Jenna Bush and Henry Hager Wedding

Crawford, Texas
May 10, 2008

Two hundred guests gathered at the Bush family’s secluded 1,600-acre ranch in Crawford, Texas for the wedding of Jenna Bush and Henry Hager. The bride chose the family’s Prairie Chapel Ranch for the vows, saying she wanted a natural setting to match her unglamorous personality.

The 5:30 p.m. ceremony began as Jenna and her father walked down the aisle to “Trumpet Voluntary,” played by a San Antonio mariachi band. She wore an Oscar De La Renta gown embroidered with matte beading, structured sheer organza and a small train. Her jewelry was made by Anthony Nak and included quartz and diamond earrings she helped design.

Jenna had 14 bridesmaids, including her twin sister, Barbara Bush. Barbara served as maid of honor and wore a moonstone blue dress with a silver sash and low-cut back by Lela Rose. Rose designed the attendant dresses in seven styles and seven colors, including greens, blues, yellows and lavender to match the Texas wildflowers in the distance.

Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell of Houston’s Windsor Village United Methodist Church officiated the traditional service, and the bride’s grandparents, former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, took turns reading from Corinthians. The couple recited tearful vows in front of a lakeside altar made from limestone from a local quarry.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held in a nearby tent erected next to the lake. Luminarias lit the paths, and lights filled the trees surrounding the ranch. One side of the tent was left open so guests could enjoy the waterfront view. Tables were set with alternating arrangements featuring green and blue hydrangeas, white Bianca roses, white and lavender campanulas, and blue delphiniums.

Dinner was catered by Jackson and Co. and included appetizers of shrimp Mexicali, spinach and goat cheese quesadillas and fried Gulf oyster tostadas with blue tortilla chips. The main course featured a molded Gulf crab parfait, Rio Grande flat iron steak with roja sauce, potato and poblano gratinee, sauteed fresh spinach with pine nuts and golden raisins and Jackson and Co.’s signature monkey bread.

For dessert, guests enjoyed a tres leches wedding cake by Ultimate Cheesecake Bakery. The sponge cake layers were soaked with three different milks and topped with whipped cream icing. The groom also enjoyed a rich chocolate groom’s cake prepared by a longtime friend of the family.

The couple shared their first dance to “Lovin in My Baby’s Eyes” by Taj Mahal, followed by a father-daughter dance to “You Are So Beautiful.” Later in the evening, guests danced to music provided by Tyrone “Super T” Smith.

The couple honeymooned at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay.

Jerry O’Connell and Rebecca Romijn in Romantic Wedding

Calabasas, California
July 14, 2007

Jerry O’Connell and Rebecca Romijn were married at their Calabasas, California ranch at 5 p.m. on July 14, 2007. A hundred close friends and family members including Fergie, Josh Duhamel, Vanessa Williams and Angie Harmon were invited to the surprise wedding, which the couple had originally referred to as a “special barbecue.”

Jerry O’Connell and Rebecca Romijn in Romantic Wedding

Guests were greeted with glasses of lemonade and were then seated on hay bales covered with vintage quilts, set up in a semi circle around a big tree. As the wedding began, a gospel choir sang Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is,” as they walked in a line from inside the house to where the groom stood waiting. Lyric sheets were passed around, so guests could sing along. Rebecca chose the song for its sentiment.

The bride walked down the aisle in a beaded lace Ralph Lauren gown, paired with Sergio Rossi heels and chandelier diamond earrings by Neil Lane. Her hair was pinned back with two white roses, and she clutched a bouquet of white roses, geraniums, field flowers and steel grass created by Clifford Miller of TFS Studio. The bouquet was wrapped in gingham fabric and vintage grosgrain ribbon, giving it a country feel. O’Connell wore a blue-gray suit and sneakers.

A female officiant conducted the ceremony, and at the conclusion, the choir sang “Let the Sunshine In.” The newlyweds skipped up the aisle followed by their two dogs, Taco and Better, who were wearing black bow ties.

After the ceremony, guests found their place cards hanging on clothes pins. They were also asked to paint pieces of wood with their names and wishes for the couple. The wedding, which was planned by Heidi Asimus of Red 25 Events. The ranch was decorated in a country-western theme, with lanterns, field flowers and wagon wheels.

The reception was held in the garden. Picnic tables were set up with place settings of old china and vintage dish towels. Centerpieces were rustic pitchers filled with white ranunculus and fresh field blossoms.

Savore Cuisine catered a dinner that included blue crab salad and lavender-grilled prime beef tenderloin. For dessert, the couple opted for apple and red velvet cupcakes rather than a traditional wedding cake.

During the reception, Jerry sang two songs for Rebecca including “Save the Best for Last,” on which he was joined by Vanessa Williams. When the sun went down, guests celebrated with sparklers and danced to music by DJ Dave Meek. For those with tired feet, the couple provided brightly colored flip-flops.

The newlyweds honeymooned at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, where they enjoyed spa treatments and long walks around the property.