Jenna Bush is getting married

Saturday, in an Oscar de la Renta gown with twin sister Barbara at her side, Jenna Bush, 26, will marry 29-year-old business school student Henry Hager at her parents' Central Texas ranch.


Celebrating their marriage at the president's secluded ranch is an effective way to keep it private. The property is guarded by local law enforcement and Secret Service agents, with fencing, roadblocks, surveillance cameras, an overhead no-fly zone and more.



Despite the best efforts of her parents and the Secret Service to shield her, Jenna Bush has grown up before the country's eyes, from boisterous college party girl to earnest teacher and author.


The White House is being secretive about the ceremony, secretive even by the opaque Bush administration standards.


Still, some details have leaked out. About 200 guests will gather Saturday at a remote location for a security sweep and transport to the ranch.

Jenna and Henry will be married at twilight in front of a limestone altar and cross near a man-made lake on the property.

Jenna's dress is organza with embroidery, beading and a small train. Barbara, serving as maid of honor, will wear a moonstone-blue silk gown with an open back. Fourteen friends will serve in the house party, wearing custom gowns of cocktail length in shades of Texas wildflowers.

Getting married at the ranch was Jenna's idea. It was a move that deprived the nation of a White House wedding. The last presidential daughter to get married at the White House was Tricia Nixon in 1971.

Even during their brief residencies in Washington, Jenna and Barbara never lived in the White House. It's not home to them. And having the wedding at the White House probably would have meant more news media presence.



As for the wedding, the menu, the vows and the guest list have all been guarded like state secrets. Don't bother asking about a honeymoon. (They are going to Europe.)





After the wedding, Jenna and Henry are expected to settle in Baltimore, where they recently bought a $440,000 home in a historic neighborhood.