May 12, 2008 · filed under dc, wedding

44
comments

mazel tov jenna and henry

Some people review books. Others review products. Today, dear readers, we are going to review a wedding. First Daughter Jenna Bush’s wedding, to be precise.

I’ve made my support for Democrats pretty clear, and I’m no fan of Mr. President GWB. However, I’m not afraid to say, despite the fact I don’t know her, I really like Jenna Bush. When she was going through her collegiate drinking antics, so was I. Granted, I never got arrested, but I lived in New Orleans, where basically nothing is illegal.

When I moved to DC, the Bush twins were also in DC. They kept a low profile; I liked that. I think it’s pretty cool that of all the things Jenna could have done career-wise, she became a DC public charter school teacher (and the school wasn’t in ritzy Georgetown or anything). Then she did UNICEF work and wrote a book about an HIV-positive single mother in Panama….and, damn, the girl is sounding more like a globally-minded liberal activist than a princess of privilege.

Jenna got married on Saturday at her family’s ranch in Texas. She could have chosen a fancypants DC wedding at the White House with 600+ guests, but instead she chose a relatively small (for the daughter of the leader of the free world!), relatively simple affair.

Okay, and maybe I’m just a little biased. Because this photo:

Kinds reminds me of my own wedding:

ja291.jpg

Except my arms are not as skinny. Dangit!

I think Jenna’s dress was so pretty, and I loved that her hair was not-too-updone (unlike Mrs. Cindy McCain — good lord what is with that hair, woman?). Don’t you agree?

Mostly, I think you can just feel the love in these photos. This looks like the wedding of a truly happy couple, not two kids who just want to play dress up and put on a good show.

Plus, the pastor who married them endorsed Barack Obama. Too funny, really.

I do have one little tiny thing I’d like to mention though. What the heck was up with twin sister Barbara’s floral head wreath? Is this a Texas thing I never learned about? Did Jenna want to make sure that her twin wouldn’t outshine her own beauty? Did a bird build a nest on her head during the benediction? Somebody please explain!!!

barbarabush.jpg

I say: Best wishes to the happy couple! What do you all think?

44 Comments

  1. Ellen
    May 12, 2008 11:31 pm

    I hadn’t noticed the hairpiece, but in some photos I’ve seen of the family (this one for instance) Barbara’s dress looked almost white. And that is so. not. right. Jenna’s dress is lovely, though.

  2. Maria
    May 12, 2008 11:38 pm

    I think Jenna Bush’s wedding was just right. With today’s troubled economic times, such consolidated wealth would have surely been criticized had she had a White House wedding.

    She looked lovely, and it looks like a lovely ceremony. Congrats to the happy couple.

  3. Chiada
    May 12, 2008 11:44 pm

    I think it’s a case of her head blending in with the background, lol. Yeah, she’s wearing a flower wreath. And the toga-style dress along with the wreath make her look like she’s trying to bring back the Socrates look. I’d be more scared of my boob flopping out the side of my dress, though. Jenna’s dress, though? To die for. She looks lovely and glowy.

  4. Sandy
    May 12, 2008 11:47 pm

    I know what you mean. I was really pleasantly surprised when I read about the wedding & saw the pictures. Very beautiful and low key compared to what I was expecting, that’s for sure!

  5. Fishing Around
    May 13, 2008 12:01 am

    Her dress was lovely!!! So was yours!

    I know what you mean: I don’t know her but I’ve grown to really like her!

  6. Megan
    May 13, 2008 12:20 am

    I loved Jenna’s dress and thought she had a beautiful wedding. I also read somewhere that they decided to get married on the ranch because they wanted somewhere that they (and their future children, or whoever) could come back and visit, someplace that felt more like “theirs” than the White House, and I found that incredibly sweet. Oh, and just like you, as much as I might think her father is a tremendous idiot, I do admire her and what she’s chosen to do with her life. :-)

  7. Jenni
    May 13, 2008 12:24 am

    I agree. The wedding looked beautiful…and so down to earth. Jenna looked gorgeous in that dress! They just look so cute & happy!

    I think that Barbara looks funny all around in the pic above…she just looks awkward.

    Oh, btw, I think you looked just as beautiful at your wedding! :)

  8. Emily
    May 13, 2008 12:24 am

    I have to admit, her dress was gorgeous and I like the color of Henry’s tie.

  9. Wickedly Scarlett
    May 13, 2008 12:32 am

    I love Jenna’s dress and the limestone cross that they were married in front of is so simple and stunning. They look so happy and that makes me happy!

  10. Larissa
    May 13, 2008 1:45 am

    Young Barbara has always weirded me out.

    I really do love how their wedding photos are so down to earth and normal!

  11. Jennifer
    May 13, 2008 3:57 am

    It’s all very beautiful except…
    I think that what they say about a daughter finding a mate that reminds them of their father is true true true in this case. I mean, look at the ears!

  12. AuburnKat
    May 13, 2008 7:09 am

    I absolutely loved her dress and hair!

  13. Viviane
    May 13, 2008 7:27 am

    I’m no Bush fan either but that does look like a nice wedding. Sounds like his daughter isn’t too bad of a person. But oh my, you can see she is his daughter, particularly in the last picture.

  14. Stephanie
    May 13, 2008 8:08 am

    Wait no mention of poor Barbara and her awkward pose? What exactly is she doing?

  15. Jen
    May 13, 2008 8:31 am

    I agree–I really like her! She seems very laid back & down to earth, and I love that they had such a relaxed wedding (though she did wear Oscar de la Renta!!).

  16. Lele
    May 13, 2008 8:39 am

    I guess I never gave the Bush girls much notice, but now that you bring up their relatively low profiles, I kind of appreciate that about them.

    The dress was lovely, the hair lovely, the ambiance lovely, but the father of the bride douchey. What a grin he has!

  17. Alexa
    May 13, 2008 8:57 am

    I think Babs was going for the Greek Goddess look… I imagine this was a Jenna-approved look, twins dont let twins wear unapproved head pieces and gowns.

    Any word on where the couple is going to live?

  18. janssen
    May 13, 2008 8:57 am

    I LOVE her dress too. Totally gorgeous and perfect for an outdoor wedding.

  19. Playful Professional
    May 13, 2008 9:02 am

    The other thing that I don’t really get is why her twin was wearing a white dress too. Out of all of the colors, why white?

  20. RA
    May 13, 2008 9:09 am

    What with my new carpool departure time, I don’t have time to watch the Today show like I used to, but these photos really caught my eye. What can I say? I am a sucker for a v-neck dress, and I loved how rustic things looked. Nice review, Janet!

  21. alexa
    May 13, 2008 9:10 am

    testing my gravatar

  22. Elizabeth
    May 13, 2008 9:40 am

    I agree with you: Jenna seems like the nicest person and their wedding looks like it was sweet and genuine between two people really in love. I wish them the best.
    I remember hearing about the twins’ drinking escapades a while back and then just last year Jenna was on the Today Show talking about her book. That really surprised me. She spoke about her book and her teaching and time in Africa and a very little about her fiance, but she was smart and well-spoken and very genuine. I admire what she has done.

  23. Edge
    May 13, 2008 9:47 am

    Do you think “W” calls his new son-in-law Hank? “Hey, uhhh , uhhh, Hank, you seen any o’ em WMD’s? I been looking for ‘em for, uhhhh, awhile.”

    ~Jef

  24. Erin
    May 13, 2008 9:53 am

    Jenna’s dress looks absolutely lovely! That’s very similar to the one that I want. Dangit!

    I’m happy for them and hope that all goes well for the new couple.

  25. Laurel
    May 13, 2008 10:16 am

    I ADORE Jenna’s wedding dress. I’m not into all the intricate embroidery, but the shape is awesome.

    Barbara looks super weird in all of the photos. Besides the floral wreath (super weird!), she is doing this weird, arched-back pose in every photo! Weird!

    I love that their pastor endorsed Obama!

    Wonkette (I think) had the funniest commentary on the photos. Next to a shot of GWB and Jenna they wrote “Jenna’s Dad, not embarrassing her (or the ENTIRE COUNTRY) for once”

  26. Marriage-101
    May 13, 2008 10:23 am

    First, I never knew you lived in New Orleans?!

    Second, I’m not fan of the Bushs either, but I did think it looked like a very low-key event, considering the shindig she could have had. She kept it classy.

    Third, not only is that head thing atrocious, but that dress isn’t cute either. (Her sister’s, not Jenna’s)

  27. Operation Pink Herring
    May 13, 2008 10:25 am

    I have no opinion on Jenna, but her dress, hair, wedding all look beautiful. I wonder if she’d let me borrow that dress.

  28. Marriage-101
    May 13, 2008 10:28 am

    PS Did you see the monstrosity on Sarah Jessica Parker’s head at the London premiere of SATC?

  29. Laurie
    May 13, 2008 10:33 am

    Jenna Bush is a total closet liberal – I love it! I loved Laura Bush’s MOB look – I thought she was stunning. I too was really puzzled by Barbara’s “crown” and white dress. Maybe Jenna will show her up on Bab’s big day:)

  30. Nilsa S.
    May 13, 2008 10:36 am

    Putting politics to the side, I’ve always said GW is someone who’d be a hoot to throw back a few drinks with. Both he and his family look so at ease at this wedding. It’s almost like you know this marriage will last. And like you, I’m highly impressed with Jenna’s professional choices. Now, I like to think having drinks with the whole family would be fun. I’m sure that wedding was amazing.

  31. Julie
    May 13, 2008 11:23 am

    I loved her dress too and I agree that it was a very classy wedding.

    WTF is up with Bab’s floral headpiece???
    I never noticed it.

  32. katelin
    May 13, 2008 1:59 pm

    I’m not a GW fan either, but just like you I am a fan of Jenna and what I’ve heard about her. And her wedding pictures are pretty gorgeous, I agree. And I also agree with you about her sister, WTF with the florals? weird. And the fact that she wore a whiteish gown, isn’t that a wedding no no? Oh well.

  33. Aleta
    May 13, 2008 2:29 pm

    I thought Jenna looked gorgeous, too. Love her dress—and yours! Your dress is a little similar to my own!

  34. Erika
    May 13, 2008 2:44 pm

    I agree. I wish her new hubby wasn’t the son of some powerful Republican but I like her and I hope it’s for real.

  35. jaclyn
    May 13, 2008 2:57 pm

    great post. Ever since I heard Jenna and Henry got engaged at one of my favorite places, Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park in Maine, I’ve been following them and thinking ‘gee, they seem very normal and down to earth.’ The wedding was understated and pretty (judging from the pictures) and such a nice change from the overblown celebrity marriages we’re always being inundated with.

  36. Heidi
    May 13, 2008 3:04 pm

    I like Jenna Bush…i really enjoyed the dateline special that they had on her (or was it 20/20?) just before her book came out. It made her seem very down to earth.

    her sisters dress? wtf is with the silver bia…a lil too close to white for comfort and the flower wreath thing has got. to. go.

    and i agree the wedding? seemed very nice and very modest for what she could have had. I appreciate that in a first daughter :)

  37. L
    May 13, 2008 3:46 pm

    I think the color of Barbara’s dress is just different in the picture. I heard it was a light blue with a shimmer. I don’t mind the head wreath; I just think that particular picture makes her look awkward. Jenna seems like a wonderful person, and I admire her for the work she has done with UNICEF and the wonderful book she wrote. It looks like they raised their children well.

  38. Abbie
    May 13, 2008 4:21 pm

    Well since you put it LIKE THAT. I think it’s pretty neat too. Really? A charter school teacher???

    And pastor who endorsed Obama??

  39. Brie
    May 13, 2008 10:27 pm

    Love Jenna’s dress and elegant wedding. I agree, what’s up with the floral headpiece, weird dress for her twin?
    I appreciate that they’ve pretty much kept a low profile. Good for them for doing things they believe in and making a difference- not resting on family laurels.

  40. Zandria
    May 13, 2008 10:58 pm

    Hahaha! I liked the wedding review. I actually agree with you. I find it hard to dislike Jenna even though I don’t like her father. I like that she had a low-key wedding. (And yes, her sister’s floral head thing is quite scary. I have no idea what’s up with that…)

  41. mel
    May 13, 2008 11:01 pm

    I saw two pictures with Barbara (the twin) in it. And in both, she is posing awkwardly. And that head wreath? WHAT? She kind of screams “I want attention! Look here!” She was always my favorite of the two, but I have to say Jenna is now…Especially because it sounds like she is nothing like her father. :D

    That wedding was just so perfectly elegant.

  42. Marisa
    May 14, 2008 10:28 am

    Jenna looks gorgeous and happy. Hubby does too.

    Laura Bush always freaks me out. Her stare is so wide-eyed and plasticky.

    I know you heard Jenna on Larry King right? She pretty much admitted she wasn’t voting for McCain in Nov. Her mom totally cut her off and started reaffirming her love for the ol’ GOP. I bet Jenna likes Obama!

  43. JP
    May 14, 2008 1:05 pm

    I love that you reviewed the wedding… I think it could be another blog “thing” for you!

    I agree with you on the wedding. They looked beautiful and in love. Jenna looks so much like her mom in the shot of her from the back.

  44. LPW
    May 14, 2008 8:13 pm

    This is definitely not a Texas thing. It looks like she is going for the whole Greek-goddess thing, but definitely not a Texas thing. Just wanted to be clear about that… :)