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President Bush describes his daughter Jenna's wedding as 'spectacular'

By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WACO, Texas - President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush didn't share their daughter's wedding with the world on Saturday.

But Bush eagerly shared their joy on Sunday over the marriage of daughter Jenna to Henry Hager, telling reporters he and his wife feel "mighty blessed."

Bush, speaking as he and his wife boarded Air Force One for their return to Washington, called Saturday evening nuptials "spectacular."

He said their daughter and new son-in-law exchanged vows just as the sun set at the president's Texas ranch. Bush referred to the new bride as "our little girl Jenna" and declared his new son-in-law to be "a really good guy"

A White House official confirmed by e-mail at 9:28 p.m. EDT Saturday that the two were married.

Then a party ensued as more than 200 family and friends were entertained by the Tyrone Smith Revue, a 10-piece party band from Nashville, Tenn.

The closely guarded affair at the 650-hectare ranch was very different from other first family weddings like Luci Baines Johnson's in 1966, which was watched by millions.

But the newlyweds wanted privacy, so they didn't invite reporters or allow television cameras to film the nuptials, which are now part of presidential history.

But it wasn't a complete media blackout. In recent days, the president, first lady and White House spokesmen dribbled out details about the bride's dress, the ring, the wedding attire and pre-wedding events.

It was part of a communications strategy to disclose bits of information, but keep the wedding from becoming a media circus.