First Lady: Friday’s Storm Nearly Wrecked Saturday’s Wedding
First Lady: Friday’s Storm Nearly Wrecked Saturday’s Wedding Save Email Print
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(May 12, 2008)--First Lady Laura Bush said Monday the storms that spawned violent tornadoes over the weekend slammed into President Bush's Central Texas ranch and threatened to disrupt wedding plans for Jenna Bush and Henry Hager.

She says that while family members and the wedding party were in Salado at the rehearsal dinner, all the catering ovens were turned over and the sides were ripped off the tent erected for the reception after the wedding ceremony.

But she says that by Saturday night, you couldn't even tell there had been any damage.

About 200 invited guests attended the private outdoor wedding ceremony.

Mrs. Bush said Monday the ranch was beautiful and the wildflowers were blooming.

Meanwhile Monday, more details emerged about the Friday night events in Salado, which were planned under a cloak of secrecy so impenetrable that not even the owners of the businesses where the rehearsal dinner and party were held knew who the guests actually were until they arrived.

Arrangements were made under names other than Bush and Hager.

More than 40 students from Belton High School’s march band agreed to play at a mystery event Friday.

They didn’t find out until they’d turned over their cell phones and were about to board a bus that the mystery event was the rehearsal dinner.

The bride-to-be asked Belton High School Principal Kathy Cook through a mutual friend if the band would surprise her fiancé by playing “Happy Birthday.”

Friday was Hager’s 30th birthday.

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(White House photo by Shealah Craighead)
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Posted by: Anti- Bush Location: Waco on May 14, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I agree with you "ME", I was all for Bush until he tried to get that illegal Mexican out of prison for raping and murdering those two 15 year old girls! The wedding is over good luck, move on. There are more important stories that need commenting on. I'm through with this!
Posted by: Anita Location: Temple on May 14, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Thank you Fred for reminding some of these morons that President Bush "IS" still our president! I posted before that Jenna had the country wedding like the Texas girl she is and she was a beautiful bride! And the Belton Marching Band will have something exciting to remember for the rest of their lives. I hope if the ugly fools on here ever have a daughter marry, they just go to the JP!
Posted by: Fred Location: Waco on May 13, 2008 at 10:39 PM
To the person who calls themself "Me": The rights afforded by the First Ammendment of the US Constitution only extend so far. Do you recall ever learning that it is a federal crime to make death threats against the President of the United States of America? I am not saying that your comment is this type of threat, but I would venture to say that somebody who is responsible for the security of the President, yes the Secret Service, just might have already taken notice of your comment and is quite possibly keeping a watchful eye on you. And I for one, think they should. Free Speech -- Yes and I will defend your right to it everyday, but only within the confines of the law.
Posted by: clueless Location: Texas on May 13, 2008 at 09:53 PM
It was a nice wedding from what the pictures show and I wish the couple all the best. But, how is it supposed to be a private affair if every day there is more published about the wedding. Jenna wanted private, so why are we seeing more news stories every day? Let the couple enjoy their private moments.
Posted by: Me Location: Central Texas on May 13, 2008 at 09:35 PM
Too bad lightning didn't strike her illegal immigrant-loving neo-con father.
Posted by: anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 09:28 PM
I agree with Mary. You have a choice. If you don't want to read an article, don't click on it!
Posted by: Mary Location: Cove on May 13, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Oh, my, sounds like a lot of sour grapes. I was impressed with how quietly and discreetly the whole low-key affair was handled. You may hate Bush, but you can't fault a family for celebrating their daughter's wedding. And it isn't like they rubbed everybody's face in it. Even the establishments where the events were held were unaware of whose party they were hosting. If they had had a big ostentatious affair like other presidents have had for their daughters, they would probably be raked over for that, too. And those of you who have had enough... If I'm not mistaken, you have to click on this story to get it. If you don't want so see anymore, don't look.
Posted by: Rachel Location: Temple on May 13, 2008 at 07:44 PM
I am not jealous of Jenna Bush and if you look on her picture posts, I viewed them and said that she was beautiful and that I wish her a happy life. I just think that it is time to move on. I have no interest in Britany or Paris either. I wish to just hear about other matters that are important as well and there is only so many times that you can hash out every detail before it becomes cheap and degrading. I think that the couple deserves privacy and the rest of us need to move on. It is not Jenna and Henry who are the problem; it's the media. Spears might have a chance of doing something more positive with her life if she wasn't followed and hounded every second by the media.
Posted by: ginny Location: central texas on May 13, 2008 at 05:36 PM
lol ok so she got married and the storm almost ruined the wedding blame Mother Nature
Posted by: Prissy Sue on May 13, 2008 at 05:33 PM
Do all of you people have to be so negative and sticks in the mud? Just because you don't like Jenna's dad, does not mean you can't wish her good luck! No it is not earth shattering news and yes we can move on. But there was not a lot of noise about her wedding any way. Just think what it would have been if Chelsey Clinton got married now or when her dad was president. We would never hear the end of it. Just get over yourselves and MOVE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Kenny Location: Waco on May 13, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Let's hope the other daughter doesn't get married before he's out of office
Posted by: anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Sounds like Rachel and Jacken off are jealous! I thought the news and pictures of the wedding were a refreshing change from all the violence reported these days.
Posted by: anonymous2 Location: temple on May 13, 2008 at 01:40 PM
i guess rachel would rather hear nonstop "news" about britney or paris or some other "real" celebrity rather than someone who seems grounded and full of common sense.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 11:21 AM
who cares
Posted by: Jack Enoff Location: READING THE NEWS on May 13, 2008 at 09:57 AM
I am happy for them but I also have to agree with Rachel it is time to move on to other topics in the news. Surely there is something more important than the President's daughter to report about.
Posted by: Lauren Location: Coolidge on May 13, 2008 at 09:24 AM
But the weather did not ruin the wedding. They got lucky.
Posted by: I Love Weddings! Location: Temple on May 13, 2008 at 07:14 AM
Weddings are a time of celebration and fun. No matter how elegant or simple, they are beautiful affairs if love is involved. Just look at the faces of those involved! How nice to see some pictures from Jenna's wedding. And to think Central Texas as a whole played a part in their life-time memories. We are proud and happy for the family. This is something the Belton Marching Band won't forget for a long time! :) Ok, Rachel, there's enough negative reporting and news day in and day out. We don't need negative comments on a beautiful wedding as well! Just be glad it wasn't a huge gala affair at the White House!!
Posted by: Gix Gruen Location: Temple, Texas on May 12, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Evidently Rachel ate sour pickles todat. I think the wedding was low key and was handled superbly.It could have been a big all out affair, but Jenna wanted a simple day.Hurray for her.
Posted by: Rachel Location: Temple on May 12, 2008 at 05:13 PM
Can we not get a freakin' enough of Jenna Bush and her wedding? Move on, already. If she had stepped on her gown would we hear about that for days too? Oh, wait, someone will probably go try to find that out now!! Darn me for suggesting it
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