July 31: Chelsea Clinton was poised to marry her longtime boyfriend at an exclusive estate along New York’s Hudson River after weeks of intrigue, secrecy and buzz that caused hundreds to crowd into this small village hoping to catch of a glimpse of a former President, a secretary of state or their publicity-shy daughter.
The 30-year-old daughter of Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton was expected to wed her boyfriend, investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, at a ceremony Saturday evening with 400 to 500 guests. Details of the wedding were kept fanatically close to the vest, with shopkeepers, innkeepers, vendors and restaurateurs sworn to secrecy. Roads were closed, the skies were closed over the estate and inconvenienced neighbours were soothed with a complimentary bottle of wine.
As the police, private security and secret service prowled the town of 8,000, curious residents and tourists alike craned their necks to try to spot an A-list guest, a notable politician or, best of all, a Clinton.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the hotel where many of the guests are staying were rewarded Friday night when the Clintons exited a van arm-in-arm outside the Beekman Arms Hotel. Shortly before 11 pm, the former First Lady, wearing a long, green dress, waved to the cheering crowd waiting behind metal barricades and quickly went into the hotel. The couple left about a half-hour later.
Earlier in the day, the former President made an appearance around lunch-time, popping out of a car and walking a few blocks, greeting people on his way to a restaurant.