Henry Hager: Abt. 1978. Henry's family is from Virginia.
Jenna: "It's supposedly where the sun first hits the United States ... I did not want to go hiking at 4 in the morning ... It was freezing. But we got up, and we hiked in the dark for an hour and a half, and then when we got towards the top, with the sunrise, he asked me."The engagement of Henry Hager and Jenna Bush was announced by the White House on August 16, 2007.
Source: "Jenna Bush: Marriage proposal came at sunrise." Cnn.com. 9/27/2007.
On 5/9/08 a bridal luncheon was held in Salado, Texas at the Inn on the Creek followed later by a rehearsal dinner hosted by Henry's parents. The dinner for 100 was held at the Old Salado Springs Celebration Center in Salado.
A beige-colored limestone altar from the local quarry was designed for the wedding.
The officiant at the lakeside evening ceremony was Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell of Houston's Windsor Village United Methodist Church.
About 200 guests were invited to the private wedding.
Jenna's ring is from Henry's maternal great grandmother. It has a round diamond that is flanked by sapphires. Jenna's sheer organza wedding dress, embroidered with matte beading, was designed by Oscar de la Renta.
John wore a dark blue suit and powder-blue tie.
Jenna's father, President George Bush, escorted Jenna down the aisle.
Jenna's twin sister Barbara was the maid of honor and Henry's brother John "Jack" Hager was the best man. Barbara wore a long moonstone blue dress with a silver sash and low-cut back.
The bride's mother, First Lady Laura Bush wore a deep turquoise colored dress.
Jenna and Henry asked designer, Lela Rose to create the knee-length dresses for Jenna's 14 attendants. The colors were chosen to "mirror the "very natural" colors of the central Texas landscape: the blues of the lake where Bush fishes for bass, the greens of Mrs. Bush's prized buffalo grass (native grass that she restored to the property) and the lavendar, yellow and blue of the wildflowers."
Source: Source: Sandra Sobieraj Westfall and Anne Lang. "Jenna Bush & Henry Hager Wed in Texas."People.com. 5/10/08.
More information about the wedding attire.
The reception dinner and dancing were held in a tent erected for the occasion. The Father-daughter dance was to "You Are So Beautiful" and Jenna and Henry chose "Loving' in My Baby's Eyes" for their first dance. Music was provided by Tyrone Smith aka Super T.
Henry: Henry is a former aide to Karl Rove and worked on Bush's re-election campaign. Currently attending the University of Virginia for a master's degree in business administration, Henry comes from a political family. "His father is chairman of the Republican Party in Virginia, former assistant secretary of the Education Department’s office of special education, former lieutenant governor of Virginia and former director of Virginia’s Office of Commonwealth Preparedness."
Source: LaTimes.com
Source: Jeffrey Slonim, Sandra Sobieraj. "Jenna Hager: Key to Marriage is Being Supportive." People.com. 7/24/2009.
President Bush: "Our little girl, Jenna, married a really good guy ... The wedding was spectacular. It's just -- it's all we could have hoped for. The weather cooperated nicely; just as the vows were exchanged the sun set over our lake and it was just a special day and a wonderful day and we're mighty blessed."
Source: Sandra Sobieraj Westfall, Darla Atlas and Anne Lang. "President Bush: An 'Awfully Special' Wedding Weekend." People.com. 5/10/08.
Jenna describing Henry: [Jenna] "described Hager as "smart," a "hard worker," "open-minded," "fun" and "very supportive."
Source: "Jenna Bush: Marriage proposal came at sunrise." Cnn.com. 9/27/2007.
