Jenna Bush Ties The Knot At Daddy's Ranch

The Father Of The Bride Danced With Jenna To The Tune Of "You Are So Beautiful To Me"

(AP)  Jenna Bush couldn't see herself getting married at the White House surrounded by antique furniture and oil portraits of presidents. She and Henry Hager said "I do" Saturday at President George W. Bush's ranch in Crawford where the corn is thigh-high, roads are named Cattle Drive and the Texas flag is painted on the rooftops of barns.

The president and the bride picked "You Are So Beautiful" for their father-daughter dance, according to band leader Tyrone Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. Smith and his 10-piece party band, The Tyrone Smith Revue, was asked to do "Lovin' in My Baby's Eyes" by Taj Mahal for the newlyweds' first dance. Smith, who promised the couple a "get down" party, talked to The Associated Press earlier in the week on condition that the information not be released before the wedding.

Smith, who witnessed the wedding ceremony, said afterward the groom was dressed in a dark blue suit with powder-blue tie and the bride wore a "very simple and elegant" white dress, but did not wear a veil.

Smith said Jenna Bush's paternal grandparents, President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, spoke during the wedding, though he could not hear their comments.

Away from the glare of television cameras that have beamed other first family weddings into American living rooms, Jenna's outdoor wedding at the ranch reflected her family's penchant for privacy and her preference for the casual over grandiose.

Even without the prying eyes of strangers, Jenna's marriage to her longtime boyfriend Henry Hager made presidential history. It will be remembered as an upbeat moment of Bush's two-term presidency beset by terrorism, war and the nation's current limp economy.

"This is a joyous occasion for our family, as we celebrate the happy life ahead of her and her husband, Henry," Bush said in his Saturday radio address. "It's also a special time for Laura who this Mother's Day weekend will watch a young woman we raised together walk down the aisle."

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Pictures From The Bush-Hager Wedding

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Jenna, 26, is the 22nd child of a president to get married while their father was in the Oval Office. Their ceremonies have ranged from Tricia Nixon's extravagant wedding broadcast live from the Rose Garden in 1971 to the 1992 Camp David wedding of Jenna's aunt, Dorothy Koch. That one was kept so secret that the press didn't find out about it until it was over.

"All of them are different. This one really reflects the personality of both Jenna and the George W. Bush family," said Doug Wead, a former aide to President George H.W. Bush and author of a book on presidents' kin.

"If they'd have gone on TV, the wedding would have been shown all over the world and Jenna Bush would have been an international celebrity - and she would have been a target. They're preparing the transition to private life and they're not particularly interested in seeing Jenna Bush become a huge celebrity."

The media was not invited, but Jenna's wedding will be closely scrutinized - down to the matte beading and embroidery on her white Oscar de la Renta gown.

"The wedding details will be reported on for generations, influencing both present-day and future brides-to-be," says Millie Martin Bratten, editor-in-chief of BRIDES magazine and student of first family weddings.

Jenna's twin sister, Barbara, was maid of honor and 14 other women were in her "house party." Barbara Bush wore a long, moonstone blue dress with a low-cut back. The women in the "house party" were clad in seven different styles of knee-length dresses in seven different colors that match the palette of Texas wildflowers - blues, greens, lavenders and pinky reds.

The best man was the groom's brother, John "Jack" Hager. Also part of the "house party" were 14 ushers, who walked with the 14 women down the aisle to their seats, but did not participate in the ceremony.

More than 200 family and friends converged here for the nuptials on the 1,600-acre (648-hectare) ranch where a tent was erected for the post-ceremony dinner and dancing.

The ceremony began about a half hour or so before sunset. The couple stood at a cross, made of beige colored Texas limestone, that was erected near the ranch's man-made lake. The cross and altar, made of the same stone used to construct the Bush's ranch house, will be a landmark at the ranch for years to come. The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell of Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston officiated.

Festivities began Friday with a bridal lunch, rehearsal dinner and post-rehearsal dinner celebration in Salado, a tiny tourist village, which used to be a stagecoach stop. Jenna, her sister and the first lady were in Salado, more than an hour's drive south of Crawford, all day Friday and the president arrived in the evening by motorcade.

The rehearsal dinner for about 100 people was hosted by the parents of the groom, who turned 30 on Friday. Hager's father, John Hager, is the chairman of the Virginia Republican Party and is former lieutenant governor of Virginia and former U.S. assistant secretary of education.

The rehearsal dinner crowd, including the president, then walked down a street in Salado with the Belton High School Marching Band from Belton, Texas, to a "Texas-sized celebration" at another establishment. All the wedding guests were invited to this event. They were entertained by the five-member Duke Merrick Band from Charlottesville, Virginia, which performed classic Texas songs and original pieces by Merrick, a relative of the Hager family.

The groom's family also hosted a barbecue lunch Saturday in Salado ahead of the wedding.

Henry Hager met Jenna during her father's 2004 re-election campaign. He graduated from Wake Forest University and worked as an aide to Bush's former top political adviser Karl Rove. He is set to receive a master's degree in business administration later this month from the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business.

Between February 2005 and January 2006, he was an economic policy aide in the office of Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and regularly briefed the secretary on economic data. "He was widely regarded as a super star," said Ann Marie Hauser, press secretary at Commerce.

After the wedding, the couple is rumored to be honeymooning in Europe, although the White House would not comment. After that, they plan to live in a two-bedroom, two-bath town house on the south side of Baltimore, Maryland. She plans to return to teaching and he will work for Constellation Energy, a power supplier based in Maryland.

This was a big doing for Crawford, home to about 700 central Texans. They likely will not get a glimpse of the bride and groom, but the couple's photo is plastered across coffee mugs, mouse pads, key rings and other Western White House trinkets for sale at a few stores along the main drag.

A rusty, metal sculpture of an angel, a gift to Crawford after Bush's re-election, is adorned with a veil and a bouquet of white flowers for the occasion. The sign at the Coffee Station in Crawford, where Jenna orders fried jalapenos, says "Congrats Jenna and Henry." The Peace House, home away from home for anti-war protesters when they're in Crawford, set up a red sign that says "Peace to the Newlyweds."

The Peace House group decided against protesting on the wedding day, but about a dozen members of an anti-gay group out of Topeka, Kansas, demonstrated on a road leading to the ranch.

[blackyowe]

They do make a very attractive couple even though the Bush genes are not my favorite DNA in the gene pool.

[ubrew12]

Congrats to the bride and groom.

Article: ''The Peace House group decided against protesting on the wedding day, but about a dozen members of an anti-gay group out of Topeka, Kansas, demonstrated on a road leading to the ranch''

Hope the Prez recognizes who the real nutcases in America are...

I had to add:
"Hear the sound of the falling rain
Coming down like an Armageddon flame (Hey!)
The shame, the ones who died without a name

Hear the dogs howling out of key
To a hymn called Faith and Misery (Hey!)
And bleed, the company lost the war today

I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies
This is the dawning of the rest of our lives
On holiday"

Green Day

[michellem99-2009]

They dressed nice.
Daddy walked her down
To groom to be
They said their I dos
They tooks their vows
Became Mr. and Ms.
Daddy threw a party
Was the music right
For a wedding and afterwards.
I can''t say.
The times they change.
Beat wishs

[marcosis78]

haha

[rebelscout]

I hope their marriage goes as well as W''s term! You live by the sword......

[rebelscout]

Come on Jenna, SIGN UP AND FIGHT THE TERRORISTS YOU COWARD!!! Take your wussy hubby with you to the front lines!!!!

[rebelscout]

No wonder W didnt want cameras there. With peopele dying in his BS war it''s hard to celebrate in front of the people you have sent to die!!

[gce65]

The Father Of The Bride Danced With Jenna To The Tune Of "You Are So Beautiful To Me"?????

Was this before or after God sent 50 mph winds and golfball sized hail to the ranch to disrupt the hitching together of these GOP spawn?

[brianp55]

Oh, Great...now the genes will be disseminated.

[moneymcbush]

A more appropriate headline would be:
"Daughter of War Criminal Weds at Crawford Compound"

If John Sydney McCain III gets elected, these two can send their kids to die in his 100 years war. Grandkids too.
Or they can just go fight in Daddy''s war right now.

[samrensho]

I hope they''ve both been sterilized so as not to spawn any more GOP scum.

[veteran72]

There was a young Soldier that had a wedding planned for today. Unfortunately for him, he was killed in Iraq. I wonder if they proposed a toast or a moment of silence for him and all the other KIA and Wounded in Daddy''s Illegal War Crime for Profit???.....probably not.....

[jerr11]

A match cursed in hell.

[wardoglrs]

Hard to fly like an Eagle with all these scavengers

[sgtrds]

100 years from now their great grandchildren will still be spending the money soaked in and dripping with the blood of our soldiers who died in her daddy''s war for profit and greed in Iraq.

[johnshaft4]

She should have tied her tubes instead. She is carrying that jerks DNA.

[aggiekat2004]

Whether you like King Shrub or not...his daughter seems to be a decent person...why can''t you guys drop the anti-war, anti-george rhetoric and allow them to enjoy the happiness of the moment.

Shame on you!

[pfd572]

SGT may not have said very PC, but the fact is Jenna''s father is responsible for the deaths of 4000 plus young Americans. And this war is making his friends and other''s to hold us in contempt very, very rich. And there is no way bush/cheney aren''t going to get some of those riches, too. Jenna seems a nice, but very naive and sheltered, little girl. I hope she is very happy and has a wonderful, successful marriage. I just think it would be difficult to celebrate anything in that family as long as Bush the Younger ignores the horror he has created.

[pfd572]

And, btw, sgt isn''t the only one expressing their horror that this family can celebrate anything with so many other young people losing their chances to marry and grow old.

[sgtrds]

I hope she is very happy and has a wonderful, successful marriage. I just think it would be difficult to celebrate anything in that family as long as Bush the Younger ignores the horror he has created.

Posted by pfd572 at 03:39 AM : May 11, 2008

I hope she someday comes to realize that she is the spawn of hell and turns on her father for the murders and war crimes he has committed. I hope she comes to a place where she hates him forever.

[harrydoghiny]

Ten bucks says it''s over within the year. Any takers?

[pfd572]

I wonder how many of their weddings presents were paid for with some of the billions in blood money her father''s war profiteer friends have made?

[pfd572]

It just shows the contempt this family and their friends have for the American people. That they can gloat over their happiness and family when so many parents and young people hoping to be married have lost their loved ones in the bush/cheney war is a slap in so many faces.

[stn_sage]

Jenna Bush is a child of ''privilege''! I don''t believe she''s any more beautiful than the typical girls/women in my hometown and her success is attributable to her family''s name!

Many posters have rightfully pointed out that she''s profited by her father''s misdeeds---as part of that family. So their negative feelings regarding her are understandable.

I think it''s also true---from her perspective---that she wanted a more modest wedding---probably for some of the reasons suggested here by posters---and, had just THAT!

I sincerely hope that she HAD a nice wedding---in spite of who she is. But, I also hope---in the months and years to come---that a recognition of the problems her father has caused,''sink in''---and, she takes meaningful actions to help others and improve America, that has been ever so good to her and the Bush family! I know this isn''t likely, but miracles happen sometimes, correct?!

[pfd572]

I am happy for any young person who is getting married and I sincerely hope they have a good, long marriage. I am also grateful SHE chose to have a low-key wedding. It her father and his gloating that upsets me. I understand a father''s love and pride, but how many father''s are suffering because of bush''s choices?

[excoachken]

Jenna Bush is, sadly, a typical narcissistic individual, who, because of her family''s ill-gotten wealth, is celebrated nationawide this way, instead of the way we celebrate Pat Tillman. Her father will have to pay, another day, for the unGodly pain and suffering he has caused. I wish her no ill will, but don''t expect me to be "happy" for her either. I do hope that her and her entire generation of insulated, over indulged peers, someday realize the sacrifice of the poor, who, because of the economic problems created by the Cowardly Cowboy, could not find a decent job and HAD to join the "Volunteer" military, only to suffer the pain the afflicts our veterans of their age.

[jb01201a]

Well lookie here:
Jenna Bush is, sadly, a typical narcissistic individual, who, because of her family''''s ill-gotten wealth, is celebrated nationawide this way, instead of the way we celebrate Pat Tillman. Her father will have to pay, another day, for the unGodly pain and suffering he has caused. I wish her no ill will, but don''''t expect me to be "happy" for her either. I do hope that her and her entire generation of insulated, over indulged peers, someday realize the sacrifice of the poor, who, because of the economic problems created by the Cowardly Cowboy, could not find a decent job and HAD to join the "Volunteer" military, only to suffer the pain the afflicts our veterans of their age.
I am happy for any young person who is getting married and I sincerely hope they have a good, long marriage. I am also grateful SHE chose to have a low-key wedding. It her father and his gloating that upsets me. I understand a father''''s love and pride, but how many father''''s are suffering because of bush''''s choices?
It is amazing how ill-informed you moronic libs are. It is incredible how you hate a president but not suprising. Don''t worry Lib schmucks - you and your messiah (Barack Obama) will bring you back to the promised land and then my paycheck will be about 5 percent take-home-pay. You are mean. Thanks Goodness, I will never be like you. Congrads Jenna and her wonderful family.

[pfd572]

jb: how ill informed we are? That has to be one of the funniest and saddest statements at the same time. Its public record that we have the largest deficit in history (after he inherited one of the biggest surpluses in history), millions are losing their homes, we are in a recession, gas is $4 a gallon, we have lost our honor, 4,000 plus young Americans are dead and thousands injured, all while the VA is lying and not providing adequate care, companies with large military contracts are breaking the law or using loopholes to move offshore to avoid paying taxes or benefits, barracks are unfit for humans, FEMA is a failure, staffers breaking the law and refusing to honor Congressional subpoenas...the list is endless. Your paycheck buys a lot less then it did 8 years ago, and we are taxed more, with bigger tax breaks for the richest, then ever. So tell me, how uninformed I am and how great things are under bush/cheney. Yes, I am a liberal, and extremely proud of it. Liberals are the conscience and humanity of the American people. As opposed to you, who only cares about yourself and refuses to learn or question anything. I am eternally greatful that I will never think and believe as you do.

[pfd572]

The only positive thing about your ignorance and selfishness is that you are in the minority. 71% of the American people disagree with you. Thank God.

[nuffera]

A pox on the whole Bush family! These two spawns should be shipped directly to Iraq! There are over 4,000 of our men and women who will never see their weddings, children, etc. they are dead!!! Sent to be murdered by Jenna''s father!!!

[jb01201a]

Hey pfd572 lib schmuck - Amen to what you said - ohn no you said the following "Thank God." Did you go to the nearest lawyer and see if you can sue someone for saying "God." Thats a terrible word. Ek ! I will never be like you, u put down people just to make U feel better. You are a fool !

[pfd572]

jb: My, how short your memory is. Re-read you own post and then feel the hurt when you have to remember you started with the put-downs first. And Liberal doesn''t mean everything you tend to believe it means. How fortunate for you, that Liberals have made it possible for you to say whatever you want to say. And stopped people like you from forcing your beliefs on others. You can thank us later.

[stn_sage]

jb: how ill informed we are? That has to be one of the funniest and saddest statements at the same time. Its public record that ...

Posted by pfd572 at 06:11 AM : May 11, 2008
------------------------------------------------
My response: I''m not jb01201a, but I''d say your well-informed! And, you made your point. But, the truth hurts, and a lot of GOP supporters can''t admit it to themselves---little alone someone else---how much GB has messed up! They don''t like being reminded of it!

[olebd]

And just think, the sheeple may someday elect this young man as our president. Just because of who he is tied to and because he can afford it!

HAGER 2016??????????????

"What''s that? Gas is $12 per gallon? Huh, I wasn''t aware of that."

[bobnjersey]

[Don''''t worry Lib schmucks - you and your messiah (Barack Obama) will bring you back to the promised land and then my paycheck will be about 5 percent take-home-pay. ]
[Posted by jb01201a at 05:51 AM : May 11, 2008]

can you explain exactly how this 5% take home will come about?

[sleepyric]

yeah,,,he''s a real nice young man....worked for Karl Rove....lots of luck...!

[ranger1948]

As much as i dislike bush i don''t think we should blame his children for his sins.

[ranger1948]

harrydoghiny
That will depend on who gets elected.

[ranger1948]

Gas in Saudia Arabia is 12 cents a gallon and in Kuwait they are paying 40 cents a gallon. We saved Kuwaits ***, they owe us why aren''t we collecting ? Oh i remember there is a deal in place we have to buy gas thru the bushes empire.

[excoachken]

Once again, the Bush sheeple seem to think that everyone who has recognized what a failur the Cowardly Cowboy is, has to be a Liberal. I am a registered Independent, and proud of the fact that I recognized this fraud before the 2000 election. As for Jenna, she is the one who made the "talk show circuit" with her mum, bragging about "how much they''ve accomplished in 7+ years." If she is willing to be part of that lie, why should her "free and easy" lifestyle not be contrasted to that of the poor young people that her corrupt father has sent to their deaths in Iraq! And, I include even more "innocent" Iraqis in that group, as well.

[ranger1948]

exciachken
I hadn''t heard about her campaigning with her mother. I didn''t think her mother had even said anything. I would hav thought they would hacve been too ashamed of George to voice an opinion in public.

[ranger1948]

pfd572
I don''t know what label i would wear.I fought with the idea it was so all of us could have the right to an opinion and freedom of speech and to enjoy the American dream.

[ranger1948]

I too voted for bush both times. Now i really regret it but look at what the democratic party put up against him. I blame the parties fo not offering someone with integrity, and enough brains to lead this country. Al gore stood there for four years, never did anything besides have that deer in the headlights look.

[ranger1948]

hager2016
Think positive, if he hangs around with his fatherinlaw very much he may not be around to run for election .

[ranger1948]

I have to agree with sgtrfd on this one. Irf they are not part of the solution then they are part of the problem.

[aggiekat2004]

ranger1948, do you know that gas price for a fact?

My parents lived in Oman...a country that exports a lot of oil...and the price of gas was actually more than what we paid here in the states...nowhere near 12 cents a gallon.

[aggiekat2004]

ranger1948, do you know that gas price for a fact?

My parents lived in Oman...a country that exports a lot of oil...and the price of gas was actually more than what we paid here in the states...nowhere near 12 cents a gallon.

Here''s a list from 2005...notice countries like the Netherlands BACK THEN were paying over $6 a gallon.

[aggiekat2004]

ranger1948, do you know that gas price for a fact?

My parents lived in Oman...a country that exports a lot of oil...and the price of gas was actually more than what we paid here in the states...nowhere near 12 cents a gallon.

Here''s a list from 2005...notice countries like the Netherlands BACK THEN were paying over $6 a gallon.

[ranger1948]

aggiekat2004
I read an article on aol news the other day telling the price of gas in different countries and these are two that i remembered from the article.

[babooph]

A joyous wedding for the Bush bunch-the propaganda system behaving so well-no contrast to the thousands of funerals they gave much of the "non rich" peasants of the nation.