May 2008

Congratulations from the Publisher

On Saturday May 10, just as the sun is setting, 200 guests will be gathered at the Prairie Chapel ranch, a 1600 acre spread also known as the president’s western home. That’s when First Daughter Jenna Bush, 26, marries Henry Hager, 29, son of former Virginia Lt. Governor John Hager. Jenna joins the exclusive club of 22 other presidential children who married while their father’s were in office, with 9 being at the White House.

It’s not known when the happy couple first met but it is thought they were seeing each other in early 2004 and publicly became known as a couple during the inauguration festivities in 2007. On August 16, 2007, The White House Office of the First Lady Press Secretary Sally McDonough issued the statement, “President and Mrs. George W. Bush are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter, Jenna Bush, to Mr. Henry Hager, son of the Honorable and Mrs. John H. Hager of Richmond, Virginia. Miss Bush and Mr. Hager became engaged Wednesday, August 15, 2007.”

Though little detail has been provided by the White House, media interviews with First Lady Laura Bush and the bride-to-be have revealed that Jenna will be wearing an Oscar de la Renta matte beaded gown complete with a small train. Her 14 bridal attendants, including her sister Barbara who shares the title First Daughter and is Jenna’s Maid of Honor, will be wearing short dresses of green, blue, yellow and lavender created by Texas designer Lela Rose. Perfect for a spring wedding!

Jenna graduated from the University of Texas in 2004 and has had two books published, “Anna’s Story: A Journey of Hope” and, co-authored with her mother First Lady Laura Bush, “Read All About It”. Henry is in his final year obtaining his MBA degree in Business Administration at Virginia’s Darden School.

On behalf of everyone here at PrescottWeddings.com, I extend our heartiest best wishes to Jenna and Henry for a long and happy life together.

This Just In: Here Comes the ... Bridesmaid?

In ancient Rome, it was the custom for the Bride to have 10 people dress alike to witness the wedding to confuse any evil spirits or jealous suitors intent on marring the festivities. In early England, Bridesmaids would escort the Bride to her wedding to protect her from thieves after her dowry.

Probably as old as marriage itself, the custom of having Bridesmaids plays a prominent role on your special day. Though Bridesmaids are no longer chosen for their ability to protect, you still should select them carefully.

Choose people closest to you. Traditionally, the Bride’s sister is her Maid of Honor (or Matron if married). Have a best friend you grew up with or from your college days? Not to worry. It’s quite acceptable to have a Maid and a Matron of Honor to attend you. Just know you’ll have to select one to stand closest to you at the altar to hold your bouquet, etc. And, though not required, asking the sister of your fiancé makes for good family relations. Some Brides ask a male friend or relative – and why not? These days crossing genders is quite common. It’s all about who’s closest to you.

There’s no rule on the number of attendants you should have, nor does the Groom’s side have to equal the number on the Bride’s side. For a small informal wedding, you may just want a Maid of Honor. If it’s a large wedding, four to six Bridesmaids is common.

The attendant’s responsibilities and duties are dependant on how involved the Bride wishes them to be. Be clear about what you expect from them. To give them as much time as possible, contact them shortly after your engagement has been announced. Ideally you should ask in person but if that’s not possible, call. One Bride wanted to ask a potential Bridesmaid who lived more than 1200 miles away. She sent her a bouquet of flowers with a card asking her to be in her wedding party, and then followed up with a telephone call. E-mail invitations are too impersonal however, once the wedding party is assembled, e-mail is a great way to keep your Bridesmaids up-to-date on how the wedding plans are progressing.

All Bridal attendants should be prepared to buy their own dresses and accessories. (The Bride’s family furnishes the attendant’s bouquets in addition to any floral headdresses.) They are to promptly arrive and attend the Wedding Rehearsal, and must keep their fitting appointments. They may send a give to the Bridal Couple either individually or as a group or with their parents. Bridal attendants are invited to all parties given for the Bride or the Bridal Couple with the exception of office parties or special group parties. Bridal Attendants stand in the Receiving Line. (Groom Attendants and Ushers do not.)

To express your appreciation, it is customary to give each of your Bridal attendants a thank-you present, such as a necklace, or earrings, or a small handbag, or a box of spa items ... the list is almost endless.

Of course, your attendants will all agree that the most meaningful and lasting gift you gave them was being asked to fill such an important role on your wedding day.

Chuckles

One of the best things about marriage is that it gets young people to bed at a decent hour.

Here's a bonus chuckle for this month:

Car Accident in Texas

This is a voice clip of a guy who witnesses an accident while he's in the process of leaving a friend a voice-mail message. His laughter is absolutely contagious! If you close your eyes and picture what
he is watching, it is even better than a video clip!

Click here, turn up the sound and enjoy!

Quotable Women

"The more independent you want to be, the more generous you must be with yourself as a woman.”
      - Diane von Furstenberg, Fashion Designer (b. 1946)

A Little Zen

The map is not the territory.

To help you plan your wedding, keep you on a timeline customized to your wedding date, know what questions to ask, learn what’s in and trendy this season, and obtain other fabulous hints in pulling your wedding together, subscribe to PrescottWeddings.com free e-zine Making It Happen at http://www.prescottweddings.com/signup.html.

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