On September 12, 1953, a young U.S. senator and a dazzling socialite turned Newport, Rhode Island, into the stage of America’s own royal wedding. John F. “Jack” Kennedy, the 36-year-old war hero-turned-politician, married 24-year-old Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, the stylish former debutante whose elegance would soon make her a global icon.
Seven decades later, their wedding remains a symbol of glamour, legacy, and the kind of timeless romance that history never lets go of.
A Society Wedding That Stopped Newport
St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church was bursting at the seams that late-summer Saturday morning. Over 600 guests, including senators, diplomats, socialites, and family dynasties, watched as Jackie walked down the aisle to marry Jack. Outside, another 2,000 people lined the streets, craning their necks for a glimpse of the couple who would one day embody the mythic Camelot.
The ceremony carried the weight of tradition and political symbolism. Archbishop Richard Cushing presided, and a papal blessing from Pope Pius XII was read aloud, per the JFK archives. Archbishop Cushing was assisted by four priests, one of them the former president of Notre Dame and the head of the Christopher Society. With Ave Maria echoing through the sanctuary and the bride carrying a bouquet of orchids and gardenias, the scene felt like a coronation.
Jackie’s Dress: An Icon Born from Drama
Jackie’s ivory silk taffeta gown, designed by Ann Lowe, has gone down as one of the most famous wedding dresses in American history. With its portrait neckline, billowing skirt, and lace heirloom veil, it perfectly captured 1950s bridal grandeur.
But behind the fairytale look was a near disaster, as just days before the wedding, a flood destroyed Jackie’s gown and her bridesmaids’ dresses. Lowe and her team worked tirelessly to remake everything, a feat that nearly bankrupted her but secured her reputation for brilliance.
While Jackie privately thought the dress looked “like a lampshade,” per Vanity Fair, the world disagreed. Bridal trends in the 1950s were shaped by her wedding-day silhouette, and today, her look remains one of the most referenced in wedding fashion history. Only later was Lowe, an African American designer, properly recognized for her artistry, giving this dress not just beauty but lasting cultural significance.
Family, Politics, and Plenty of Glamour
The guest list was a who's-who of American politics and society. Jack’s brother Bobby stood as best man, and his siblings Ted and Jean took part in the bridal party. Jackie’s sister Lee and stepsister Nina served as her closest attendants, with younger relatives filling roles as flower girls and page boys.
The wedding wasn’t just about love; it was a union of dynasties. Joseph P. Kennedy saw the marriage as a political advantage for his son, while Jackie brought both social prestige and a modern sophistication that America craved in its leaders.
The Hammersmith Farm Reception
If the ceremony was sacred, the reception was pure spectacle. Held at Jackie’s stepfather’s estate, Hammersmith Farm, it drew over 1,200 guests to a sprawling lawn overlooking Narragansett Bay. Under a white tent, guests dined on creamed chicken in puff pastry and vanilla ice cream before watching the couple share their first dance to “I Married an Angel.”
According to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, the centerpiece was the five-tier wedding cake, commissioned by Joe Kennedy himself. Towering nearly four feet tall and filled with raspberry jam, it became so legendary that Jack requested the same recipe for his presidential inauguration gala years later.
A Legacy That Still Shines
The Kennedy wedding was image-making at its finest. Life magazine’s multi-page spread turned Jack and Jackie into household names, showcasing them as America’s glamorous golden couple. Years before the Camelot presidency, this was the moment that set the stage for their mythic status.
Today, the wedding is remembered not just for its opulence but for its cultural echoes, highlighting the resilience of Ann Lowe, the symbolism of dynastic unions, and the power of love wrapped in style and tradition. It remains a touchstone for modern brides and grooms who dream of timeless elegance.
Every September 12, we’re reminded of a moment when America had its own prince and princess. Jack and Jackie’s wedding reflected a nation stepping into prosperity, embracing youth, charm, and optimism. Seventy-two years later, the photos of Jackie’s veil caught in the breeze and Jack’s proud smile still feel alive.