Ralph Lauren is due to host the Bush political dynasty at his Colorado ranch for the lavish wedding of his son David to Lauren Bush this weekend.
David will marry Lauren, the granddaughter and niece of former presidents George H.W. and George W. Bush, at the fashion icon’s 17,000-acre ranch on Sunday.
Ralph and wife Ricky have planned days of festivities around the wedding — a picnic and softball game on Saturday, a rehearsal dinner Saturday night and a rodeo on Monday. The events will take place in Telluride with the wedding itself at the scenic Rocky Mountain ranch called Double RL, which includes a saloon, teepees and cabins, and is where parts of John Wayne’s “True Grit” were filmed.
A source told us, “The dress code for the wedding is black tie with a Western twist, which fits in with the romantic surroundings and both families’ American roots.” Ralph recently told Oprah Winfrey, “I’m not a cowboy and don’t pretend to be one, but I love the West.”
Among the 200 guests expected include David’s sister, Dylan Lauren, and Lauren’s father, Neil Bush. Her grandfather George H.W. and former First Lady Barbara Bush, currently at Walker’s Point in Maine, will not attend, possibly because of the ranch’s altitude. A rep for George H.W. Bush told us, “They are not going to be able to make the trip to Colorado this weekend.” A spokesman for George W. would not comment if he and wife Laura will attend.
Mother of the bride, Sharon Bush, who went through a tough divorce battle with Neil in 2003 after 23 years, will be escorted by her friend, dapper New York-based bachelor Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia.
FEED projects founder Lauren — whose dress has been designed by Ralph Lauren — recently said she’ll take her husband’s famous second name: “I think it will be Lauren Bush-Lauren. I am sort of old-fashioned in that way.”