First lady Laura Bush today revealed that caterer ovens were overturned and a large tent was damaged by tornado-force winds on Friday night at President Bush's Crawford ranch, less than 24 hours before Jenna Bush's wedding.

Speaking to spouses of U.S. senators at a White House luncheon today, Mrs. Bush said the wedding on Saturday was "just perfect" but said "we did have a little, one setback on Friday night."

"While we were off in another town at the rehearsal dinner there was a tornado," she said, prompting laughter from a lunchtime crowd that was no doubt surprised at the revelation.

"So … all the catering ovens were turned over and the sides were ripped off the tent. But everyone worked wildly and you couldn't even tell the next night," Mrs. Bush said.

No mention was made by White House staff or the president over the weekend, though Mr. Bush did speak to reporters briefly yesterday before leaving Texas to return to Washington.

The rehearsal dinner for Jenna Bush and Henry Hager was held Friday evening at 6:30 p.m., in Salado, an hour south of Crawford.

Sally McDonough, the first lady's spokewoman, attended the rehearsal dinner at the Old Salado Springs Celebration Center, and told me by phone that the storm hit there as well.

"The storm really was very bad. We were at the rehearsal dinner and the sky was lighting up," Mrs. McDonough said.

Mrs. McDonough said she could not confirm whether a twister funnel actually touched down on the president's ranch, but said that those who were at the ranch said "there were hail size droppings on Crawford and there was damage across the area."

No injuries or serious structural damages were reported, Mrs. McDonough said.

— Jon Ward, White House correspondent, The Washington Times