Bill Clinton to Take Old-Fashioned Role in Chelsea's Wedding

February 22, 2010

When it comes to his daughter's wedding planning, former president Bill Clinton knows Hillary is the commander in chief. Chelsea got engaged last November, and since then she and her mother have been taking care of the planning details according to Bill. But, Mr. Clinton does have an important role. He told Ryan Seacrest (really) this morning:

"I'm just supposed to walk her down the aisle and pay the bills."

Sounds like Chelsea's sticking to at least one tradition: the bride's family pays the bill. If you're married, did you follow the same guideline? If you're not married, what do you make of it?

Source: Getty

18 Comments

misskimberly 3 years

I don't understand the appeals of weddings or anything they entail - it seems so wasteful to me. The entire experience is so cheesy and for me the money is better spent in other ways. If I ever did get married I'd do something cheap in Vegas, and put the money I saved into a savings account!

attorneymarina 3 years

I think if parents really want to help out, that is fine. But once someone is paying for something, they usually want a say in decisions. I think--from my experience with friends and family--the decisions of the marrying parties are compromised when their families foot the bill. Maybe for Chelsea Clinton this won't really matter, but for a lot of people I think you give away some of your control when you have someone else pay. That being said, my fiance and I don't have families that believe in paying for weddings. Which is fine with me, because I think marriages should be paid for by the parties. :D

claretherese 3 years

In today's society, BOTH sides should help out. Weddings are getting so expensive. Plus, in the olden days, women didn't work. So, the wedding was a dowry of sorts. Now, both people work....so both families should help pay! Who Killed Romeo?

boredgourdless 3 years

My parents covered most of the wedding; though I paid for my dress, the photographer, the alcohol, and travel costs (we live overseas). My husband's family was flying in from Europe, so they had a large enough expense to cover just showing up. I loved our wedding, even though at times I felt that a lot was out of my control because of the parents covering the majority of costs.

Pistil 3 years

It's a lot of hassle for one day, isn't it Yoga?I have no plans for a wedding in the near future. Maybe not at all, but I believe my partner and I will probably foot most of the bill. I certainly wouldn't expect one side to pay for everything.

Pistil 3 years

It's a lot of hassle for one day, isn't it Yoga? I have no plans for a wedding in the near future. Maybe not at all, but I believe my partner and I will probably foot most of the bill. I certainly wouldn't expect one side to pay for everything.

Yogaforlife 3 years

My husband and I paid for our own wedding. My parents taught me early on that their money is their money and don't expect any help from them. My husband's parents were offended that my parents were not playing the traditional role in paying for our wedding and so they decided to not help out either, to get back at my parents. So we had a very cheap wedding since we were fresh out of college with no savings. To think, my wedding dress from David's Bridal cost more than we received as gifts, and I had a 100 guests at the damn thing. We had people who didn't even give us a card saying congratulations. Ugh, I really hate thinking about my wedding - we should have eloped on the beach.

xxstardust 3 years

My parents have told me that they want to give me $10,000. I can use it towards the wedding or for a house, but they want to do that for me because they couldn't afford to help me with a college degree. My mom also wants to buy my wedding dress .. but since my uncle is a partner for a large bridalwear/formalwear company, we get gowns at cost. My prom dress (sold in stores for around $900) cost me $72. At least my bridesmaids will get off easy! ;]

xxstardust 3 years

Kimpossible 3 years

We paid for our own wedding.

Kimpossible 3 years

We paid for our own wedding.

reesiecup 3 years

If my boyfriend and I ever tie the knot, we agreed to split the cost between us. Our parents can contribute whatever they'd like towards a down-payment on a house or something.

CaterpillarGirl 3 years

Psst Chels make sure you confenscate the bridesmaid dresses afterwards, wouldnt want anyone to keep them as evidence.

suziryder 3 years

We did the traditional thing. My dad paid for our wedding. But my husband and I did a lot of DIY stuff like making our own invitations - all of the wedding stationary, actually - and I made things like the baskets for the programs and the tissue paper flowers that went on all the napkins at the reception. So that helped cut costs a bit. And my in-laws paid for my bouquet, the groomsmen's boutonneires, and whatever else the in-laws are "supposed" to pay for in terms of flowers.

imLissy 3 years

my parents paid for the majority of our wedding. Their decision. My mom never got her big wedding, so she enjoyed living vicariously.

mamasitamalita 3 years

he cracks me up, I bet Chelsea's wedding is going to be lovely

TheEnchantedOne 3 years

Growing up, I always found it funny that in the western culture, the family of the bride pays for the wedding. In our culture, the family of the groom takes care of the expenses. Or both. But that's rarely the occasion. It's like an indication of the groom's capability to take care of his wife and their future family. Sort of like showing to the bride's family that, "Hey, I can take care of her. That's part of the reason why I'm taking her away from you." I know it's kind of sexist, but it has always been that way.

starbucks 3 years

We will pay for our wedding. We're adults, we pay our own bills.

Link Love

18 Comments