinny-lipped, frigid pop, who looks wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy older than her years...is the flavor of the month. I tell you what's going to happen:
In a few months you will start to hear all the dirt about their boozing, drug using and screwing around till the final coundown to divorce.
The End.
As far as that ugly man in drag, Chelsea Clinton, it goes to show you, that medicine is not as advanced as you might think, all the top plastic surgeons who operated on that liberal skank could find pretty in those ugly bones of her.
THE TRUTH IS CHELESA IS HONEST AND KATE IS A GOLD DIGGING SULT, BECAUSE ANY WOMAN THAT WOULD WAIT 9 YEARS FOR ANY MAN TO ASK THEM TO MARRY THEM, AS TO BE A FOOL OR A GOLDDIGGER AND LET'S FACE IT SH'S NO FOOL, AND HAVE WHAT ABOUT ALL OF THE PRIVATE TIME SHE HAS ALREADY SPENT WITH THE ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHER, HE'S IS HOT AS THE COME, I AM SURE HE WILL KEEP HER VERY HAPPY ON HER WAY TO THE CROWN.
IN ADDITION, THE GIRL DOES NOT HAVE ANY CONCEPT HOW TO WEAR MAKEUP AND WHY SHE WEARS BLUE I WILL NEVER KNOW, ITS TOTALLY THE WRONG COLOR FOR HER, SHE IS NOT A WINTER PERSON.
It takes one to know one "Ugly that is"; although I don't think Chelsea is Ugly. Ugly is from within and you JB are the Ugly one.
little upset this morning sweetie? now go take a good poop from the other end
Don't have to know the proof is in the PICTURES!!!! I mean talk about a horse-mouth...sure Mr. Ed isn't her dad!!!!
Geraldine really...come on we all know your issues..they start with your name!!!!
In the end - it's all about the dress! Http://www.weddingdressexpert.com And a wedding is always something to celebrate.
What a terrible thing to say about someone you know nothing about! Apparently you think that everyone is like you, that must be the problem.
That's comparing apples to oranges.
Replychelsy is just plain ugly
ReplyThe apple does not fall far from the tree
ReplyWho is getting married in the UK? I thought from the media it was Prince William and Princess Diana.
ReplyYou have to be kidding. The Clintons are not "royalty" - Bubba was from a trailer park mother, father unknown, and Hillary - where do we start??? No comparison!!!
ReplyHateful,hateful people. There is no comparison between royalty and the weddings we have here. We decided a long time ago, that we did not want royalty. Stop picking on Chelsea, no less her mother or father's parentage. Our country is above that type of thing. We are Americans...not nasty, pitiful individuals.
All this wedding coverage is making me sick - and now, in desperation for a new slant, the media is comparing Chelsea Clinton's overpriced hot mess of a marriage to William & Kate, who at least have a little bit of class (even though I think it's ridiculous that they have the money & priviledges they have). How desperate can you get for a story. Why not go back to talking about Kate's hairdo, at least that was nicer... we didn't have to look at Chelsea Clinton's ugly mug plus that of her cheating husband too.
THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT THIS CRAP ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO LIFE OF THERE OWN!!!! THESE TWO ARE NO MORE ROYAL THEN YOU OR I AND THE SOONER PEOPLE REALIZE THIS THE BETTER OFF YOUR ALL GOING TO BE!!!
ReplyAnd yet here you are commenting on the story. Ironic isn't it?