Chelsea Clinton to Dad: Back Off Bill, It's My Wedding!

By Rob Shuter Posted Jul 29th 2010 09:00AM

With all the excitement mounting around Chelsea Clinton's upcoming wedding this weekend (July 31) to Marc Mevinsky, no one is more excited than her proud papa, Bill. Some say he's maybe a little too excited.

"What daddy wouldn't be on cloud nine about his only daughter's upcoming wedding," a Clinton family friend tells me. "The only problem is that when your father is ex-President Bill, a man with a healthy ego, everything starts to become about him."

Sources tell me Chelsea has been gently reminding her larger-than-life father that she wants the day to be on the low-key side, surrounded by her family and dear friends, rather than a huge event filled with Hollywood celebrities and people she hardly knows.

"The guest list is already up to over 400 people, way more than Chelsea originally wanted," a political insider tells me. "If Chelsea hoped this would be a low-key affair, she can think again. However, the good news is that her mom's boss, President Barack Obama, and First Lady Michelle have not been invited. Neither have friends of her father's, like Barbra Streisand, Stephen Spielberg and Oprah, that had all been rumored to attend.

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Chelsea's Big Day

Clinton Fever has infected the town of Rhinebeck, New York with only days remaining before former first daughter Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky tie the knot. More Pics of the Madness >>

AFP/Getty Images

AFP

Chelsea Clinton Snapshots

A bottle of Clinton Vineyards white wine is display at the Wines & Liquors shop on July 28, 2010 in Rhinebeck, New York. Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky are to be married July 31in Rhinebeck. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

Chelsea Clinton Snapshots

Balloons with a wedding theme are displayed outside a shop on July 28, 2010 in Rhinebeck, New York. Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky are to be married July 31in Rhinebeck. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

Chelsea Clinton Snapshots

A painting by Diana Huff depicting Chelsea Clinton's upcoming marriage to Marc Mezvinsky is displayed at the Wing & Clover shop on East Market Street on July 28, 2010 in Rhinebeck, New York. Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky are to be married July 31 in Rhinebeck. AFP PHOTO / Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

Chelsea Clinton Snapshots

Astor Courts is seen in Rhinebeck, N.Y., on Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Chelsea Clinton plans to marry fiance Marc Mezvinsky at Astor Courts on Saturday. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Chelsea Clinton Snapshots

Astor Courts is seen on the Hudson River near the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge in Rhinebeck, N.Y., on Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Chelsea Clinton plans to marry fiance Marc Mezvinsky at Astor Courts on Saturday. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Chelsea Clinton Snapshots

Astor Courts is seen in Rhinebeck, N.Y., on Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Chelsea Clinton plans to marry fiance Marc Mezvinsky at Astor Courts on Saturday. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Chelsea Clinton Snapshots

Astor Courts is seen in Rhinebeck, N.Y., on Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Chelsea Clinton plans to marry fiance Marc Mezvinsky at Astor Courts on Saturday. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Chelsea Clinton Snapshots

Astor Courts is seen in Rhinebeck, N.Y., on Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Chelsea Clinton plans to marry fiance Marc Mezvinsky at Astor Courts on Saturday. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Chelsea Clinton Snapshots

A man walks on East Market Street in Rhinebeck, N.Y., where a sign hangs congratulating Chelsea Clinton and fiance Marc Mezvinsky Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Clinton and Mezvinsky plan to marry in the upstate New York village of Rhinebeck on Saturday. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Chelsea Clinton Snapshots

Residents and journalists on East Market Street, July 28, 2010 in Rhinebeck, New York. Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky are to be married July 31in Rhinebeck. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

Chelsea Clinton Snapshots

"Chelsea is insisting that no one be given the location yet, all guests know is it is within driving distance of NYC."

As you'd expect, Chelsea's soon-to-be father-in-law is among those keeping their lips sealed on just about every aspect of the nuptials. Ed Mezvinskiy tells Inside Edition he's a "proud papa," but when asked to spill some beans he said: "The guidelines are we don't talk about the wedding, we just enjoy each other."

This won't be the first celebrity (or political for that matter) wedding shrouded in secrecy. John F. Kennedy, Jr., son of the 35th president, kept guests guessing to the very end in 1996, while Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were so secretive about their 'I do's' in 2004 that their guests thought they were arriving for a backyard BBQ instead of a wedding. And most famously, Beyonce and Jay Z were so concerned about leaks, they didn't trust caterers and cooked most of the food themselves. Still, most Rhineback residents think they know what is cooking right in their backyard.

Jeffrey Gardere, psychologist and host of VH1's 'Dad Camp,' tells me, "I would have to say that President Clinton is so used to being the center of attention it is possible that it may be hard for him to share the spotlight. He needs to take a deep breath, step back and realize that the spotlight should be on Chelsea. He should be content in knowing that whatever publicity Chelsea receives only benefits he and his family. This is evidenced by the way that he supported Hillary for President and then for Secretary of State."

Matt Titus, author of 'Why Hasn't He Called,' and founder of AskMattandTamsen.com, is a little more harsh, telling me, "Bill's involvement in his daughter's wedding has nothing to do with him being a dad, but everything to do with him being a world-class narcissist. It's always about Bill."

Ouch, however Matt does have advice for the former commander-in-chief, "The intention of most fathers of the bride on their daughter's wedding day is to celebrate the fact that his little girl has found true love. Bill's only job that day is to beam with pride as he walks Chelsea down the aisle and, of course, pay the bill."

Over the weekend, Chelsea was seen paying a visit to Vera Wang with her mother (who will be wearing Oscar de la Renta!). So now that the location, guest list, flowers and dress are all in place, all Chelsea has to worry about is her father remembering it's her special day, not his.

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Tags: Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton

Comments

(30)

Thursday 29 July

By MAGOOS

Vote down Vote up Report this

Bill Clinton occupied the office of President for two terms, leaving a healthy economy and a stable nation. He is admired worldwide. He and Hillary did a superb job raising a bright, well adjusted daughter who I am sure, is aware of her father's charisma. I have witnessed Clinton's charisma when he walks into a room filled with people; he does not need to open his mouth and he is the center of attention. I am sure he will keep a low profile at his daughter's wedding; hopefully all the guests will remember whose day it is as well and refrain from illuminating the former President. BTW, Hillary will be there and she is by no means chopped liver!

By mw

Bill, just walk her down the aisle and let her enjoy her day, but 3 million dollars for a wedding? Crazy

By Kat

Maybe if the news media would respect Chelsea's privacy and desire to have a nice wedding......that would be good too.

By Pete Aiello

Secret location? I think not ! Everyone knows it's the Astor mansion in Rhinebeck, N.Y. !

By Jason

Didn't Hillary ask the public to pay her campaign bill a year ago?

By Mingo

Gee Bill were you not use to dealing with her mom?

By rob shuter

have a wonderful day Chelsea....hope your dad remembers its YOUR day

Friday 30 July

By bigmoma

I FIND IT ODDDDDDDDDD!!! THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WASN'T INVITED. AS ARSENIO HALL USE TO SAY "THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMMM"

By Cathy

She is their only child so I can understand her parents wanting to make sure her day is special. Ultimately it is Chelsea's wedding and she should have the day that she and her fiance want.

Monday 02 August

By Murphy

Congratulations--y'coulda spent 500K and given the rest for scholarships or the Chelsea Wedding Grant for college couples in love and who can't afford tuition much less any kind of wedding.
What a waste, next...
PS get bill's ugly mug outta the pictures, finally--bill, just please--go away.

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