Texas Prepares for Jenna Bush Wedding
The big day is set for Saturday in Crawford, Texas.
May 8, 2008 — -- Florists and caterers may be interrupting President Bush's 7 a.m. policy briefings as he heads to Texas for his daughter's wedding.
On Saturday, first daughter Jenna Bush is set to wed Virginia native Henry Hager in Crawford, Texas, at the 1,600-acre Bush family ranch.
The weekend is filled with events -- a rehearsal dinner Friday and a barbecue lunch in addition to a wedding ceremony and reception Saturday. More than 200 friends and family are expected to attend festivities at the ranch, which sits 20 miles from major hotel chains and restaurants.
The first daughter opted out of a White House wedding but isn't alone in her decision. Only nine out of 22 presidential children who have been married chose the White House as their setting. Much like her niece, Dorothy Bush chose a private ceremony at Camp David. That wedding was so secret the press found out about it only after it happened.
Although the White House is tight-lipped about Jenna's private affair, word has leaked out about her big day.
The bride told Vogue Magazine recently that her Oscar de la Renta dress made of sheer organza with embroidery matte beading is "simple and elegant."
In lieu of bridesmaids, Jenna is sticking with Texas tradition by choosing 14 attendants to serve as members of the "House Party." The attendants will be dressed by Texas fashion designer Lela Rose.
"The color choice for the attendants' dresses are really taken from native Texas wildflowers," Rose told ABC News. "So you can really see the influence of what growing up in Texas and having those wildflowers every spring has done for the wedding."
Twin sister Barbara, the maid of honor, will also be dressed in designs by Rose but her dress will be different than the 14 attendants.
Describing the twin's floor-length dress, Rose explained, "We picked a beautiful fabric that we hand-dyed this new gem-based color, which is very complimentary to her eyes."
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