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They Jumped Into the Ocean! All the Not-Yet-Seen Special Photos in Barbara Bush’s Wedding Album

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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 and Sam Gillette

October 14, 2018 09:00 AM

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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.

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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.

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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.

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A Maine Meal

Paul Morse

All 20 guests fit around a single table for a dinner of Maine lobster and corn on the cob.

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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.

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A Loving Touch

Allison V. Smith

The bridegroom touched his new wife's shoulder during the post-wedding dinner.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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'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"

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A Loving Look

Allison V. Smith

"It’s just been a very sweet romance," Barbara said of their relationship.

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A Feline Momento

Allison V. Smith

Craig wore socks featuring Barbara's cat Eleanor.

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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.

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More Flowers

Allison V. Smith

Guests tossed lavendar rose petals.

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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."

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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."

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They Jumped Into the Ocean! All the Not-Yet-Seen Special Photos in Barbara Bush’s Wedding Album

1 of 16

Bridal White

1 of 16

2 of 16

A Modern Fairy Tale

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A Family Affair

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A Maine Meal

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Taking the Plunge

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A Loving Touch

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Cake for the Flower Girls

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Last-Minute Notes

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Flowers Galore

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'Wonderful World'

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A Loving Look

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A Feline Momento

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A New Home

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More Flowers

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Keeping Family Close

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Wedding Blessings

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