Chelsea Clinton's Vera Wang Confection

Photos by Genevieve de Manio via Getty Images

It feels almost impossible not to acknowledge one of the most highly anticipated events of the summer -- the wedding of Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky, which took place last evening at Astor Courts in Rhinebeck, New York. 

The bride chose a frothy, confection of a gown by Vera Wang, featuring "a diagonally draped bodice, ballgown skirt made out of raw edged laser-cut swirling silk organza, and a train in silk tulle." A crystal-encrusted belt, also by Vera Wang, defined the waist. Jewelry was kept simple with understated earrings and a bracelet. A long tulle veil and simple bouquet of white flowers completed the classic bridal look.

Various news sources reported Chelsea Clinton visiting both Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta earlier this week. The latter, it seems, was for the radiant mother-of-the-bride, who wore a wine colored Oscar de la Renta gown for the wedding.

Congratulations to the newlyweds!

P.S. Check out WWD's piece "Chelsea Clinton's Moment", which includes more detail on the dress and bridal accoutrements. Look to the far right in the photo below to see a bit more of Hillary Clinton's Oscar de la Renta gown.

What Laura B. Wore

 White House photo by Susan Sterner; Design by Oscar de la Renta

We have to credit The Daily Beast and editor Hailey Eber for having good foresight into the inaugural gown mania. Just days after the election, and a good month before the WWD sketches appeared, The Daily Beast debuted the results of "The Ball Gown Challenge". They had briefed former Project Runway contestants to design an inaugural gown that was "at once stylish, patriotic and appropriately thrifty for the recession" using only Laura Bush’s 2005 Inaugural Ball dress, an American flag, burlap sacks and $10 worth of trim.

We must admit, the first question we had to ask was: What did Laura Bush wear to the 2005 Inaugural Ball? Though surely we had seen the gown before, it had failed to leave a strong impression. After some thoughtful examination, we find that Mrs. Bush's 2005 gown certainly does merit a second look. The silver and blue embroidered tulle sparkler of a dress was far from forgettable. A custom Oscar de la Renta creation, made especially to suit her style, Mrs. Bush's gown radiated a winter mood, with the shimmer of just fallen snow. It was elegant, timeless and perfect for her (and perhaps taking a leap, we get the distinct sense that she felt beautiful wearing it). Without question, it was an exciting departure from the more expected and safe patriotic red Chantilly lace and satin gown by Dallas designer Michael Faircloth, worn for the 2001 Inaugural Ball. 

Also exceptional was Mrs. Bush's ensemble for the 2005 Inaugural Parade. Again wearing Oscar de la Renta, her winter white cashmere embroidered coat (and matching boucle dress) instantly popped against the sea of dark overcoats. In a glowing review of Mrs. Bush's inaugural wardrobe, Robin Givhan of the Washington Post said Mrs. Bush's choice of winter white suggested "a certain chic understanding that restraint can be the most powerful form of expression" - an eloqeunt assessment that may well hold true for Mrs. O come January 20, 2009.