People.com Politics They Jumped Into the Ocean! All the Not-Yet-Seen Special Photos in Barbara Bush's Wedding Album The former first daughter shares intimate photos from her "short, sweet" wedding to Craig Coyne By Sandra Sobieraj Westfall Sandra Sobieraj Westfall Sandra Sobieraj Westfall is the White House and National Political Correspondent for PEOPLE. She also writes for and occasionally senior edits the magazine's Crime section and the brand's Let's Talk About It mental health series. Westfall joined PEOPLE in 2003 as Washington Bureau Chief and specializes in bringing readers inside the personal experience of political life. She twice won the White House Correspondents' Association Merriman-Smith Award for excellence in presidential reporting under deadline pressure (for her inside-the-room election night exclusives on the "snippy" phone call between Al Gore and George W. Bush in 2000; and the hear-a-pin-drop silent moment in 2008 when Barack Obama, holding his mother-in-law's hand, took in the news that he would be America's first Black president). Prior to joining PEOPLE, Westfall was a White House Correspondent for The Associated Press after beginning her career in Congress, where she wrote legislation on women's health, mental health, and domestic violence. A native of Rochester, New York, she received her Bachelor's degree in politics (with a certificate in Latin American studies) from Princeton University, and a Master's degree in journalism from Stanford University. People Editorial Guidelines and Sam Gillette Sam Gillette Sam Gillette is a books Writer/Reporter for People.com and People Magazine. She has been with the brand for six years, covering everything from celebrity memoirs to explosive White House tell-alls. Before she joined the PEOPLE team, Sam graduated with her Masters in Journalism from New York University. People Editorial Guidelines Published on October 14, 2018 09:00 AM Share Tweet Pin Email 01 of 16 Bridal White Allison V. Smith Barbara Bush, daughter of former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, tied the knot with her fiancé, screenwriter Craig Coyne, on Oct. 7 in an intimate secret wedding. The new bride gave PEOPLE the exclusive on some of the best photos from their special weekend. Here, the former first daughter, attended by her Matron of Honor (and twin sister) Jenna Bush Hager wears a gown by Vera Wang -- the first of three dresses. 02 of 16 A Modern Fairy Tale Allison V. Smith Barbara met screenwriter Craig Coyne on a blind date last November. During a visit to Maine, they were walking along the oceanside rocks when he suddenly dropped to his knee in the same spot where Barbara’s grandparents got engaged almost exactly 75 years earlier, in August 1943. "I didn't know Craig had found out the history. Of course, I cried -- and our cousins were spying from the windows taking pictures," she explained. 03 of 16 A Family Affair Allison V. Smith After Barbara’s father walked her down the aisle, the bride and groom exchanged vows in front of their immediate family, including former President Bush, 72, Mrs. Bush, 71, and Barbara’s grandfather, former President George H.W. Bush, 94. Barbara’s twin sister, Jenna Bush Hager, served as matron of honor, and her daughters, Margaret, 5, and Poppy, 3, were flower girls along with Coyne’s niece, Emma, 5. Poppy did double duty at the ceremony, also serving as the ring bearer. The bride’s aunt, Dorothy “Doro” Bush Koch, officiated. 04 of 16 A Maine Meal Paul Morse All 20 guests fit around a single table for a dinner of Maine lobster and corn on the cob. 05 of 16 Taking the Plunge Allison V. Smith Before dressing for their "I dos," the couple leapt into the Atlantic. "It was cold, but they wanted to do it," said a source. 06 of 16 A Loving Touch Allison V. Smith The bridegroom touched his new wife's shoulder during the post-wedding dinner. 07 of 16 Cake for the Flower Girls Allison V. Smith An attendee told PEOPLE that the Bush clan cut the cake before dinner was served — so the flower girls (Jenna Bush Hager’s daughters, Margaret, 5, and Poppy, 3, and Criag’s niece, Emma, 5) could eat cake before bedtime! 08 of 16 Last-Minute Notes Allison V. Smith Craig penned last-minute notes for his dinner toast, in which he teased his new father-in-law—and the former president's legendary mangling of some words— by using the word mis-underestimated, according to his new sister-in-law Jenna Bush Hager. 09 of 16 Flowers Galore Allison V. Smith Barbara may have only had five weeks to plan her wedding, but she made sure there was an abundance of fresh flowers. 10 of 16 'Wonderful World' Allison V. Smith An evening rain fell just as the couple stepped inside for their first dance—to Sam Cooke's "Wonderful World" 11 of 16 A Loving Look Allison V. Smith "It’s just been a very sweet romance," Barbara said of their relationship. 12 of 16 A Feline Momento Allison V. Smith Craig wore socks featuring Barbara's cat Eleanor. 13 of 16 A New Home Allison V. Smith Now that they're married, the couple will stop living across the country from each other. Craig has relocated from Los Angeles to live with Barbara in Manhattan. 14 of 16 More Flowers Allison V. Smith Guests tossed lavendar rose petals. 15 of 16 Keeping Family Close Paul Morse Barbara made sure to keep her 94-year-old grandfather, former President George H.W. Bush, close during the wedding celebrations. His wife, her grandmother former First Lady Barbara Bush, died in April of complications from pulmonary disease at age 92. "Craig didn’t get to meet my grandmother," she said. "I thought there would be plenty of time for that to happen." 16 of 16 Wedding Blessings Paul Morse Barbara's mom, Laura Bush, gave an emotional toast during the reception. Of a summer night long ago in Midland, Texas, when her babies were asleep in bed, Laura recalled: "Daddy and I were in our little backyard at twilight, and I thought, 'This is the life.' Well, Barbara and Craig: This is the life."