John Edwards walks daughter down the aisle

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The oldest daughter of former U.S. Sen. John Edwards married her longtime boyfriend this weekend in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Cate Edwards and Trevor Upham were married at the University Methodist Church in Chapel Hill Saturday, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, N.C., reported.

John Edwards, who is facing felony charges related to receiving illegal campaign contributions allegedly used to cover up an affair, walked his daughter down the aisle.

"It's just great," said family friend Glenn Bergenfield. "[It] couldn't be a nicer, better day for the Edwards family."

After the ceremony, the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee left through the back of the church with a police escort.

"John is strong. He's got some hard times ahead, but today is a wonderful day and John feels delighted that Trevor is going to be Cate's husband," Bergenfield said.

The wedding came 10 months after Elizabeth Edwards, John Edwards' wife, died of breast cancer.

"The Edwards family, as the whole nation knows, has had its difficult times. This isn't one of them," Bergenfield said. "This is just a great day."